The seventh edition of The Big Time Out is just around the corner and fans of this one-of-a-kind event have until this Sunday at midnight to get an amazing deal on a weekend pass to the upcoming celebration.
The Big Time Out is back in Cumberland’s Village Park for 2012 and organizers are also adding some exciting new elements to the BTO format that will see multiple venues and street level action as part of the weekend pass offering.
Indeed, Cumberland has come a long way since its coal mining days when workers from around the world hauled black rock from the earth to fuel industry and war. Rail lines and coal mines have since given way to bike trails and lively pubs. Now it’s music makers and music lovers who make a pilgrimage to the Village seeking the magic that this little community seems to generate.
For the past seven years The Big Time Out has been a pinnacle in this musical mecca with thousands descending on the village each August to hear cutting edge music and feast on amazing visuals provided by a vibrant local art, dance and circus arts scene. Big Time Out is one of those events that transcends the more familiar definitions of ‘concert’ or ‘festival’. Dancers hanging from ariel silks, fire spinning belly dancers, and massive inflatables go hand in hand with stunning new music from national and international artists. All of this takes place in tree lined park nestled against a historic Village, filled with quaint turn of the century homes, funky little shops and cafes and residents who seem reasonably happy to see their little Village double in size each summer.
The audience is young at heart with little interest in nostalgia (although few complained about the show from veteran reggae rhythm section Sly and Robbie in 2007). They return year after year to witness the innovation and unbeatable music programming that the event has become known for.
Performers for this August 18-19 include Vancouver based alt rockers Black Mountain, alt- country trio Elliott BROOD, Australia’s Aurora Jane, former Feist sideman Bahamas, Luciterra, The Funk Hunters, Humans, Longwalkshortdock, Morlove, Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers, and Kermal Evans. Local artists inlcude Luke Blu Guthrie, Des Larsen, Pamela Tessmann and Brodie Dawson, The Big Time Out is reaching its arms even more deeply into the Village-proper this summer with venues being programmed throughout the downtown.
To find out more about The Big Time Out 2012 check out thebigtimeout.com.