What is environmentally interactive art, and why is it important? What is community art? What does it mean for nature and technology to have a reciprocal relationship? Join Darren Copeland, Andreas Kahre, Kathy Kennedy, Gordon Monahan and Chris Welsby as we explore together these and other questions. Bring your curiosity and your ideas!

Wedneday, August 20th, 4 pm, Surf Lodge Deck

Host: Alex Varty

Alexander Varty’s life-long engagement with contemporary music has encompassed work as a performer, concert producer, critic, and curator. As a musician, he has collaborated with piano legend Al Neil, guitar innovator Henry Kaiser, compositional maverick John Oswald, new-music specialist John Tilbury, and many more. During his tenure with the Western Front arts centre’s New Musica program, he forged vital links between Vancouver and the New York City underground, as well as with Montreal’s thriving musique actuelle scene. And as a journalist, he’s provided a voice for creative music in Vancouver for 30 years. Recent productions include Suitcase Local, a CD and touring show created with audio poet Hilary Peach and percussionist Andreas Kahre.

Friday, August 22nd, 4pm, Silva Bay Deck

Host: Cindy O'Dell

Cindy O'Dell has lived on Gabriola long enough to raise a passel of kids, nurture a schizoid tendency to assume various employment identities (she pops up everywhere) and occasionally metamorphize into a comic (comedy = tragedy + time). Otherwise, her love of story keeps her zealously writing.