Sault Ste. Marie’s annual arts, culture, and music festival will be held in downtown Baawaating – Sault Ste. Marie, from September 19 to 21. This three-day festival brings the heart of the City to life with a vibrant lineup of live performances, interactive workshops, exhibits, markets, film screenings, and public art installations.
Friday, September 19: Music, Theatre, and a Silent Book Club
• 2:30 to 4 p.m. Free jazz guitar workshop with Matthew Warnock at The LOFT. Showcasing their talent will be guitarists from Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and the United States.
• 5 to 7 p.m. Free Silent Book Club at the Sault Downtown Plaza. Bring a book, find a spot, and read alongside others in your community.
• 7 p.m. ‘She’, a powerful theatrical production which will be performed at the Sault Theatre Workshop at 121 Pittsburgh Avenue. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.saultctc.ca.
• 7 to 8 p.m. Free Strange Exhibits’ Walking Tour departs from the Sault Downtown Plaza and offers a unique perspective on the City’s downtown mural collection.
• 8 p.m. Free, live music concert sponsored by OLG at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion featuring ‘My Son the Hurricane’ with ‘The Rhythm Junction,’ and DJ ‘Flummoxx’ for the after party.
Saturday, September 20: Market, Murals, and Music
• 10 to 2 p.m. Free Mosaic Market and Cultural Performances at the Sault Downtown Plaza will showcase a variety of creators, vendors, and artisans.
• 2 to 3 p.m. Free Strange Exhibits’ Walking Tour departs from the Sault Downtown Plaza and offers a unique perspective on the City’s downtown mural collection.
• 3 to 4 p.m. Free Bookfolding Workshop led by Lisa Parlow-Tucker at the Sault Downtown Plaza.
• 7 to 10 p.m. Free Vinyl Listening Party with DJ Seith at The Rad Zone
Sunday, September 21: VIVID Film Festival at the Grand Theatre
• 11 to 11 p.m. VIVID In Dreams one-day Film Festival, hosted at the Grand Theatre. Features short films, documentaries, and beloved classics. Tickets are $8 and available at https://www.ticketleap.events/events/reelfilm-forum
This year, VIVID is honoured to welcome muralist Anaϊs Labrèque and Dominic Laporte of Drift Mural Co. alongside Mutes (César de Barros Amorim). These artists create large-scale murals that become permanent additions to the City’s public art collection, adding to the City’s evolving downtown landscape.
Sign up at www.vividartfest.ca to attend any of the free workshops or tours. Registration is appreciated, and walk-ins are welcome. VIVID is presented by Tenaris, with musical entertainment sponsored by OLG. This event is supported by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Local Immigration Partnership, and the Sault Downtown Association.
About VIVID Art Fest:
VIVID is an annual celebration of the thriving arts and culture scene in Bawaating Sault Ste. Marie, ON. The festival brings together local and global talent to create and develop accessible, sustainable, multi-disciplinary public art, culture, and heritage. By fostering cross-cultural relationships and enhancing community pride, VIVID strengthens the region’s tourism, economy, and arts sector while creating a welcoming environment for all. VIVID Art Fest is intended to promote and foster a sense of pride, place, ownership, and inclusion in the community for everyone.