Thirty-five years of art will be celebrated as the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum hosts its Big Bash.
The anniversary will be marked on June 21 with a festival of live music, as eight bands, both local and from around the province, will be featured over the course of the night.
Amber Andersen, EAGM curator, said the bash is a casual affair that encourages everyone to pop in and see exactly what the art gallery has to offer.
"This is a come-and-go event. If you want to come at five and stay until one in the morning, also do that too," said Andersen. "We wanted to make an event that was really accessible to everyone, and really so that we could celebrate this institute and its 35 years and make it so it was very inclusive."
The night will feature music from local Filipino band The Third Town Band as well as Poor Nameless Boy. From elsewhere in the province, Estevanites can enjoy the music of Val Halla, Tyler Gilbert, The Wildmen, Ink Road, Small Kitchen Radio, The Dustin Ritter Band and 306 DJ Services. Some of those bands have played at the gallery as part of their After Dark/After Hours concert series, but many are newcomers to the Energy City.
Andersen said they are hoping to host the party outside on the gallery's grounds, but the celebration will go ahead rain or shine, if the weather refuses to co-operate, festivities will be moved inside.
"If it downpours, we'll just move the fun indoors."
After 35 years of bringing exhibits from artists locally, provincially and abroad, Andersen said the event shows off the parts of having the gallery remain a staple in the community.
"I'm thinking of it as a giant birthday party, and everyone's invited. We wanted to make this our big celebration for the year," she said. "It is art. It is kids' activities, and our newest venue being for music."
With lots of newcomers to Estevan, Andersen said it's important to make sure they are aware of the opportunities for cultural experiences in the city, so the Big Bash is a way to bring in some people who may not otherwise visit an art gallery.
As always, the gallery will have their current art exhibits on display and free to the public. There will be children's activities from 5 to 8 p.m., which will provide a secondary activity for those parents looking to come for the music but have children who may be more interested in the button-making machine.
A refreshment tent will be available for the event and Murray GM of Estevan and Oxbow will be providing safe rides throughout the evening. Food will be provided by Eddie's Neighbourhood Grill and Bar.
Children 12 and under get in free to the entire event that is sponsored by Kramer CAT.
