Future Routes Festival Takes Centre Stage

There’s a serious birthday bash set to take place on Friday and Saturday at Yukon College, and the whole community is invited.

The Future Routes Festival honours the 15th anniversary of Bringing Youth Towards Equality (BYTE) and the 50th Anniversary of Yukon College. The College will host the party on its front lawn, complete with giant tents, live music, great food, and free bus service to and from the event.

Events kick off Friday morning at 10 a.m. with a Community Green Market, featuring local organizations and businesses with sustainable projects underway in the Yukon. From noon to 3 p.m. Alpine Bakery is catering a free lunch. While you eat great food check out Yukon Sustainability Talks (TED-like talks) presented by the City of Whitehorse, Raven Recycling, BYTE, Air North, and the Yukon Research Centre showcasing ideas about the Yukon’s sustainable future.

The first musical performances launch on Friday at 6 p.m., with local and outside acts taking centre stage in the tent. Headliner Cadence Weapon from Montreal brings his unique mix of conscious hip-hop lyrics and dance rhythms. Local First Nations rappers Vision Quest and Abstract Original, two groups making a serious splash this year at the Frost BYTE Battle of the Bands and Adäka Cultural Festival, will also share the stage along with MC Turmoil, Kelvin, and Kill The DJ.

On Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Tequila Mocking Bird Orchestra from Victoria will showcase their blend of roots and rock alongside local bands Death in Venice, Nicole Edwards and the Joy Seekers, Solid Fuel, Dead Simple, and Zipline. These groups hold special significance for event organizers because Nicole Edwards was a founder of BYTE and the other three groups all participated in past Frost BYTE Battles of The Bands at Yukon College.

The Future Routes Festival is a partnership between Yukon College, BYTE and Yukon College Student Union, and all are focused on engaging community members and youth through music, culture, advocacy, and education.

BYTE’s executive director Chris Rider is pumped about the festival.

“I’m so excited about the opportunity for us to put this on, to do something amazing for youth and talk to the community about the work we’re doing,” Rider says.

Josh Reghnier, student engagement coordinator for the Yukon College agrees.

“This is going to be big fun for our students and we look forward to welcoming the whole community to campus for the festival,” he says.

City of Whitehorse buses from downtown to Yukon College are free on Friday and Saturday. Tickets for evening music events are on sale now at YukonTickets.com, the Yukon Arts Centre Box Office, Arts Underground, BYTE, and Triple J’s Music Café. You can sign up to volunteer at the Future Routes Festival by emailing [email protected].

More information is available at YukonYouth.com or the Future Routes Festival event page on Facebook.

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