Putting together a brand-new urban art and music festival, as Christian Pelletier and a gang of volunteers did in 2015, is definitely challenging. But it was also “super exciting,” he said.
Up Here Urban Art and Music Festival is now on its third edition — if the event were in high school, it'd be in its junior year — and is coming up Aug. 18-20 in downtown Sudbury.
Popular with the millennial hipster crowd, the festival features 30 of Canada's best up-and-coming musical acts performing over 10 venues, as well as two muralists and 12 local artists creating 14 new pieces of public art.
“Announcing it is the easy part, but pulling it off, it's really challenging,” Pelletier said.
“We really do try to push the envelope and challenge our audiences a lot by bringing in things they don't see in other festivals in the area.”
Given the festival took a bit of a financial hit in its second edition because of less-than-ideal weather, Up Here 3 is a bit scaled back, with many of the venues moved inside or to Memorial Park instead of setting up on blocked-off streets.
But that doesn't mean it'll be any less awesome, Pelletier said. He's hoping for packed venues and lots of excited festival-goers.
In a nutshell, here's what's happening:
-Friday, Aug. 18 – Check out musical acts Whoop-Szo, Duchess Says and Deerhoof at Fuse Nightclub from 8 p.m. on, Fashionism and The Fleshtones at the Townehouse Tavern from 11 p.m. on and Eyeballs, Bernardino Femminielli and Ice Cream at Little Montreal from 11 p.m. on.
-Saturday, Aug. 19 – The Saturday of the festival features activities in several different venues. There's family activities in Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with mini-murals and more presented by Carrefour Francophone and live musical performances by Tofino, The Ape-ettes, Sparx and Samito.
Zig's hosts an all-ages punk show from 5-7 p.m. Starring Teenanger, Kommissars, Doxx and DJ Smoke Weed Guy, then the venue is turned over to the grownups, with Cri and Telecolour performing from 11 p.m. on.
Fuse Nightclub hosts Yamantaka, Sonic Titan, Lido Pimienta and Fevers from 8:30 p.m. on. The Townehouse Tarvern hosts The Fleshtones, Dany Laj, The Looks and Dirty Princes from 11:30 p.m. on.
-Sunday, Aug. 20 – Michelle Nox performs at Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario after the bars close from 2-3 a.m. Sunday morning.
After hopefully catching a bit of sleep, there's a 3D show by Dear Criminals at Theatre Cambrian from 2-4 p.m. Sunday.
-Pop-up shows – We can't tell you when these shows are happening, because you'll only know at the spur of the moment. Download Up Here's app so you don't miss out on spontaneous shows on rooftops, underground chambers and more.
-Public art – Acclaimed Canadian artist Jarus is painting a portrait of a miner as a homage to his grandfather at the corner of Lisgar and Larch streets, and Franco-Ontarian Métis artist Mique Michelle has created a mural depicting a great blue heron on Ste. Anne Road. Also, 24 electrical utility boxes will be painted by local artists.
For tickets or more information on any of the artists or events mentioned above, visit the festival's website, Facebook page or download the Up Here app.
