Looking to decide which of the dozens of acts to take in this weekend at Axis Mundi Harvest?

The Revelstoke Mountaineer has produced over a dozen stories previewing Revelstoke’s newest music festival, which takes place this weekend, Sept. 18–20.

We’ve compiled content from our stories here to create a weekend itinerary to help you decide which acts to take in. See you at the festival!

Some suggested itinerary for Axis Mundi Harvest

First off, here is the printable schedule to the weekend festival:

Much more than just a music festival, the Axis Mundi Harvest event is a full experience that will get you involved and inspired within the vibrant mountain community that is Revelstoke.

The Main Street Cafe, downtown Revelstoke. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

This quaint mountain town will set the stage for a variety of talented musicians during the September 18–20 weekend plus showcase a number of workshops, inspiring lectures and a food and outdoor gear market to get you moving and loving life.

Revelstoke is a unique place where the local thrift store can sometimes be the busiest shop in town and residents rock a variety of styles from head to toe high-tech outdoor gear or the skater or hippie inclined. It’s not a place where you dress to the nines but you can feel comfortable in just about everything else.

The full downtown experience of Revelstoke showcases an array of cute cafes and independent retailers with garden lined sidewalks, perfect for leisurely strolls. Two bear statues guard the entrance to Revelstoke’s main street, Mackenzie Avenue, which will feature the Hundred Miles Harvest Market, the outdoor adventure market and downtown music events.

The Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market, every Saturday morning in downtown Revelstoke. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

By night the festival’s headlining bands will play at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort (or ‘RMR’ as the locals call it) on Mount Mackenzie. The resort, winter home to epic powder and the largest vertical in North America, provides a stunning view of the town with a gondola ride up to the natural amphitheater where Walk Off The Earth and Ashley MacIsaac will play.

If you’ve never been to Revelstoke, you’ll leave with a thirst to return and a wonderment for the locals that get to live this vibrant outdoor lifestyle everyday, but you will never forget this truly unique Revelstoke music festival.

The entire weekend schedule of events is available on the Axis Mundi website but we’ve compiled an itinerary to maximize your time:

The experience itinerary

Friday (September 18)

Start your evening the way the locals do and enjoy the balmy night amongst friends at the outdoor Grizzly Plaza on Mackenzie Avenue. Grab some gelato and find a space in the provided seating and enjoy some blues as harmonica virtuoso Sherman TANK Doucette stirs the crowd at 6 p.m.

Acoustic ensemble Tequila Mockingbird Ochestra hail from the lush lands of Victoria. Photo: Bitter North Photography Factor

Then at 7:45 p.m. Vancouver’s Buckman Coe will take the stage with his soulful melodies.

If you prefer to watch the action with dinner and a drink, book a patio table at Chubby Funsters.

Now that the weekend has just started, head to the Regent Pub at 9:15 p.m. and catch the bohemian Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra. Stay for a drink or two or keep moving with either The Nyundo School Road Show at 10 p.m. at the United Church or wander into Installation Alley in the Downtown Alley.

Head to The Last Drop and your last stop for the night at 11 p.m. for the sexy and soulful tunes of The Walkervilles.

Saturday (September 19)

Veggies at the Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market, downtown Revelstoke. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Check out the local community with a morning visit to Revelstoke’s bustling farmer’s markets at the Grizzly Plaza, which runs from 8:30 a.m. This is one of the best small town farmers markets in B.C., and it’s sure to be packed for harvest season. Buy local produce to enjoy during your stay and grab a hoodie or shirt from one of the local designers’ stalls — they’re the perfect Revelstoke souvenir with that special ‘stoke style flavour.

Pop over to The Modern Bakeshop & Café just before 10 a.m. for a coffee and cake and settle in to discover the Six String Nation and the guitar that embodies the spirit of Canada.

Head over to the C3 Church at 1 p.m. to hear mountain survivor Jamie Andrew tell his thrilling tale how he overcame the challenges of a life-altering mountaineering injury to regain his love for the outdoors.

Enjoy a late lunch on the patio of Mountain Meals, choosing from a selection of homemade meals. Head back to the C3 church at 3 p.m. to hear from Chandra Crawford, Canada’s Olympic gold cross-country skier.

Originator of the Six String Nation guitar Jowi Taylor. Photo: Six String Nation publicity shot

You have some spare time now or you can head in early to the Revelstoke Mountain Resort for the 5 p.m. Women’s Mountain Run.

Then it’s time for a big night of music with pop-style Highs at 6 p.m., sister trio Baskery at 7.30 p.m., the massive up-and-coming Walk Off The Earth at 9:15 p.m. and the beat-motivated Adham Shaikh & The Outworld Orkestra at 11 p.m.

Sunday (September 20)

Enjoy a sleep in after last night before wandering around the Hundred Mile Harvest Market at Grizzly Plaza and the Adventure Market on Macdenzie Avenue, kicking off from 10 a.m. (if you haven’t booked a spot on the Edible Mushroom Tour at 10.30 a.m.)

Named one of the Top 25 Fittest Guys in the World in 2011, Greg Hill is an inspiring ski mountaineer. Photo: T. Chandler

Check out the Parkour Demo at 11:30 a.m. at Grizzly Plaza before heading to ski mountaineer Greg Hill‘s lecture at 1 p.m. at the C3 Church.

Have lunch in the cute converted house at Main Street Cafe and then head to the Trad to Rad workshop at The Last Drop Pub at 3 p.m.

With some spare time now you have the opportunity to wander down to Revelstoke’s green belt on Centennial Drive where a network of green spaces and trails scatter by the large fluid mass of the Columbia River.

Then it’s time to get the blanket out and set up for another night of music at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort with dirty blues duo Little Hurricane at 6 p.m., reggae-pop band Sticky Fingers at 7:30 p.m., rock ‘n’ roll fiddler Ashley MacIsaac at 9:15 p.m. and funky techno brothers The Floozies at 11 p.m.

Don’t miss:

For families:

-The Kids Rock Band with Roxy Roth at 11 a.m. Saturday at United Church followed by the Nyundo School Road Show at 12 p.m.

-The teen’s mountain run is on at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at RMR or check out the Soup and a Smile Community Meal at the United Church at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Mountaineer Jamie Andrews. Photo: Jamie Andrews press shot

For the adventure driven:

-Mountaineer Jamie Andrew’s lecture at the C3 Church on Saturday at 1 p.m. is sure to inspire, as is Olympic Gold cross-country skier Chandra Crawford’s at 3 p.m. On Sunday ski mountaineer Greg Hill will talk at 1 p.m.

-Get involved in the women’s mountain run at RMR at 5 p.m. on Saturday or the men’s at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

-Be sure to check out the Adventure Market on Mackenzie Avenue during Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.

-There will be a number of Parkour Demos on Sunday at Grizzly Plaza showcasing the sport of movement in urban environments.

Activist Severn Cullis-Suzuki. Photo: Myles Clark.

If you’re politically motivated:

-Don’t miss intergenerational justice activist Severn Cullis-Suzuki at Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

If you’re eco conscious:

-Be sure to sign up for an edible mushroom tour at either 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Sunday and check out the Hundred Mile Harvest Market at the Grizzly Plaza on Sunday at 10 a.m. This market is about the role food plays within a community and how it reduces carbon footprint. Drawing from a 100-mile radius around Revelstoke, the area is remarkable for the fare it produces and you’ll find fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, meats, wines and beers, and more here.

Axis Mundi performer video previews

We have a samples and brief bios of most of the bands performing at the festival.

Walk Off The Earth

Ashley MacIsaac

The Floozies

Adham Shaikh

Shaikh skillfully weaves organic and electronic sounds into global music tapestries that take listeners on sonic journeys transcending time and place. His style is an alternate worldly mix with positive, meditative sounds set to funky drum beats.

Aspen Switzer

Singer Aspen Switzer captivates with her pure and powerful voice which brings life to the subtle poetry in her lyrics. She has evolved a style that is her own, but her influences range from folk to country and bluegrass to rock and jazz. Aspen effortlessly builds a rapport with her audience, showing them her humour, authenticity and humanity.

Baskery

Baskery’s aim is to never stop surprising. The band is a trio of sisters and they’re all about turning the music on its head, blending the straightforwardness of punk with the subtlety of singer/songwriting. They have an individual sound and perform with inexhaustible energy.

Buckman Coe

Bridging the worlds of roots, soul, and reggae, Vancouver’s Buckman Coe is a passionate believer in the power of music to shape the future. His sun-kissed folk, gospel-tinged soul, intoxicating world-beat melodies and psychedelic rock sensibility all play a part in providing the sonic platform for Coe’s soulful and conscious lyrics.

Dominique Fraissard

Dominique Fraissard hails both from the long hot highways of Australia and the mountains of Canada’s west where he now resides in the North Slocan Valley. There is a timelessness to his folk and roots style music and his acoustic guitar tunes complement his earthy lilt and urban edge.

Greg Hill

Revelstoke’s Greg Hill has a passion for ski mountaineering and he shares his experiences as a motivational speaker. Named one of the Top 25 Fittest Guys in the World 2011 for climbing and skiing two million feet in a year, Greg has set records and established many firsts on mountains the world over.

Grounders

Welcome to the weird and wonderful pop world of Toronto-based band Grounders, with dreamy, reverb-drenched intros and space-age guitar melodies. For every catchy hook and lush arrangement of their tracks there is a woozy counterpoint that keeps things slightly off-kilter.

Highs

Toronto’s Highs have been rapidly building momentum with their upbeat, feel-good pop music. Influenced by time spent travelling, their EP is a collection of songs that reflect on growing up, the concept of home, and spirituality. Their show is tight and calculated while remaining true to the whimsical nature of their songs.

Jamie Andrew

Despite losing his hands and feet at 29, Jamie Andrew has persevered with his love of life and mountaineering. The tragedy occurred when he and fellow mountaineer Jamie Fisher were trapped for five nights on a stormy, icy summit in the French Alps. Fisher did not survive but Andrew went on to relearn and succeed at walking and everyday daily tasks. He has since succeeded in sports and mountaineering.

Six String Nation

What does it mean to be Canadian? Six String Nation is one guitar that embodies the spirit of Canada. The guitar is made from 63 items of real Canadian history and heritage in wood, bone, metal and stone representing different cultures, communities and characters from every province and territory of the country. This guitar has traveled more than 200,000km across Canada and has been played and held by hundreds of musicians.

Les Copeland

One of British Columbia’s finest blues artists, Les Copeland is primarily self-taught and his unique sound has developed out of a rich mixture of influences including blues, jazz, Spanish flamenco, pop and classical music. From down home Delta to uptown Chicago blues, Les can improvise anything.

Little Hurricane

Little Hurricane is an American rock and dirty blues duo, based out of San Diego, California. Singer/guitarist Tone Catalano and drummer/vocalist C.C. Spina’s influences include Van Morrison, Dead Weather, Gorillaz and The Beatles. Their stripped-down brutal energy brings a live sound that is raw and honest.

The Nyundo School Road Show

In 2014 Canadian musician Jacques Murigande (aka The Mighty Popo) quietly checked out of the Canadian music scene, and with the support of the Rwandan government, began the task of establishing the first public music school in Rwanda. Located in Nyundo in the Rubavu district of Western Province, the Nyundo School of Art and Music encourages confidence and musical expression. Axis Mundi Harvest is honoured to be able to showcase a group of hand picked and exceptionally talented students from Nyundo at this year’s festival in Revelstoke.

Rachelle van Zanten

Known for her powerful live performances and equally powerful social activism, the acclaimed Canadian slide guitarist/singer pulls no punches in her latest album ‘Oh Mother.’ Expect socially conscious lyrics with dirty guitar riffs and soulful singing in a way that neatly captures the essence of her northern British Columbia origins and the the issues the region currently faces.

Rodney DeCroo

Raw and vulnerable, Rodney DeCroo’s recent music is a result of tumultuous battle where he struggled with PTSD. His acoustic arrangements are powerful and fragile.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki

At the tender age of nine, Canadian Severn Cullis-Suzuki recognised that society and ecology were in conflict so she started the Environmental Children’s Organisation with her friends, which was committed to learning and teaching other kids about environmental issues. Today Severn believes that science and media communication is important for informing global change for future generations.

Sherman “TANK” Doucette

Bluesman Sherman Doucette was a staple of the Vancouver music scene for 30 years. Now this harmonica virtuoso resides in Kelowna with a new band and mixes the blues classics and originals with his typical passion and conviction. In 1977, he survived a massive explosion in a lumber mill, which left him in the hospital for six months recovering from burns to 50% of his body earning him the name ‘Tank’.

Sticky Fingers

If the Clash, Pink Floyd and Arctic Monkeys are three beads of sweat that meet rolling down your back, Sticky Fingers are there licking it up. It’s this raw Aussie humour that bonds Sydney band members Dylan, Paddy, Seamus Coyle, Beaker and Freddy. STIFI is a melting pot of reggae, psych, pop and their debut album, Caress Your Soul, dropped in March 2013, with multiple charting singles and a spot on JJJ Hottest 100.

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra

This acoustic ensemble has wandered from the underground of bohemian Victoria, in Canada’s lush west coast, to a new, refined sound crafted by years of constant performing and touring together. Drawing on flamenco flourishes from Spain, to African percussion, and American bluegrass and roots music, their sound is distinct, eclectic and earthy.

The Walkervilles

Soulful and groovy, The Walkervilles are a Motown/Rock influenced group from Windsor, Ontario. Musicians Pat Robitaille, Mike Hargreaves and Stefan Cvetkovic seamlessly fit together like a sexy bowtie and a perfect-fitting suit. In the sweet heaven height of these songs, you’ll close your eyes and pretend Robitaille’s singing to you, that Hargreaves’ wants you home with him while he writes you a love song, and that Cvetkovic’s drumming his fingertips on your lower back.

Axis Mundi presenter profiles

There are lots of great speeches and presentations happening. Here are profiles on some of the presenters at Axis Mundi:

Severn Cullis-Suzuki

Severn Cullis-Suzuki seized the international stage in 1992 when, at age 12, she travelled to the Rio Earth Summit with friends from her DIY Enviromental Children’s Organization, where she delivered a speech that captured international attention, and continues to have an impact today.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki. Photo: Severn Cullis-Suzuki Facebook page

Severn continues with her life work as an advocate for intergenerational justice, travelling the world as a writer and speaker who advocates for human action with the future in mind, and the interconnection between culture and the environment.

Severn has been involved with many notable initiatives since 1992. In 2000, she participated in a cross-Canada cycling campaign called Powershift to highlight air pollution issues. While a student at Yale, she helped develop the Recognition of Responsibility that she brought to the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, where she appeared on the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s Special Advisory Panel. She co-hosted the TV series Suzuki’s NatureQuest,

Severn Cullis-Suzuki with her father David Suzuki. Photo: Severn Cullis-Suzuki Facebook

and is an author of the book Notes from Canada’s Young Activists. She is on the Earth Charter Commission and sits on the Earth Charter International Council. Currently, she is hosting the third season of the APTN series Samaqan — Water Stories that explores Indigenous Peoples’ water issues.

Cullis-Suzuki trained as a biologist at Yale, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the University of Victoria, where she attained a Masters of Science in Ethnobotany while studying  with Kwakwaka’wakw elders on the Pacific Northwest coast.

She lives on Haida Gwaii with her husband and sons.

Jamie Andrew

Prepare to be inspired by Scottish mountaineer Jamie Andrew. At the height of his climbing career in 1999, Jamie and his climbing partner Jamie Fisher were caught in a storm after completing the North Face of Led Droites in the French Alps. Jaime Fisher perished in the incident and Jamie Andrew was saved in a harrowing helicopter rescue.

Severe frostbite forced the amputation of his hands and feet.

Mountaineer Jamie Andrew inspires with his story of perseverance and triumph. Photo: contributed by Jamie Andrew

Andrew persevered through the adversity, working through years of challenging rehabilitation and back into an impressive lifestyle that continues with more remarkable accomplishments. He is active in swimming, running, skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, caving, orienteering and sailing.

He’s continued on as a mountaineer, conquering Ben Nevis in Britain before moving up increasingly difficult ascents. He participated in an all-disabled ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, while raising funds for charity along the way.

Jowi Taylor

Jowi Taylor is an Ontario-based radio personalty who hosted the CBC’s Global Village program for a decade until 2007, while hosting and producing numerous series exploring music and the human experience, winning numerous prestigious awards along the way.

Jowi Taylor created the Six String Nation initiative and will bring the famous Voyageur guitar to Revelstoke. Photo: Jowi Taylor

He is the creator of Six String Nation, a project to create a guitar made up of pieces of historical and cultural material from across Canada. The guitar, dubbed Voyageur, is known as Canada’s guitar, and features 64 pieces of bone, metal, wood, stone and fabric representing all Canadian provinces. Some examples include wood from the deck of the Bluenose II, a piece from Paul Henderson’s hockey stick, Nancy Greene’s childhood skis, a bit of Pierre Trudeau’s canoe paddle, a 300-year-old golden spruce from Haida Gwaii and a bit of a sideboard that belonged to Sir John A. Macdonald.

The guitar travels with an official photographer who has captured tens of thousands of official portraits with the guitar.

Greg Hill

Mountain athlete and Revelstoke resident Greg Hill needs little introduction here. His exploits in the mountains around Revelstoke and around the world have been subject to numerous stories in the local media and beyond.

Revelstoke mountaineering athlete Greg Hill is known for incredible acts of endurance in the mountains. Photo: Via www.arcteryx.com

The mountain guide and mountaineer is known for epic adventures in the mountains, including a million-foot season on skis in 2004–2005 that earned him a nod in the National Geographic Adventure Magazine 14 amazing adventures in 2006. He’s won many competitions and races in the mountains, bagging ascent records and winning endurance titles.

Hill is most well known for his 2010 adventure to climb and ski two million feet in one year, when he averaged over 5,500 feet a day all year long, climbing 71 mountains in four countries as he chased the snow across both hemispheres.

In March of last year he completed a month-long challenge to climb and ski 100 vertical kilometres.

Greg has engaged as a film-maker and speaker.