Opening Night at the 13th Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival

The Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival provides my favorite weekend at home every summer. Artistic Director Michael Kissinger is brilliant at organizing this huge event, which is a fundraiser for Bravo! Vancouver. Thirteen may be an unlucky number for some but not for the festival, which has given us 13 weekends of jazz, wine and art. Friday night was a most auspicious opening.

Norman Sylvester Blues Band opened the Festival, along with Janice Scroggins. It was a great opening. No one can sing about a “honey do list” like Norman.

Norman Sylvester sings the blues

Robert Moore and the Wildcats followed with a more eclectic mix of jazz.

Robert Moore and the Wildcats

Artists are hard workers at the festival, setting up for three straight days and sharing their art until the end of each evening. Some of the local artists including Paperwings Studio from downtown Vancouver, Fletcher Gober Pottery of Chehalis and Gourd Designs of Vancouver.

Bruce Allison of Vancouver's Paperwings Studio

Fletcher Gober Pottery of Chehalis

Intricately carved gourds by Garry Carr

Intricate artwork of Garry Carr's gourds

Wine, of course, is a big draw. I still remember the year we tried to taste every single Pinot Gris in the park. Not our best idea! This year we focused on a new winery, Mt. St. Helens Cellars of Silver Lake. We loved the Syrah and Riesling and look forward to visiting their tasting room, which has a great location next to camping and kayaking venues.

The owners of Mt St Helens Cellars, with Festival volunteers

The day’s top attraction, Mavis Staples, owned the evening. I can still hear her singing The Staples Singers hit, “I’ll Take You There.” She started singing with her family group in 1950 and, at 71, looks and sounds great.

The venerable Mavis Staples

Back up singers for Mavis Staples

Blues, gospel, soul, freedom songs - Mavis does it all

The Festival continues through Sunday night, August 29. It’s a fine way to celebrate music, wine, art and community. Thank you, Michael Kissinger!