Photo gallery: Axis Mundi Harvest festival starts something unique

There’s a saying in the news business: always go.

You never know what’s going to be there when you arrive. It could be a bust, or a big break.

When I first interviewed organizer Hugo Rampen about the Axis Mundi festival concept in early 2015, I knew Revelstoke was in for something special.

Rampen was the artistic director behind the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival for many years, and has deep roots in the music industry in eastern Canada going back many more years.

(Click on any photo for the full view.)

He is known for his skill at attracting and curating a talented mix of performers who come together for a rounded performance.

That’s what Revelstoke experienced so far this weekend; the fruits of an awesome effort by a skilled and talented team to create a great cultural experience for Revelstoke.

I had a great time on Friday night at the Nyundo School of Music show in Grizzly Plaza, and from there cruising around the bars with friends taking in Buckman Coe, Rodney DeCroo at the Regent, and the Walkervilles at the Last Drop.

On Saturday, Jamie Andrews’s presentation at the C3 Church on Saturday was inspiring, as was Olympic gold medallist Chandra Crawford’s goal-setting presentation an hour later. (She passed the medal around!)

On Saturday afternoon I jumped on the gondola to Revelation Lodge to take in the bands. It was soggy up there, but that’s what boots and jackets are for.

The performers lived up to it, taking the enthusiastic crowd along for the ride.

The party shifted from the muddy field, back into the lodge, then back out for another great performance.

But, back to the intro sentence on this story: you should go!

On Sunday, Ashley MacIsaac, The Floozies, Sticky Fingers and Little Hurricane play the Revelation Lodge. That’s in addition to the outdoor Adventure Market and many shows in town and at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre (Including a presentation by Greg Hill and Severn Cullis-Suzuki. I’m looking forward to it.

Always go? So far, the Axis Mundi Festival has been a great experience, and they’ve far outweighed the crummy weather this weekend. See you around Sunday?

Here’s our earlier story with a suggested itinerary.