Call for Entertainers – 2017 Summer Concert Series and more

Valdy performing in our Summer Kitchen in summer 2016.
Valdy performing in our Summer Kitchen in summer 2016.

The Grist Mill and Gardens has now started planning our 2017 schedule of events and have numerous opportunities for musicians and entertainers.

1) Summer Concert Series

The Grist Mill is a 12 acre Provincial Heritage Site in the heart of the Similkameen Valley featuring western Canada’s only working waterwheel-powered flour mill and stunning gardens. Our Summer Kitchen provides an intimate, rustic outdoor venue for folk, roots and world music for audiences of up to 200 from June to Sept.

The last four years, we’ve hosted an evening concert series and hope to do the same this summer, with a further expanded lineup. (Four shows in 2013, six in 2014, ten in 2015 and thirteen in 2016.) The series features one outdoor evening show a week from Mid-June to early September, timed to coincide with the spectacular sunsets here in the Similkameen Valley. Dates are somewhat flexible, but we’d prefer Thursday to Saturday evenings to ensure the largest possible audiences.

If you’re part of a group of no more than four members that might be suitable for headlining one of these shows, we’d love to hear from you.

2) Special Event Days

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Shari Ulrich performing in our Summer Kitchen to a full crowd.

Each year, the Grist Mill hosts a number of special event days with our partners including Victoria Day, Father’s Day, Canada Day, BC Day and Labour Day as well as our Fall Fair in September and Apple Day festival (in October). We’re always looking for musicians or other performers interested in being a part of these family-oriented events and we can accommodate amplified performances in our Summer Kitchen, roving or busking style performances throughout our site and more.

3) Private Events

The Grist Mill often hosts events such as weddings, reunions or private receptions are are often asked for a list of recommended musical acts to play unamplified in our gardens for their event. Classical guitar, wind or string trios or quartets would be ideal for these sorts of opportunities.

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, please contact us at entertainers@oldgristmill.ca no later than Feb 1, 2017 with the following information:

  • Group/Artist Name
  • Main Contact and contact information (phone #, email address, etc)
  • Theme/Style of Music or Type of Act
  • Number of performers in act
  • Available Dates & Times
  • A brief overview of the experience and background of the act
  • The rundown of the equipment requirements for your performance
  • Compensation expectations
  • Any other information you think would help us find the perfect opportunity for you

We would also appreciate a sample of you performing, either a video or audio recording. You can email us links or mail us CDs or DVDs, whatever is most appropriate. If you don’t have recordings, we may request an in-person audition.

Please direct all questions or submissions to Chris Mathieson, Site Operator at entertainers@oldgristmill.ca.

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