Circus performers and a marching band, DJs and artists on-site, poetry and pottery happenings and, of course, great food and an incredible taplist – Cornerstone Taphouse knows how to throw a party. And this one benefits CV Arts!
Celebrating the return of the downtown Courtenay Wednesday markets, the local taphouse is hosting the Summer Market Days After-Party on June 19 at the corner of 5th Street and Cliffe Avenue.
“We’re so excited to have the market back in the neighbourhood for the season. So what better way to kick things off than by holding an awesome event that benefits the CV Arts Council,” says Lisa Spizzirri, Cornerstone manager. “As big supporters of the arts ourselves, we love everything that the organization does for the community, and this is one way to express our gratitude for them.”
Not only are the folks at the taphouse showing their appreciation with a fun after-party, but also Cornerstone is donating all profits from the entire day to the arts organization.
And don’t be fooled by the words “after-party,” because, in fact, Cornerstone will be holding activities all day long as they showcase local performers and artists.
Starting at noon, thumbtack poetry, pinch-pot pottery with Carolyn Howard of Wet Coast Pottery and postcard collages will take place through the day, and various artists will be creating and painting on-site. As well, newly crowned Comox Valley poet laureate Lawrence Cooper will lead beer-mat poetry between 2 and 4 p.m.
From 5 to 7 p.m., DJ Sukha Sound will be throwing down electric bass grooves. And, finally, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., DJ re-sister will enchant patrons with some Balkan-Turkish swing.
In between those two acts, at 7:30 p.m., the Ignisia Circus and the Golden Honey Second Line Orchestra will march down 5th Street from the market location at the corner parking lot of England Avenue to Cornerstone.
“We’re asking people to bring along their own instruments and funky flair and joins us as we march down with the band. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, and there will also be prizes handed out at Cornerstone throughout the day and evening. Plus, we’ll be serving up tasty samples at the market.”
The weekly summer street market itself runs from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday from the middle of June to the end of August. This year’s market is a joint venture between the CV Arts, the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (DCBIA) and the Comox Valley Farmer’s Market, offering a fresh – and tasty – urban experience for locals and visitors alike. Each week will feature a different mix of vendors, performers and demos.
“The arts community, in general, is grateful for the open-arms support of all things arty that Cornerstone brings to our community,” says Kera McHugh, membership and marketing coordinator with CV Arts. “Wonderful neighbours like them help make things like the downtown markets the successes that they are.”
Downtown Courtenay Summer Street Markets run Wednesdays from June 19th to August 28th, from 4 to 8 p.m.
The Summer Market Days After-Party takes place at 208 – 5th Street, Courtenay, from noon to 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 19. To find out more about the event and the line-up of activities, check out their Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/2430442510575536/.
