Alpha Yaya Diallo & Bafing

Join us for the 46th Annual Harrison Festival of the Arts. We are excited to welcome everyone back to Harrison this year for a thrilling Festival! For full details on the festival such as Schedule, Artist Lineup, workshops, Children’s Day, the Artisan Market and more… continue on to the Homepage.

Alpha Yaya Diallo & Bafing

Location: Harrison Beach Stage (right in the centre of town)

Time: Saturday, July 12th @ 5:00pm & Sunday July 13th @ 3:40pm

Cost: Nothing! This is on our free beach stage, but we do hope you purchase a $2 button at the show to help keep the stage this way!

Alpha Yaya Diallo (prounounced “jallow”) is a revered Guinean-born guitarist, who has a longstanding relationship with the Harrison Festival ever since he first performed here with worldbeat group Fatala in the very early 1990s. His style draws on a range of West African guitar traditions, and reflects his own Foulani background along with other cultures and traditions of Guinea, Senegal and even the Caribbean and Cape Verde. The fluid melodic lines of his guitar playing, both acoustic and electric, are complemented by an echo of the balafon, kora, ngoni, bass and drums to create a West-African sound that is both nomadic and generous. Since settling in Vancouver he has primarily led his own bands and has been awarded multiple Junos.

Lache Cercel Video

You got questions, we got answers! Have a read of the following to gain an idea of what the show will look like.

Where will the show be?

On the Beach Stage right in the centre of town at the very end of Hot Springs Road.

How long will the concert be?

Our Beach Performances are typically one 40-45 min set.

Will I be able to grab a drink and a snack at the show?

The beach is BYONAD (Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Drink). This is a public access event free of gates and fencing. We encourage you to bring a water bottle or non-alcoholic drinks. You are welcome to bring food too, but we also recommend checking out all the different restaurants in town too and help support the local economy.

Will I be able to buy a CD or talk to the artist after the show?

It depends on the artist, but generally, yes. We will have an area set up just for this, but it depends on how comfortable each artist feels about it and if they bring merch to sell. We usually find out about merch the day of, but we will update this when we know more. If merch is available, We are able to accept cash, debit or credit. We prefer card over cash.

Will I be able to sit beside my friends?

Yes, it’s an open area and in the public so you can set up your blanket or chair anywhere you like. We do ask that you be mindful of others around you and not setup chairs right up front and block people behind you.

Will there be bathrooms available?

Yes, bathrooms with either hand sanitizer or soap and water will be available. There is the public bathroom right on the beach by the lagoon as well as the bathroom in the Memorial Hall which will be open on weekends.

Where do I park?

We highly recommend parking in the overflow lot by the Village Office at the corner of Hot Springs Road and Miami River Drive. It’s free and not that far of a walk to all our sites(2-4 mins). There is parking along the streets on Harrison, but the ones closest will have paid parking in effect and spots are hard to find.

Will seating be provided?

Not for the beach! Think of it like a day at the beach, but with great live music playing. We encourage people to bring blankets and low-back chairs to sit in.

What do I need to bring?

We recommend everyone bring a chair or blanket, of course, a water bottle, a hat, sunscreen and maybe some snacks! Some change is good, so you can buy your Beach Stage Button easily ($2) but we take card too! And dress for the weather. There is shade at the beach, and we provide a tent for some coverage, but once it’s filled, it’s filled. Pack like you’re spending the day at the beach!

Share/Bookmark

Alpha Yaya Diallo & Bafing