Get your yoga mats ready –Wanderlust will be back.
That’s the recent announcement by organizers following in the wake of the hugely successful first Canadian venue for the festival this past summer. Dubbed a one-of-a-kind festival, Wanderlust shies away from conventional definitions and embraces top musical acts alongside inspirational speakers, yoga sessions with the world’s leading teachers, food and wine and meditation hikes.
Tourism Whistler welcomes the announcement, stating it will continue to add quality to Whistler’s summer line-up of events and festivals.
“We’re excited about confirming the return of Wanderlust,” commented Breton Murphy, director of partnerships at Tourism Whistler.
He noted the festival’s success seemed assured from the start.
“When we look back at the event,” he said, “right from the beginning when we were having discussions with them, there seemed to be a good fit in terms of their goals and objectives.”
Those goals include creating an experience that’s unique and compelling, within a setting that’s inspirational and is connected to nature, Murphy noted.
“And so there’s definitely a solid alignment with the Whistler brand, given the passion for outdoor living and recreation in our mountain setting.”
A few of the highlights from the first-ever Wanderlust Whistler held in August included early morning meditations, all-night chakra spinning musical performances, farm-to-table dinners and peaceful walks in nature. Entertainment came in the form of soulful melodies from internationally renowned musician and peace activist Michael Franti and Spearhead, plus electronic music from Thievery Corporation and more.
There was always a need for a yoga mat during the Wanderlust festival, with sessions occurring throughout the day and night — and with names such as standup paddleboard yoga, intro to slackline yoga, and yoga for the tight-limbed boyfriends/dads/males in general, it appeared there was yoga for any and all skill levels.
As for opportunities for improvement for Wanderlust, Murphy said it boils down to communication and marketing.
The prospect of having conversations with potential festival-goers earlier in the season is critical, he explained.
It’s one of the reasons event organizers have made the announcement now and by doing so, “we can tap into the appetite that people have to start planning for events like this and put it in their calendar. That, to me, is one of the biggest opportunities, to get a head start on that communication and marketing outreach coming into 2013,” said Murphy.
Wanderlust Whistler is set to roll into town on Aug. 1 to 4, 2013.
Stayed tuned to www.wanderlustfestival.com for more announcements in February regarding the Whistler festival programming and ticket sales.
