Creation and Connection Stand Out at Imagine Music and Arts Festival

Friday-Sunday, September 11-13, 2015 at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat

— by Margie Doyle, with additional information from Darin Leong – Producer and Jake Perrine – Co-Producer–

Imagine Music and Arts Festival, Sept. 11-13 Orcas Island

The “Imagine Music and Arts Festival” is a gathering featuring a multimedia showcase of cutting edge music, art and ideas.

Festival producers say. “At the convergence of multiple disciplines, we have assembled a great lineup of talented minds, musicians, and artists that will feature world class electronic music, world rhythms, live acoustic artists, spoken word poetry, theatrical performance, and a visionary art gallery. Music performers include Kaya Project, Random Rab, Bluetech, Living Light, Drumspyder, Marmalade, Rafe Pearlman, Yaima, and The Sea Stars. Visionary artists include Xavi, Eric Nez, Burgundy Viscosi, Aloria Weaver, and Dave Heskin.”

“During the day we have teamed up with New Stories who will be offering workshops featuring some amazing thinkers and dreamers. Exploring new concepts, we will focus on ideas relevant to shaping the future such as sustainable farming, consciousness, art, alternative medicines and sustainable energy. Workshop presenters include Dr. Rick Ingrasci, Faith Sabatine, Sobey Wing & Magenta, and Jennifer Posada.”

Darin Leong

Leong and Perrine have been producing events like the upcoming Imagination Festival for over a decade, presenting “Life as Art” and “Visionary Culture” at Oracle Gatherings — “events, workshops, and gatherings [that] are participant driven and focus on the transformation of the individual through intentional art, environments, music, health, knowledge, and community.” (from oraclegatherings.tribe.net/)

Perrine says that beyond a traditional music and arts festival, Imagination Festival is “environmentally friendly, forward-thinking and consciousness-raising…. to co-create a better vision of the future.

“It comes from a need to bring a different element to the celebration that is crucial to our culture — to define it and reflect it,” by participating rather than observing or being entertained. “It brings out the best in people with engagement in spiritual, interpersonal and environmental themes.”

Jake Perrine in costume

Perrine says, “It’s a new kind of event, much like most of the stuff we do off-island, because that’s where the people are. We want [the artists and musicians] to  come to us. The festival at Doe Bay will cater to an entirely different genre of music, and style of party.

“It’s a very different time than even 10 years ago in the way we interact with music and art. Now people want to have the experience, and other attendees and the venue itself is as important as the performers. We’re looking for a way to have better interactions with each other — beautiful people in a safe environment who are good to each other and not just consumers.”

In trying to create “an elegant refined way of looking into the future, instead of just partying,” the producers encourage volunteers who want to help with the festival to serve as door staff, greeters, on set-up and clean-up crews, in technical assistance. “There’s room for personal expression in creativity; just be present, bring what you live, and wander through, immersed in the atmosphere.”

Mieka Neenan will organize the volunteers, who can sign up at the website:

Leong adds, “The Festival is unique anywhere with an incredible line up… masters that are huge in the electronic scene, acrobatic shows and visually amazing performances that will blow people’s minds.”

Presale tickets for the event are $150 + camping and / or parking. Youth ages 13-18 are $50, and children under 12 are free. Tickets are limited to 600. On the days of the event, any unsold tickets will be made available to locals for $99 for the whole weekend, until the Festival is completely sold out.