Festival History
The History of the Bengough Municipal Arts Council and the Annual Gateway Festival2009: 5th Annual Gateway Festival:
high quality performers from across Canada and beyond including numerous high profile award winners, and increase in cultural representation both regionally and nationally. Performers include: The Road Hammers, Constantines, George Leach, Land of Talk, The Higgins, Ridley Bent, Matt Andersen, Nathan, Pacific Curls, Robert Michaels, Kutapira, Fransaskois Connection, Skavenjah, Carrie Catherine and more...
new initiatives in programming:
- 3 stages, full professional production and presentation continue
- community outreach: a short concert is held at the long term care facility on the first day of the festival featuring Matt Andersen (NB), Kamila Martel (SK) and Eliza Dolittle (SK)
- expansion of Gateway to the World Pavilion: more cultures represented. Higher profile of Francophone and Aboriginal performers on the Mainstage and in the Gateway to the World Pavilion
- 3 performer workshops
- mentorship workshop, interactive workshops and networking opportunities for young performers
- increase in community partnerships and volunteerism...9 communities involved, 253 volunteers
- youth street team is formed
- hire summer student through support from Federal Government
- over 50 % of performers are from Saskatchewan
- Daily bus service from Regina provided
- initiation of pre-event fundraisers...
- Volunteer Chill Tent provided free coffee, juices, sweets and information
- Year Round Programming: 7 concerts, 4 visual art shows
development continues. More high quality Performers with increased representation from more provinces, including Doc Walker (MB), Greg Keelor (ON), Shane Yellowbird (AB), Ndidi Onukwulu (BC), Wil (AB), Paul Cargnello (QE), Eleye de Cuba, The Remains (Australia), and more...
In total 45 groups, 146 performers: 4 International (15 performers), 36 National, 50 Provincial and 45 local.
Addition of Japanese Pavilion and further development of daytime programming.
- Festival attendance: 3,000 over the weekend
- Volunteers: 175
- Board Development: move towards paid staff: Artistic Director, Music Industry consultant, Technical Production
- Strategic Plan/capacity building project
- Charity Status attained
- Professional Development of Board and Staff
- Increase in Community Partnerships
- Expansion of year round programming: 11 concerts, 3 visual art shows and workshops
expanded to 3 days, headliners include: Jeff Healey Blues Band, Emerson Drive, Fred Penner. In total, 5 International/National performers, 22 provincial and 37 local.
- increase in children's activities
- mini mosaic, artisans, Gospel Concert and Big Muddy Valley Tours
- Volunteers: 150
- Year round programming: Short Film Screening of U of R Film Students, Concert: Jacob & Lily (MB) and Intergalactic Virgin (SK)
- Showcase of Emerging Artists: 18 bands perform in Regina and Bengough
- OSAC Stars for Saskatchewan Series: 3 concerts, Arts on the Move: 3 visual art shows, workshops, Annual adjudicated music festival, Christmas Cantata
expanded to 2 days with headliners, The Cruzeros (BC) and Skavenjah (SK). Professional judges from the music industry for the Emerging Artist Showcase.
Event now includes: Children's activities, workshops, youth talent, jam sessions, Old Tyme Music, Fire Dancing, Djembe Drumming and off site events.
- community partnerships established
- Volunteers: 75
- attendance: 1400 over the two days
- regular programming: OSAC Stars for Saskatchewan Series (3 concerts), Arts on the Move, Christmas Cantata, volunteer appreciation concert, Adjudicated music festival.
one day event to promote emerging artists. Evening concert by Corb Lund (AB)
- Volunteers: 20
- attendance: 500
- regular season: OSAC Stars for Saskatchewan and Arts on the Move, Christmas Cantata
- Sept. 20th, 2004: Non profit Incorporation formed
- OSAC membership obtained
- 2 concerts presented: Brad Johner, The Gypsies
