The 2013 edition of the Peace River North Festival came to a close on Sunday night with the "Best fo the Fest" Honour Concert, a sampling of some outstanding performances from the week of the festival as chosen by adjudicators Sylvia Shadick-Taylor, John White, Heath Onstine, Kerry Lynn Turner and Julie Tomaino. The adjudicators may not have enjoyed our weather, but they had nothing but praise for the efforts the performing artists of the region. The evening included the Northern Lights Youth Choir and, for the first time, the Northern Winds Community Band along with performance in piano, violin, guitar, banjo, speech, trumpet and many forms of dance by dancers from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson. Some of the dancers of Aurora Dance Centre in Fort Nelson had driven as far as Wonowon when they got the word that they had been chosen for the show, and they turned around and came back to be a part of the evening.

The final evening also included the announcement of our provincial delegates and presentation of the major awards of the festival. Our region will be represented at the BC Performing Arts Festival in Chilliwack by a talented group of delegates, as follows:

Music Awards

Dance Awards

Music classes wrapped up at the Peace River North Festival with a day of Bands performing in front of adjudicator John White. There were some wonderful performances over the four days of music and adjudicators had some positive feedback and encouragement for our talented young performers.

There is one more chance to see a sampling of four days of outstanding music at the Best of the Fest Honours Concert on Sunday, April 21 at 6:30 pm at the North Peace Cultural Centre. Adjudicators have chosen some of their favourite performances from all sections of the festival; piano, guitar & banjo, violin, instrumental, voice and speech.

Thursday will see the start of the dance portion of the festival which will run until Sunday. Adjudicators Kerry Lynn Turner and Julie Tomaino will add an entertaining list of dances to the Best of the Fest program.

Local piano students have spent two days displaying their skills as the Peace River North Festival in front of friends, family and adjudicator, Sylvia Shaddick-Taylor. Ms. Taylor is a professional pianist and teacher from Edmonton and students and local teachers were encouraged and inspired by her positive comments and impressive demonstrations on the piano. Her work is not yet done as she will return to the Cultural Centre on Tuesday, April 16 at 11:00 to share her expertise on the violin with a whole new group of students in the Strings division of the festival. Everyone is welcome to come out and see these hard-working young performing artists.

The Peace River North Festival is scheduled for April 14 - 21, 2013, featuring classes in Piano, Strings, Choir and Voice, Guitar and Banjo, Bands and Instruments, Speech Arts and Dance. Details of all classes can be seen in the 2013 syllabus.

The Peace River North Festival Association will hold its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, October 4, 1012 at 7:00 pm at the ArtsPost (10320-94 Avenue). Anyone interested in becoming involved with the organization of the festival is invited to attend. The festival will be held from April 14 – April 21, 2013 and will feature classes in Piano, Strings, Guitar & Banjo, Bands & Instruments, Choir & Voice, Speech and Dance. The festival showcases the talents of hundreds of young performing artists from around the region.  For more information contact Margaret May at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 250-785-2001.

The best performances of the Peace River North Festival will take the stage at the "Best of the Fest" Honours Concert on Sunday, April 22 at 6:30 pm at the North Peace Cultural Centre. See a great variety of performances featuring outstanding young performing artists in music and dance.

The 2012 Peace River North Festival of the Arts kick off bright and early on Sunday, April 15, the start of a week of performances by young artists in Piano, Guitar & Banjo, Strings, Voice & Choir, Instruments & Band, Speech and Dance. Sessions run all day at the North Peace Cultural Centre and are open to the public at a cost of $3.00 per session.

The Festival winds up with the “Best of the Fest” Honours Concert on Sunday, April 22, which features the top performances from each division as selected by the adjudicators. It is a showcase of talented young performing artists who have worked hard all year to hone their skills. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children and seniors and can be purchased through the Cultural Centre box office.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, April 15 Piano: 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 6:30 pm

Monday, April 16 Piano: 9:00 am Guitar & Banjo: 11:00 am Piano: 1:00 pm

Tuesday, April 17 Piano: 9:00 am Strings: 1:00 pm Voice & Choir: 5:00 pm

Wednesday, April 18 Instruments: 9:30 am Junior Bands: 1:00 pm Senior Bands: 5:30 pm

Thursday, April 19 to Sunday, April 22 Dance

Sunday, April 22 Best of the Fest Honours Concert: 6:30 pm

Entries are still being accepted for the music division of the Peace River North Festival.  Categories include Piano, Band and Instruments, Strings, Voice and Choir and Speech Arts.  To get entry forms and the 2011 syllabus, contact Margaret May at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Festival dates are April 3 - April 10, 2011 

Students in the School District #60 band program practising for the festival.

The 2011 Peace River North Festival of the Arts has been scheduled for April 3 through April 10, 2011.  The Syllabus has been prepared and is available for anyone interested in entering the festival.  For more information about the festival or to obtain a copy of the official syllabus and entry forms, contact Margaret May at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .