Khatsahlano! celebrates Vancouver’s arts and music scene on West 4th Avenue

On July 21, from 12 pm-8 pm, the Khatsahlano! Music + Art Festival returns to 4th Avenue (from Burrard to MacDonald) for its second consecutive celebration of Vancouver’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

Organized and funded by the West 4th Business Improvement Association, Khatsahlano! promotes local music and entertainment by providing a mix of local artisans, street performers, patio parties, sidewalk sales, and, of course, a stellar lineup of local musical acts.

”This festival has grown from year one, and so has the caliber of artists performing this year. In 2012, we are anticipating even larger crowds coming out to enjoy the festivities,” says Russ Davies, executive director of the West 4th Business Improvement Association.

Spread out over five main stages, this year’s festival features performances from indie-rock duo the Zolas, indie-rock singer-songwriter and the New Pornographers member Kathryn Calder, indie-rock band Ladyhawk, Carey Mercer’s solo project Blackout Beach, garage group the Dead Ghosts, experimental-punk rockers Shearing Pinx, sludge-pop band Weed, garage group the High Drops, garage-soul rockers the Ballantynes, and psychedelic-folk quintet Capitol 6.

”We’re very excited to have these artists performing at the festival this year. Khatsahlano! carves out a large slice of West 4th and we’re just thrilled that we could pack it full with talented musicians on multiple stages. This is what my vision has been all along,” says Zulu Records owner and festival curator Grant McDonagh.

Zulu Records owner Grant McDonough talks about Khatsahlano!

This year, McDonough is working with brand.LIVE, which will also produce the annual Live at Squamish festival from August 24 to 26.

Katie Schaeffers, a producer at brand.LIVE, says she's working with the BIA.

Admission to the Khatsahlano! Music + Art Festival is free. More information can be found on the festival’s Facebook page or Twitter page.