The day’s events: The official Kick-off Performance may be at 8:00 p.m., but the summit of the day’s events will be an impromptu performance and festival announcement at the top of Sulphur Mountain at 10 a.m. featuring The Trillium Brass from Ontario (Scott Harrison, trumpet; Philip Seguin, trumpet; Scott Good, trombone; Cathy Stone, trombone; Jennifer Schofield, horn) and guest appearances by trumpeter Jens Lindemann, actor Chris Hunt, and the festival’s on-street ambassador Captain Love. Courtesy of Brewster and Banff Gondola, guests at the top of the mountain will be treated to music and a sneak preview of what the Festival offers.

Artwalk : drop by The Banff Centre campus from 1 to 2 p.m. for a one-hour tour of The Banff Centre campus spotlighting many works from the Permanent Collection that are on public display.

The tour begins at the Walter Phillips Gallery, The Banff Centre. Come for the exploration or come for the exercise – this is FREE!

Kick-Off Performance: A lively and entertaining sampler of Festival events with short performances from Aboriginal Arts, Filumena, Opera as Theatre, Music & Sound, and Festival Dance. In addition, audiences will be treated to a video collage of recent production and exhibitions from Media & Visual Arts. Pre-show entertainment begins at 7:00 p.m. as a brass ensemble performs outside the Eric Harvie Theatre, and selections from The Banff Centre’s Opera as Theatre and Dance Training programs are presented in the Eric Harvie Theatre lobby.

8:00 p.m., Eric Harvie Theatre, Tickets: Adults: $20; Seniors and students: $15, Children (under 12): $10.

Barbeque: Enjoy some refreshments while mingling with faculty and artists in summer programs and Banff Centre staff. FREE to Kick-Off Performance ticket holders. 9:30 p.m., outside the Music & Sound Building

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