Entertainment News

A passionate spokesperson for her brainchild, the Rarearth Jazz and Blues Fest, Kath Raeber can certainly “talk the talk,” but she really impresses people with her willingness to “walk the walk.”

Scheduled for August 8 and 9 at Vernon’s Kin Race park, Rarearth is about to entertain music lovers for the second time.

The event is essentially bankrolled by Raeber, who is not afraid to put her own financial well-being on the line in order to make the music festival an enduring part of Vernon’s cultural and entertainment scene.

In its initial run last August, Rarearth featured an impressive array of international and local talent, but it didn’t draw as well as Raeber had hoped. Its late August date meant that it competed directly with Armstrong’s hugely popular IPE. This year’s August 8 and 9 dates give the high energy event a much better chance of being in the black.

Raeber has heard critics say that the North Okanagan is already well-served with Komasket and Salmon Arm’s Roots and Blues, both of which also happen in August.

“Every town is entitled to having its economic development pushed. Why don’t we do things that help local businesses and the local economy? Rarearth is unique in its eclectic lineup last year, there were 20 different acts, each with its unique flavour,” says Raeber.

She says this year’s version also has a rich and varied lineup, starting with headliner Buddy Guy, a five-time Grammy winner. In addition to the professional musicians, this year’s event has Stage Right, a second stage that will feature performers from this spring’s “Our Kids Have Talent” contest.

Rarearth also is unique in its strong emphasis on environmental concerns. For Raeber, saving this “rare earth” is more than just talk. Her event walks the environmental walk in several ways. Rarearth will feature biodegradable food containers and cutlery water will be supplied to people who bring their own containers a host of “green team” volunteers will keep the venue clean plastic will be outlawed. All disposable items will be recyclable.

Her event’s rare earth concept was born out of two strands of thought and concern. While singing at Kelowna’s Heartland music event, she was moved by the joy of performing outdoors for a large audience, especially in her beloved Okanagan. Later, she was in Cozumel when Hurricane Wilma hit and she was saddened by the sight.

Planning an event of this size demands time and energy. Again, Raeber has walked that walk. Last year, for example, she didn’t have as many experienced volunteers as she does now, so she took on most of the planning herself. She estimates that she averaged about two or three hours sleep per night in the three months leading up top the event.

“Every time I went to sleep, I’d dream about it, and I’d wake up thinking this or that needs to get done. To start with, I worked day and night getting Rarearth on the Web and finding local support.”

This year, she has 10 team leaders who have relieved the burden of tending to hundreds of planning details.

“I’ve been fortunate to find people with energy and smarts. This has become their event, too. I’m trusting that they will do the job that I wanted to do last year. Rarearth will operate with about 200 volunteers this year.“

In person, Raeber radiates energy and commitment, the kind of life force that inspires others and models the enthusiasm that draws in good people to work on the event. Toronto’s acclaimed blues singer, Rita Chiarelli, who will again sing at Rarearth, calls Raeber “a force to be reckoned with.” That’s exactly the kind of force required to get a fledgling community event off the ground. Such an event needs business support, especially in its first few years, and Rarearth is getting support, says Raeber, “especially from companies like Century 21, Okanagan Springs Brewery, Kal Tire, KISS FM, and Shaw Cable, all of whom have been on board right from the beginning.”

Her energy will really get tested when Kath and her Tom Kats band hit the stage during Rarearth. These appearances once again demonstrate that she is always ready to walk that walk.

But one woman’s energy is not enough to pull off a big event, with its associated risks. Will the weather cooperate? Will sufficient numbers of fans show up? Given such unknowns, why is Kath Raeber willing to take the risk?

“I’m a driven person, always have been, and I love doing new things. I believe in this venture. Besides I love Vernon so much I love children, too, and I want them to know that adults care about the environment, that musicians care. In my mind, all of this comes together. Rarearth is just worth doing.”