A Beer Festival Experience – BEERFEST!
Edmonton BeerFest, an annual celebration of craft beer and community spirit, not only delights attendees with a diverse array of brews but also offers captivating entertainment that enriches the festival experience. Here’s a detailed exploration of the entertainment at Edmonton BeerFest, highlighting its vibrancy and appeal.
The Essence of Edmonton BeerFest Entertainment
At its core, Edmonton BeerFest blends the art of craft brewing with the joy of live entertainment. The festival’s organizers understand that great beer is complemented by great music and performances, creating an atmosphere where attendees can indulge their senses fully.
Musical Extravaganza
One of the cornerstones of Edmonton BeerFest’s entertainment lineup is its musical offerings. Each year, the festival curates a diverse selection of bands and musicians, catering to various tastes and preferences. From local talents to renowned artists, the stages at BeerFest come alive with melodies that resonate across the venue.
Local Talent Spotlight
Edmonton takes pride in its vibrant music scene, and BeerFest serves as a platform to showcase local talent. Emerging bands and artists from the city and surrounding areas get an opportunity to perform on a larger stage, gaining exposure and connecting with a broader audience. This not only enriches the cultural fabric of the festival but also reinforces Edmonton’s status as a hub for musical creativity.
Headline Acts
In addition to local performers, Edmonton BeerFest often features headline acts that draw crowds from far and wide. These artists, spanning genres from rock and folk to blues and indie, ensure there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s a well-known band or a rising star on the national or international scene, the headline acts add star power and excitement to the event.
Beyond Music: Variety and Engagement
While music forms a significant part of the entertainment at Edmonton BeerFest, the festival offers a range of other engaging activities to enrich the attendee experience.
Comedy and Entertainment Shows
Laughter is another key ingredient at BeerFest, with comedy acts and entertainment shows that tickle the funny bone. Stand-up comedians, improv groups, and interactive performances contribute to the festive atmosphere, providing moments of light-hearted fun between sips of beer.
Interactive Workshops and Demonstrations
Beer aficionados and curious attendees alike can deepen their knowledge through workshops and demonstrations hosted at the festival. From brewing techniques and beer pairing sessions to talks by industry experts, these educational activities offer insights into the craft beer world and enhance appreciation for the artistry behind each brew.
Culinary Delights
No festival experience is complete without delicious food, and Edmonton BeerFest delivers on this front as well. Food trucks, vendors, and culinary experiences complement the beer offerings, ensuring that attendees can indulge in a variety of flavors that complement their drink choices.
Community and Connection
Beyond the music, laughter, and flavors, Edmonton BeerFest fosters a sense of community and connection among attendees. It’s a gathering where beer enthusiasts, music lovers, and foodies come together to celebrate shared passions and create lasting memories. The festival’s inclusive atmosphere welcomes people of all backgrounds, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging within Edmonton’s cultural landscape.
Edmonton BeerFest stands out not only for its exceptional selection of beers but also for its vibrant entertainment offerings. From live music that ranges from local talent to headline acts, to novelty acts, interactive workshops, and culinary delights, the festival ensures there’s something to delight every attendee. It’s an annual celebration that embodies the spirit of Edmonton—a city known for its creativity, community spirit, and love of good beer. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned festival-goer, Edmonton BeerFest promises an unforgettable experience where beer, music, and camaraderie converge in perfect harmony
Sinzere has won four YYC Music awards, been nominated for the APMIA Rosie’s Awards, and was named one of the “11 Rising Black Canadian Artists You Should Know” by Complex Canada. Her debut album, “Tabula Rasa,” made RANGE Magazine’s list of the top 25 Canadian Albums of 2022, and her track “The Mission” was recognized by Complex Canada.
Her music has gained critical acclaim, landing placements on Spotify editorial playlists, CBC’s ‘The Block,’ and ‘Diggstown.’ Sinzere’s music video for “Ric Flair Flo” received accolades, including Video of the Year at the 2023 Europe Music Video Awards and selections at prestigious film festivals.
Sinzere’s impact is undeniable, and she continues to rise as a compelling artist in the Canadian music scene while carrying a powerful message through her music.
Ray Bonneville
Acclaimed raconteur Ray Bonneville strips his bluesy Americana to its essentials and steeps it in the humid grooves of the South, creating a compelling poetry of hard living and deep feeling. His ninth release, At King Electric, delivers more than his trademark grit and groove. Rich guitar and harmonica lines resonate over spare but spunky rhythms, while Bonneville’s deep, evocative voice confesses life’s harsh realities. Whether performing solo or fronting a band, playing electric or acoustic guitar, Bonneville allows space between notes that adds potency to every chord, lick, and lyric. Often called a “song and groove man,” he began writing his own music after two decades working as a studio musician, playing rowdy rooms with blues bands, and living hard. He’s since released nine albums, won Canada’s Juno award and other prestigious honors, earned wide critical acclaim, and garnered an enthusiastic following in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Jeremy White // Drum Sergeant: Jeremy comes from Atlantic Canada where he has played in, led, and instructed bands (service and competitive) across the country. He annually travels to Brittany to compete and perform with Bagad Kemper.
Jeremy operates his own online/in person drumming studio called Jeremy White Percussion.
Philip Yamkovy // Pipe Sergeant: A founding member of North Stratton, Phil came through the Edmonton Boys Pipe Band system from 1999-2007 before joining the ranks of Alberta Caledonia from 2007-2013. After a short stint with the Los Angeles Scots, he returned back to Edmonton in 2015 to be a part of NSPB.
No strangers to the Scottish community, Phil married a highland dancer with whom they now have two boistrous young children.
Derina Harvey leads the award-winning Celtic Rock group, the Derina Harvey Band (dHb). With a show that offers a fresh take on traditional folk songs as well as a few originals, Derina’s vibrant personality takes center stage with humour, storytelling, and, of course, her powerful vocals. dHb has been likened to a “rockier” version of Canada’s Great Big Sea, if fronted by Adele, and has earned a reputation as a high-energy live show that leaves many an audience out-of-breath and hollering from their seats!
dHb concerts can be adapted to suit any venue; whether it’s a captivating night of telling stories through song for an audience in a Performing Arts Center, or a dinner and dance in a community hall. The band has covered a fair amount of Canada via the performing arts and festival circuits and is now poised to do the same in the United States. They were very well-received at four juried US showcases (Arts Northwest (Best in Showcase Award), Western Arts Alliance, Performing Arts Exchange, Ohio Arts Professionals Network) and following these, the band has quickly begun to make inroads from coast to coast in the US.
The group enjoyed a huge wave of new online followers from across the globe via TikTok, where there was a sea shanty craze that started in 2020. dHb’s recording of Tom Lewis’s “The Last Shanty” was used in thousands of videos on the platform, introducing the band to a whole new generation of listeners.
The band released a new full-length album titled “Waves of Home” on June 23rd, 2023. Their dedication to touring across Canada has not gone unnoticed in their home region of Atlantic Canada – they are nominated for a 2024 East Coast Music Award in the “Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year” category.
