91原创 was once solely known for its fertile agricultural land. Now it鈥檚 home to a crop of a new sort.

91原创鈥檚 gradual transition from an agri-based community to becoming Lower Mainland鈥檚 art hub and possibly a mecca for music lovers dates back years.

The farmers of Aldergrove formed an association in 1912 called the Aldergrove Agricultural Association.

To celebrate productivity and exhibit their produce and handmade products made by homemakers, the association started organizing a yearly festival 鈥� unintentionally giving birth to one of the longest-running festivals in the community.

As years passed, the Aldergrove Fair 鈥� originally an annual exhibition of local farmers and homemakers 鈥� became a popular outdoor entertainment event for the community.

With more and more events and attractions contributing to 91原创鈥檚 art scene, many believe the area is indeed becoming a mecca for live entertainment.

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ARTISTS AND PROMOTERS SHARE THEIR OPINIONS

When Teri James, executive director at Downtown 91原创 Business Association (DLBA), started her career 21 years ago, Arts Alive was the only event put on by the association. She relied on a bunch of volunteers to make the day happen. Two decades later, due to the size of the event, she now works with close to 50 people to make Arts Alive and other events successful.

鈥淭he calibre of the event overall has grown extensively,鈥� she commented.

鈥淥ver the years, word has spread throughout the entertainment industry, both locally and across Canada, that 91原创 festivals and events are very well organized and a great place to perform,鈥� she added.

Her bold statement is backed by the response her team has been getting from the community lately.

Each year, DLBA starts receiving emails a year in advance from musicians wanting to perform. During COVID, many even agreed to hold their registration fees up with DLBA for two years.

James sees 91原创 as a place 鈥渨here there is always something cool happening,鈥� particularly when it comes to music-related events.

With organizations such as the 91原创 Community Music School, Fort 91原创 Jazz and Arts Festival, Bez Arts Hub, 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble, 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In, and many more offering live concerts, James said the public is getting 鈥渕any鈥� opportunities to enjoy the performing arts right in their own community. Also, with the federal government infusing $113,742.24 of COVID relief funding into 91原创鈥檚 art scene in May this year, certain organizations are expected to go bigger with their plans.

As open spaces in both City and Township continue to attract the public during the summer, City Councillor Rosemary Wallace said the entertainment scene would grow due to the availability of 鈥渆xceptional and a wide range鈥� of talent here.

One of Wallace鈥檚 favourite memories as an artist is putting a piano outside one of the 91原创 galleries and watching the array of talent that would sit there and play daily.

There鈥檚 organizers offering live music on numerous occasions and events such as Indigenous Peoples Day, 91原创 City Community Day, the jazz festival, Aldergrove Fair Days, 91原创 City Terry Fox route entertainers, 91原创 City Arts Crawl, Bopping in the Park, Art Alive, Summer Beats in the City, the outdoor stage by the 91原创 Events Centre, and more.

鈥淚t seems like every week you can find a place where musicians are singing and playing,鈥� said Walllace, an artist herself.

Not just organizers but artists too, find 91原创 a safe and creative place to live and create.

Singer-songwriter and vocalist of local band, Whiskey Blind, Benjamin Aaron Ferguson said the community means world to him. The 26-year-old moved to 91原创 in 2008 for high school and has been here ever since.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great community that鈥檚 awesome for raising a family and working,鈥� said Ferguson.

He added that it is easy to find events and business that support local artists.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of bars and businesses and events that support local music and there鈥檚 tons to do around here.鈥�

Russ Rosen, artistic director and concert curator at Bez Arts Hub, agrees that the volume of live music events has increased.

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MORE VENUES MEAN MORE COMPETITION

But that also means increasing competition for talent. Bez has been focussing a large amount of its advertising budget on 91原创 residents, but he still said most people don鈥檛 know about the world-class shows that are happening every weekend at Bez.

鈥淚 know that there are other promoters working to engage the growing 91原创 market in the thrill of live music,鈥� he said.

There are many Juno Award-winning touring artists Rosen has been able to bring to Bez, but with more audience buy-in Bez could do more.

Rosen said 91原创 is a ways off from having a 鈥渉appening鈥� music scene that it could be.

The competition is indeed not just in terms of who attracts more people but also who gets the funding.

With funding given to only selected groups, Ellie King, a veteran of the entertainment industry, said little efforts were made to advance the arts in general in 91原创.

King, the managing artistic director at the Royal Canadian Theatre Company, said professional theatre in 91原创 has been neglected for years.

Rosen admitted that there is no shortage of local talent, but organizers should mix the local talent with touring artists to build a live music culture in 91原创.

鈥淗ard working local musicians can often really leverage their relationships with neighbours to motivate them to come see live music,鈥� he commented.

Acknowledging 91原创鈥檚 鈥渋deal鈥� geographic location, Rosen said driving to Vancouver is getting more and more costly. He said the potential is fantastic with the growing local restaurant and winery scene teaming with the arts community.

Though diverse in their opinions, the entertainment providers did agree on thing 鈥� greater involvement from local politicians in supporting local venues could only benefit the community.

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