Break out your dancing shoes and book off the fourth weekend in July because the Festival of Freedom at the Forks is back for its third consecutive year. The Boundary country heats up this summer to welcome "unplugged” and “full-band” musical entertainment by well-known recording artists and local talent alike. Last year this three day, community sponsored event showcased acts by 54-40, Aaron Pritchett, Sue Medley and other performers committed to the Festival’s mission. The festival is dedicatedto building cultures of peace, and respect for human dignity and ecological integrity, because we cherish our personal freedoms, value our civil rights and recognize our individual and common responsibility to leave a better world for future generations. Perhaps as never before in our history, we the people are confronted with a choice. Either we carry on as usual, accepting violence, racism, war, social or economic injustice, and environmental degradation, until we exhaust or destroy ourselves, and the planet that sustains us – or we can begin to make a conscious change in the way we think, live and relate to one another and to our environment. We can begin to redirect our human, natural, and financial resources to build better communities and a better world. The entertainment kicks off Thursday July 21 with a free evening street dance downtown for the youth and young at heart.

Before the main site opens at 4:00p.m. Friday, why not enjoy the local pastime and have a float down the gentle Kettle River. After working up an appetite, stop for a bite in town and check out the local sponsors. Friday night the main stage opens with soulful vocals and rockin’ guitar by Reid Jamison, followed by Courtney Wing. The Streels, all the way from Newfoundland, present a high-energy repertoire of traditional East Coast, Irish, Scottish and original tunes and songs played on acoustic instruments.

Wil, the force behind a unique electroacoustic songwriting style, is beautifully showcased on his major label debut, “Both Hands”. This eleven song album offsets Wil’s commanding vocals, and strong intricate guitar playing with delicate piano and cello embellishments. Whistler Pique Magazine said, “Few artists offer the hyperactive, kick glasses off the table raw energy as Wil.” Gary Comeau and the Voodoo Allstars can give him a good run for his money though, with their hot and spicy New Orleans rockin’ roots and blues. Take the rhythm of the Maritime Acadian music, season well with Louisiana zydeco blues, add a twist of Highway 61 era Dylan, serve it up with great showmanship, and you’ve got the vibe. Country veteran Lisa Brokop headlines the Friday night lineup. This accomplished and award winning performer, singer and songwriter is no longer the shy, quiet girl caught in the whirlwind of early success. She has found her true voice-one of passion, one with soul and one that is unmistakably her own.

Saturday afternoon is aswarm with activities. Take in any number of free workshops, discover treasures as you browse the vendor tables, sample a variety of vegetarian and ethnic cuisine, explore the aboriginal display all the while listening to the sounds of Kevin Kane (former Grapes of Wrath), Dragonflies, Kettle River Drive and Dennis Lakusta.

Drop the kids off at our free Kid’s Corner for storytelling, face painting or a bounce in the inflatable castle. New to the Festival this yearis an international Eco Art Expo. In keeping with the Festival theme, all entries are designed from recycled trash. Saturday night, enjoy performances by Linda McRae and Friends, followed by the spirited rhythms of Jamphibian and then Rodney Decroo and the Killers. Vancouver’s own Freeflow has been distributing its brand of funk-soul brother for the past five years. Anything goes, from punk to funk, live to sample, structure to stream, hip-hop to reggae.

Performance is a key element of the Freeflow experience and with the release of their first CD, “Barfly Sessions”; it’s become dancing room only at Vancouver’s larger live venues. The energy continues as Kinnie Starr blends elements of hip-hop, pop, rock, and electronica into what can best be described as a triphop cocktail. The Globe and Mail said,“Starr’s got attitude to spare, she sounds like she’s digested every subculture from 1950 to the present... She’s definitely an original.” “Kinnie is going to be a huge star because she is so emotionally real, vulnerable, articulate, and talented-things many people fear greatly in themselves, and thus look for in others. People are going to glorify her in an insanely ridiculous way.”- WIG Magazine. Canadian rock and roll veterans, April Wine headline Saturday night with 32 years of platinum rock favorites and power ballads. The line-up today remains all original, Myles Goodwyn, Brian Greenway, Jerry Mercer and Jim Clench. Their music bridges generations and is as hot today as it was in ’69 when they first broke onto the scene. A multi-faith ceremony will be held Sunday morning, followed by multicultural performances by Vision of Peace Doukhobor Youth Choir, Grand Forks Irish Dancers, Dennis Lakusta (First Nations) and Tandava. Tandava is a contemporary world music ensemble inspired by the folk and classical music of India and Bangladesh, with influences from China, the Middle East, Africa and the West. Exotic instruments like
the erhu, tablas, dotara and gimbri combine with expressive improvisation to create a one of a kind experience. Jambanja, with their high-spirited rhythms of Zimbabwe, ignite a passionate joy of expression that evokes a unity of spirit amongst those joining them.

The layered, weaving rhythms emerging through voice and instrument of this six member marimba, dance and drum ensemble first mesmerize and then lure the listener into dance. And keep the dancing going for the “aggressive” Canadian folk music of the Buccaneers. They see themselves as the hardiest, most harmonious band of pirates ever to hoist their flag on Calgary’s shores. What they lack in geographical savvy, they more than make up for with tight four-part harmony and disarming chemistry. Their passion for performance and intermittent goofy jokes create an air of infectious energy you won’t want to miss. Tango Paradiso is an exciting and vibrant ensemble based on the classic Argentinean tango instrumentation of bandoneon, violin, guitar and bass. The group is dedicated to performing traditional and post-modern tango music in a unique way, from tango classics, to their own, tango influenced arrangements of jazz and newmusic. They have performed to sold out concerts at two Du Maurier Jazz Festivals and their debut CD “Tango Paradiso” was nominated for a 2002 West Coast Music Award as Best World Release. With vendors, workshops and Kid’s Corner continuing all day, there’s plenty to entertain the whole family all in one place.

For more information check out the website www.freedomrocks.ca or contact the festival office at 1-877-442-5661. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.ca or charge by phone 250-860-1470. Weekend passes are $80, Friday $35, Saturday $35 and Sunday $25. Kids 12 and under get in free and onsite camping is available.

Check out the website:www.freedomrocks.ca
Buy tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca