Running Sept. 25 to Oct. 5, the fifth annual festival continues its tradition of providing low-cost or free interactive art experiences that engage and entertain, but through a more intimate format in keeping with current health protocols.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Sept. 23, 2020 – Coquitlam’s Kaleidoscope Arts Festival launches Friday with opportunities for people of all ages to see, hear and experience arts and culture in person.
Running Sept. 25 to Oct. 5, the fifth annual festival continues its tradition of providing low-cost or free interactive art experiences that engage and entertain, but through a more intimate format in keeping with current health protocols. Under the theme of Community Intersections, a variety of pre-registered small-group activities are being offered indoors and outdoors around the city, including a public art scavenger hunt, LED cirque show, multimedia video projection, performances, art-making and more.
Kaleidoscope was shifted from August to September this year to coincide with Culture Days, a national celebration of arts and culture.
Spot the Salmon Sept. 25 to Oct. 5
You may have seen them around Coquitlam: the colourful handpainted salmon sculptures installed in parks and public spaces in 2016 as a legacy of the City’s 125th anniversary. Residents now have a chance to check out the sculptures through the Spot the Salmon Scavenger Hunt from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5.
Register for free at www.coquitlam.ca/scavengerhunt and answer questions about the sculptures to be entered to win $100 or $50 gift cards from Coquitlam Centre and Opus Art Supplies. Visit the webpage for details and registration, and RSVP to the Spot the Salmon Facebook event page for reminders.
Attend the Official Opening Sept. 26
Two unique art experiences are in store at Illuminate the Night, the official launch of Kaleidoscope at Pinetree Community Centre this Saturday night. Registration ($2 per person, must be 19 years) is required for showtimes at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. through www.coquitlam.ca/kaleidoscope.
Based on the themes of community spirit and resilience, the show includes:
- The captivating space-age LED cirque performance Lumadrome – The Circus of Tomorrow by NZR Productions, featuring a cast from out of this world along with state-of-the-art LED lighting and music, and
- A dynamic and thought-provoking outdoor multimedia art video projection, Journey of Resilience by artist Candelario Andrade of Rough House Productions. With a combination of images, visual effects, colour, words and music, the video tells the story of Coquitlam’s journey from the days of pandemic isolation through to today, when people can again connect in person but in new ways.
For those who cannot attend, the multimedia art video projection will stream on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. on Coquitlam’s Youtube and Facebook channels and at www.coquitlam.ca/kaleidoscope.
Create and Experience Art in Person Oct. 3
Families, youth and adults can immerse themselves in the arts at four in-person activities held around Coquitlam Oct. 3. Pre-registration is required at $2 per person through www.coquitlam.ca/kaleidoscope.
- Stories by the Stream, outdoors at Hoy Creek Hatchery (Family-oriented, 1 to 3 p.m.) – Join local contemporary artist J Peachy for storytelling, music and puppetry outdoors at the salmon rearing pond.
- Neurographic Art, inside Victoria Community Hall (Youth and adults, 12 to 4 p.m.) – Create neurographic art by combining shapes and embracing imperfection in a guided session while enjoying live harp music.
- The Artful Ordinary & Stories on Wheels, outdoors at Mundy Park / Fieldhouse (Family-oriented, 12 to 4 p.m.) – Explore how household objects evolved over time, create art masterpieces with deconstructed objects and see a wooden bicycle set the stage for a cultural performance.
- Drawing with Ozobots, on the Innovation Centre patio (Family-oriented, 12 to 4 p.m.) – Get an introduction to beginner coding and learn how to program a small Ozobot robot to follow the lines of your artwork while enjoying scenic views of Lafarge Lake. Participants will receive a bird house painting kit to take home at the end of the session.
Visit www.coquitlam.ca/kaleidoscope.for event details.
About Culture Days
Culture Days is a Canada-wide celebration where arts, culture and creativity intersect. Reimagined in 2020 to engage and delight despite the times, Culture Days has extended beyond the traditional weekend to a four-week interactive, immersive arts and culture experience happening across Canada from Sept. 25 to Oct. 25 online and in-person where possible. For information or to search for events near you, visit www.culturedays.ca.
Supporting Our Community During the Pandemic
The City of Coquitlam is here to help, with these resources:
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/csrp to learn about the City’s Community Support and Recovery Plan, which is supporting the non-profit sector, businesses and residents through the pandemic;
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/spirit for a free library of activities for all ages, including fitness, arts and culture, outdoor activities and ways to connect with your community; and
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19 for updates on City services and initiatives and COVID-19 health resources.
Coquitlam residents and businesses are also encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information. Links are available at www.coquitlam.ca/connect.
Media contact
Karen Basi
Cultural Services Manager
604-927-6962
Email