New Axis Mundi festival weaves Revelstoke into mountain culture festival

The organizers of Revelstoke’s new Axis Mundi Harvest festival are weaving the fabric of their first offering out of the passions that unite our community.

Facilitated by Revelstoke Economic Development, Axis Mundi Music and the Revelstoke Arts Council have created a unique partnership to help realize Revelstoke’s ambition to host a right-sized festival to showcase our mountain town.

The festival’s vision and objectives were carefully vetted by the various parties over the last two years and a core team was brought together, including key members who previously brought success to the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, such as festival programmer and Axis Mundi Music founder, Hugo Rampen, publicity manager Scott Crocker and sponsorship manager Lori Wilbur. Since then, the team has been crafting a made-in-Revelstoke festival that highlights our diverse identity as a community.

Partnering with community organizations like the Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market (pictured) is key to making this a truly Revelstoke festival, organizers say. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

“It’s the community partnerships that are super important,” explains Scott Crocker in an interview. “We are working it out so this is a Revelstoke festival.”

He explains that mountain culture, the arts, sustainability and mountain adventure are key themes they’re exploring in the “experiential lifestyle festival.”

More than a music festival, Axis Mundi Harvest is partnering with community groups to provide a broad range of experiences.

The festival is deep with up and coming musical talent, like Grounders. Photo: Grounders publicity shot.

They’ll be working with groups including the Revelstoke Multicultural Society, the Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market, the United Church, Revelstoke Bear Aware Society, the North Columbia Environmental Society’s Local Food Initiative and the Revelstoke Community Wave Park Society on initiatives to support and highlight the work they’re doing in Revelstoke.

Opening night Friday, Sept. 18, is based on a downtown fringe festival model and will feature events at seven downtown venues, including bars, restaurants, theatres and halls, featuring music, performances and presentations by amazing speakers.

Axis Mundi has diverse live performers like Live (pictured), but music is only one part of the total package. Photo: Highs publicity shot

Crocker said the team’s enjoyed sculpting a festival that fits with Revelstoke.

“We are creating a festival from scratch. It is evolutionary, it’s evolving. It’s the sort of experimental year,” he said.

Established names like East Coast music star Ashley MacIsaac are mixed in with up-and-coming acts. Photo: Ashley MacIsaac publicity photo

They envision interactive community events continuing through the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, they’ll host lectures, films, sports demonstrations, an adventure gear market workshop and more, including public events, many of which are geared towards families and children.

The anchor events happen on Saturday and Sunday evening at the Revelation Lodge main stage at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. As skiers and snowboarders know, the venue provides a natural amphitheatre with a sweeping backdrop of the Columbia Valley and the Monashee mountains below. RMR has stepped forward as a major sponsor, offering the unparalleled venue and service facilities.

Hugo Rampen is heading the new Revlstoke Axis Mundi festival. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Programmer Hugo Rampen is thrilled about the venue, calling it “…one of the finest outdoor venues in the province. Amphitheatres reduce site-line issues,” Rampen continues. “Every seat in the house will have an unobstructed view of the stage.”

The gondola ride up is a bonus for visitors, and everyone can enjoy performances set against a backdrop of a mountain sunset in the west.

The Axis Mundi headliners have dominated local buzz so far. Walk Off the Earth are popular Columbia Records artists with a massive online following and Ashley MacIsaac is an east coast music legend. But Axis Mundi may become equally known for showcasing up-and-comers. Crocker says programmer Hugo Rampen has a “great eye for emerging talent” and is known for his ability to “mix and match” to create an overall experience. The Floozies, Sticky Fingers, Highs, and Grounders are all examples of diverse and varied genres and talent united by their musicality and live performances.

The view overlooking Revelation Lodge at Revelstoke Mountain Resort in the winter. This area will be transformed into a natural amphitheatre for Axis Mundi Harvest. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Much more than just a music festival, the organizers plan to create a great festival that draws inspiration from some of the best contemporary festivals in the world. They want the Sept. 18–20 Axis Mundi Harvest to be the weekend Revelstokians invite their friends to town to pitch a tent in the backyard, chill out and enjoy the whole weekend experience.

See the Axis Mundi Harvest website to buy tickets.

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This sponsored post is part of an ongoing series highlighting the Axis Mundi Harvest Festival.