It appears a seed has been planted for a future Fort Langley Celebration of the Arts (FLCA).

The inaugural celebration took place Saturday and Sunday (July 28-29) at three Village venues: the Chief Sepass Theatre, Langley Centennial Museum, and the Fort Langley Community Hall. The hall hosted all of Sunday's performances.

FLCA chair David James said the festival went very well, in spite of having medium to small audiences, numbering around 250 in total, over the two days.

"Performers were outstanding, and audience response varied between the very positive and the ecstatic," James said.

The FLCA was a collaborative effort involving James and what he described as "a group of very creative and enthusiastic artists who gave the idea form and substance."

Those involved with this year's FLCA are already discussing the strategies and possibilities for next year.

"Marketing our celebration will be emphasized now that we have a successful experience as a platform," James said. "We have planted a seed which must now to be nurtured."

Performers included:

Norman Foote, a Canadian entertainer who, according to his bio, mixes "clever hooks, witty wordplay and comedy, all to great effect."

Susan McCaslin, a poet who has authored 11 voluntmes of poetry, including her most recent, Demeter Goes Skydiving.

Amanda Tosoff, a jazz pianist and composer who has emerged as one of the top new talents on the Canadian jazz scene.

The Willie MacCalder Band. Considered to be one of Canada's finest blues pianists, MacCalder plays and sings a wide range of blues and R&B styles.

The Bergmann Piano Duo of Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann. Their recitals and concerts with orchestras have taken them to many parts of the world and they have appeared at international festivals.

And John Lee Sanders and his band. Sanders is a 2007 Emmy-nominated composer and winner of three 2009 Canadian Music Awards.

James said the performers were a highlight, as was the response of the audiences, which exceeded his wildest expectations.

"We had excellent performers and the audiences responded very enthusiastically," James said. "Our volunteers did a marvellous job. And our sponsors were outstanding - their generosity quite extraordinary."

The idea for the celebration coalesced during the spring of 2011, and a committee formed as a working group late last summer.

"We want to create an event which celebrates the arts within a context of this beautiful village as a stage, and which grows over the coming years," James said.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com