Kaha:wi Dance Theatre Presents their 5th Annual KDT: Summer Intensive

KDT will be hosting their 5^th Annual Summer Intensive (SI) program this coming July 8 – Aug 2, 2013 at Dancemakers, Studio 313 (15 Case Goods Lane). The one-of-a-kind program is a physical intensive that offers a foundation for understanding and interpreting the intersection of Indigenous and new dance performance.

The KDT SI program is a physical training intensive that offers a distinctive combination of Western-based and Indigenous dance styles complemented by alternative training systems. In a collegial atmosphere KDT offers classes in contemporary technique, Indigenous exploration, artistic dialogue, and creative training systems for new dance performance. The goal of KDT SI is to create a creative forum for artists to maximize physical training, body awareness, investigate and dialogue about Indigenous dance forms and explore performance.

KDT SI is designed for pre-professional dancers, professional dancers, performance artists, choreographers, directors, movement analysts, teachers, and/or anyone with a foundational training and experience in dance. KDT SI is open to people of all cultural backgrounds. Participants can attend the full 4 week program or select certain classes or instructors that suit their interest and training needs.

KDT is excited to announce this year’s incredible line-up of instructors including Artistic Director and choreographer, Santee Smith who will lead classes in signature Kaha:wi influence and styles; Toronto-based dancer, choreographer and teacher Louis Laberge-Côté who will lead classes in Contemporary; and former National Ballet Company dance artist and Ryerson University Faculty Tanya Evidente-Mandrino who will lead classes in Ballet. Guest instructors include internationally acclaimed Butoh artist and founder of Dairakudakan, Ko Murobushi (Japan) who will teach Butoh; internationally acclaimed performer and visual artist, Charles Koroneho (New Zealand) who will offer Muscle & Bone/Mind & Body classes; founder and Artistic Director of Zab Maboungou/Compagnie Danse Nyata Nyata, Zab Maboungou (Montreal) who will offer African Contemporary classes; renowned director of Native Pride Dancers Larry Yazzie (US) who will offer Powwow Styles; Artistic Director of Dreamwalker Dance Company and dance artist, Andrea Nann who will offer Gyrokinesis; founder of Dancing Earth Creations, Rulan Tangen (Santa Fe, US), who will offer Contemporary – “Embodying Story”; and the return of popular Gaga, with Repertoire by LeeSaar The Company.

KDT SI registration is open! Class sizes are limited. Early registration is encouraged.

All applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

For more information please visit our KDT Summer Intensive website:www.kahawidance.org/training

Save the date!
Saturday June 15th 2013 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Vancouver!

Dancers of Damelahamid and the Dance Centre present… LUU HLOTITXW: Spirit Transforming

Full-Length premiere
Tickets on Sale now at: www.ticketstonight.ca

“There is a process in which one moves within to come out again as another, it is a process of re-birth. It is only when in these in-between places that we have the ability to redefine ourselves and move forward.”

Spirit Transforming is the signature new dance work by the Dancers of Damelahamid, marking the culmination of the company’s creative visioning over the past decade.  We offer you this transformative piece which uses animation and multimedia to move through time and space and lead the audience in to the spirit world of the nox nox…

Spirit Transforming combines the richness and beauty of the tradition of masked dances of the Gitxsan and also explores presenting this genre in a minimalistic way in order to relook at its primary elements, the very essence of this dance form.

The dance piece tells a story that responds to these contemporary times through the main character’s portrayal of a young person in their search of self. It asks the question, “What is contemporary Aboriginal identity in traditional dance forms?” in order to create a complex understanding of diversity of Aboriginal artistic practices.

The story, in its entirety carries so much relevance to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in BC where we are threading together our sense of self and moving forward from our common colonial history.

Saturday June 15th 2013 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre
Doors open at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. No intermission.
677 Davie Street (at Granville) in the Faris Theatre (Vancouver, BC)
Tickets $25 Adults, $20 Students/Seniors + fees/taxes
www.ticketstonight.ca

Margo Kane and Lorne Cardinal

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again – Magnetic North Theatre Festival

Created by Michel Tremblay/Translated by Linda Gaboriau/Directed by Glynis Leyshon
A Western Canada Theatre Production (Kamloops, BC)
Starring Lorne Cardinal and Margo Kane

June 7-11, 2013
Running Time: 95min

In this hilarious and heartrending tribute to his mother, Canadian playwright Michel Tremblay has created one of the great female characters in Canadian theatre.  Lorne Cardinal, familiar as Sgt. Davis Quinton, the laid-back cop on CTV’s Corner Gas, plays the narrator, regaling us with tales about his feisty mother – a born storyteller with a love of exaggeration and invention.

Margo Kane, an award-winning actor and the Artistic and Managing Director of Full Circle First Nations Performance and the Talking Stick Festival in Vancouver, is every ounce the 1950’s homemaker as she irons, scrubs and tugs her husband’s underwear through the ringer.  Her tongue can be sharp and ruthless but she is the Narrator’s most influential teacher.   Even though she exasperates the son she so fiercely loves, she proves an inspiration for his art and the one to awaken his artistic passion.

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again is a loving portrait, a midlife Valentine’s card from Michel Tremblay to his late mother, who died of cancer before he rose to prominence.  Margo Kane’s performance as his long-suffering, but highly imaginative mother, highlights the imperfection of all mothers.  Her startling authentic portrayal is underpinned with love and intelligence and the humanity that inspired one of our greatest living playwrights.

Reviews:

“Kane and Cardinal are naturals, assuming their roles with an ease that reveals the hand of director Glynis Leyshon.”  Mike Youds – The Daily News, Kamloops.

“This play features two of the country’s most talented actors (Kane and Cardinal) performing a work that…is proof — if any is actually needed — that Michel Tremblay is Canada’s best living playwright.” – Dale Bass, Talon Book

For more information, check out the Magnetic North Theatre Festival’s website!

O’Kaadenigan Wiingashk (OKW) in association with Indigenous Performance Initiatives (IPI) and Public Energy are pleased to present TE TOKI HARURU: TUAHU Residency:

PURE – A SOLO PERFORMANCE at Market Hall Theatre, Choreographed and performed by Charles Koroneho in collaboration with Alejandro Ronceria

Friday, May 24 & Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 8:00 pm

An extraordinary gathering of performers and dancers in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) this month celebrates the innovative spirit of Indigenous performance worldwide. The catalyst for this inspiring convergence is the multi-talented New Zealand Maori choreographer, dancer, teacher and performance artist Charles Koroneho, who is in Peterborough to lead a six-day performance workshop, culminating in the presentation of a work-in-progress performance created by the Te Toki-Haruru: Tuahu workshop participants, Saturday May 11 at 7pm at the Market Hall Theatre, 140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough. This event will be presented as part of the 20th anniversary of the Emergency Festival of New Dance & Performance and admission is free. Mr. Koroneho’s own original performance work, Pure will be featured at Market Hall on May 24 & 25 at 8pm.

Charles Koroneho brings his distinctive vision and a wealth of performance theory to the performance workshop, as well as to his performances. Te Toki Haruru means the resounding adze in Maori, and Mr. Koroneho uses this as a conceptual platform to explore intercultural collaborations and the intersection between dance, theatre and performance art. The concept proposes a new philosophical space for Indigenous dance as an embodied form of performance research, employing Maori cultural perspectives to engage collaborative approaches. The intention of the Tuahu process is to align traditional practice to a ‘performance of community’ in order to give emergent work a cultural context. The workshop will enlist both the body and the imagination, engaging participants in solo choreography, improvisation and performance devising. Senior guest artists contributing to the workshop and the Pure performance are Alejandro Ronceria (direction, choreography and dramaturgy) and Brad Gledhill (performance design, lighting and production).

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Congratulations to Marie Clements for her short film Pilgrim, which was screened at Cannes 2013 Short Film Corner.

In Pilgrim, Robbe, a German tourist in his mid-forties, is partaking on a life-long dream of visiting the West Coast of Canada. His fantasies of being a part of the great “Indian” culture is one thing, but to actually be part of it requires Robbe to undergo a dangerous rite of passage in this black comedy, as determined by three aboriginal men who take him on a journey of self-evaluation.

Plus, here are artist Lisa Celetto’s drawings of the scenes for Pilgrim.

photo by Keesic Douglas

Great news! A Common Experience will screen at the Cannes 2013 Film Festival as a part of Telefilm Canada’s Not Short on Talent showcase.

The short-film is co-written, directed and co-produced by Shane Belcourt (NSI Totally Television, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program), co-produced by Duane Murray, co-written and starring Yvette Nolan.

A Common Experience is a poetic exploration of the multigenerational affects of Canada’s Indian Residential School system. This short film is based on the personal trials of Aboriginal playwright Yvette Nolan.

Starring Yvette Nolan & Lilia Greyeyes
Written by Shane Belcourt & Yvette Nolan
Based on the play “Dear Mr. Buchwald” by Yvette Nolan
Directed by Shane Belcourt
Produced by Duane Murray
Cinematography by Daniel Grant
Edit, Sound, and Score by Jordan O’Connor
A Breath Films Production

Director Shane Belcourt will attend along with Producer Duane Murray. Some news from Telefilm Canada, and the trailer:

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A Common Experience – Teaser from Shane Belcourt on Vimeo.

We Too Are “Idle No More”: UBC’s Non-Indigenous Scholars and the Politics of Engaging Indigeneity

A Centre for Culture, Identity and Education (CCIE) Project; in collaboration with the Office of the Associate Dean of Indigenous Education

FREE and open to the public
RSVP : http://tinyurl.com/cwvyqoy

DATE: Monday May 27, 2013

VENUE: University of British Columbia, Longhouse, Sty-Wet-Tan, 1985 West Mall. Map: http://bit.ly/aiSPhB

TIME: 8:30am to 5:30pm, 5:30 – 6:30 Mingler and further discussion

Welcome:  Elder Larry Grant

Opening Plenary Panel: Blye Frank, Dean of Education & Jo-ann Archibald, Associate Dean of Indigenous Education.

Closing Plenary Panel: Anna Kindler- Vice Provost, Academic & Linc Kesler- Senior Advisor to President on Aboriginal Affairs

This symposium will involve plenary and regular panels composed of non-indigenous administrators, faculty, graduate students and staff from a variety of units across UBC addressing the details and politics of engaging Indigeneity, with responses from Indigenous administrator and scholar discussants. While the project originates from the Faculty of Education, the aim is to provide an overview and details of work on academic and administrative topics and projects on indigeneity across UBC.

Symposium Details can be found on the front page NEWSFLASH section: http://ccie.educ.ubc.ca/

Co-sponsors: Faculty of Education – Year of Indigenous Education, Indigenous Education Institute of Canada, Department of Educational Studies and the Department of Language & Literacy Education; First Nations Studies Program; Office of the Provost and Vice President, Academic.

Contact: Joanne.oconnor@ubc.ca

The Alianait Arts Festival, which will run from June 28-July 1, has added new artists to its line-up including Leela Gilday, Nive Nielsen & the Deer Children and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory. Check out their website for more information!

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Position: Outreach and Recruitment Trainee
Organization: The Centre for Indigenous Theatre
Duration of Contract: May 2013 to March 31, 2014
Application Deadline: May 10, 2013
Start Date: May 21, 2013
Rate: $15.00 Cdn

The Centre for Indigenous Theatre offers training in the performing arts to students of Indigenous ancestry. The Centre’s goal is to develop and implement educational programs that promote and foster an understanding of Indigenous theatre while providing the highest calibre arts training to Indigenous students from across Canada. The Centre for Indigenous Theatre offers a three-year, post-secondary conservatory program as well as introductory summer intensive programs.

The Centre for Indigenous Theatre is accepting applications for Outreach and Recruitment Trainee. This full time, 35 hrs per week contract position aims to provide the successful applicant with a strong arts administrative background through support Outreach and Recruitment activities in conjunction with other core responsibilities within the organization.

Duties: The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting senior staff and consultants in the following areas:

Outreach: assist with development and implementation of local outreach activities within the Greater Toronto Area; provide accurate information regarding CIT’s programs;

Marketing & Promotion: assisting with student recruitment for CIT’s full-time and summer training programs; Distributing promotional materials electronically, mail, in person;

Office Administration: assist with filing, database management, written communications, responding to information inquires

Artist Liaison: working with individual artists and organizations to ensure that communications are clear and consistent. Act as artist liaison regarding travel and accommodation.

Required Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Understanding of Aboriginal Arts Community
• Valid Driver’s License is required; access to vehicle would be an asset

Funding for this position is made possible through Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training. Applicants must meet Miziwe Biik’s eligibility requirements and be of Aboriginal ancestry (First Nations, Metis, Inuit).

Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please send your application along with your Letter of Interest to JL Watson at citmail@indigenoustheatre.com, or via mail at:

The Centre for Indigenous Theatre
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 205
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1X3
Phone: 416-506-9436 Fax: 416-506-9430
www.indigenoustheatre.com email: citmail@indigenoustheatre.com

The Centre for Indigenous Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the following: Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training, Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Baagwating Community Association of the Mississaugas of Scugog First Nation, and BMO Financial Group,

SUMMER STUDENT DRAMA FACILITATOR

Post Date: April 26, 2013
Deadline for application: May 10, 2013 Location: Saskatoon, SK
Assignment: Full Time Summer Position
Pay Rate: $12.50/hour
Term: June 24-August 30, 2013

The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC) will engage a team of three facilitators in the delivery of the Metawewikamik Program. The facilitators will possess skills and knowledge required to provide a Cree culturally based drama camp. This summer, seven week-long programs will take place in urban, rural, and reserve locations throughout Saskatchewan.

Roles and Responsibilities

SNTC is looking for three facilitators for delivery of the 2013 Metawewikamik program, which will tour to different communities in the province this summer. As part of the team, you will work with youth ages 6-12 facilitating unique cultural and drama exercises, activities, and games. Each weekly program will conclude with a talent showcase performed by the youth for the community, coordinated by the facilitators.

Qualifications

• training and/or work experience in theatre and/or performing arts;
• a knowledge of First Nations language, culture, and peoples in Saskatchewan;
• a willingness to learn introductory Cree language skills and cultural practices
• experience working with children and youth;
• facilitation experience and group management skills are considered assets.

Summer student applicants must be registered or returning to school in the fall, and applicants must be bondable. A valid driver’s license and experience working with First Nations are also considered assets. Applicants must be willing to travel throughout the province as part of a team of workshop cultural arts facilitators. Applicants of Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) ancestry are encouraged to apply.

The Metawewikamik Program provides an opportunity for youth to be immersed in a cultural arts program that is fun, safe, and educational. The goal is to develop and foster their interests in the performing arts and reinforce awareness of First Nations culture and language.

Please send resumes to:
Alan Long, General Manager
Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company
914 20th Street West,
Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Y4
Phone: 306-933-2262 Fax: 306-933-2738
gm@sntc.ca

www.sntc.ca @sntc_ca facebook.com/sntc.ca

Alianait Arts Festival Announces 2013 Line-Up

The 9th annual Alianait Arts Festival takes place June 28 to July 1 and the 2013 line-up of performers will deliver a mix of world-class music and a long weekend filled with fun, families & friends and creativity.

Organizers are excited to announce another stellar line-up of performers, including Greenland folk legend Rasmus Lyberth, Australian world indigenous performer Tjupurru, British Columbia’s cultural icon Kinnie Starr and from Halifax, the “quintessential Maritime musician” JP Cormier.

We are thrilled to feature 2 performances of A Circumpolar Soundscape that brings together the dynamic talents of northern Aboriginal singer-songwriters Diyet, Sylvia Cloutier, and Nive Nielsen. A remarkable collaboration that was featured at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, has toured Greenland and opened the National Arts Centre’s Northern Scene Festival. http://magnumom.ca/artists/bio/a-circumpolar-soundscape

“The theme of Alianait 2013 is Enchanted Owl in celebration of the late Kenojuak Ashevak, and we will be celebrating with cultural performances of music, film, storytelling, dance and visual arts,” said Board Chair Franco Buscemi. “We are excited to once again be able to bring together a fantastic array of talent for our audience to discover and enjoy.”

From June 29 to July 1, Iqaluit will be bustling with performances and activities in the Canadian North Big Top Tent and Nakasuk School. Highlights include a Canada Day Concert featuring the Gjoa Band, a Kids Fest featuring aboriginal puppeteer Rabbit and Bear Paws and Battle of the Bands where local & visiting groups compete for cash prizes.

Nunavut artists performing for the first time at the Alianait Arts Festival are Kelly Fraser, Koel & the Twin Otters and Billy Kuksuk and we’re always thrilled to present Iqaluit favourites The Jerry Cans. We also pleased to introduce Toronto acapella group Eh440, Alberta fiddler Wesley Hardisty and Nova Scotia’s electrifying gypsy jazz band Gypsophilia.

ALIANAIT ARTS FESTIVAL 2013 PERFORMERS

Billy Kuksuk Arviat Blues/Gospel

Diyet Whitehorse Contemporary rock, roots

Eh440 Toronto Accapella pop

Gjoa Band Gjoa Haven Inuit traditional

Gypsophilia Halifax Gypsy jazz / world

J P Cormier Halifax Roots

Kelly Fraser Sanikiluaq Rock/country/pop

Kinnie Starr Toronto Urban pop

Koel & the Twin Otters Iqaluit Pop/soul/alt

Nive Nielsen Nuuk Folk pop

Rabbit & Bear Paws Peterborough Interactive puppet show

Rasmus Lyberth Copenhagen World folk

Sylvia Cloutier Iqaluit

The Jerry Cans Iqaluit Country Reggae

Tjupurru Australia World electronics

Wesley Hardisty Salt Spring Alternative/roots/rock

Call for Submissions: Director for “A False Face” by Jeff D’Hondt

CALL FOR A DIRECTOR:

A mainstage show in the 2013 Vancouver International Fringe Festival.
“A False Face” by Jeff D’Hondt

Hunter Stowe, a gifted Aboriginal palliative care worker determined to help people die peacefully, meets Jake Montour, an Aboriginal addictions counsellor terrified that he’ll soon be as shattered as his clients. More comfortable with death than life, Hunter somehow connects with Jake, not realizing that he’ll soon become the ultimate test of her true nature. Who is Hunter Stowe: therapist, lover or a false face?

Project Description:
Inspired by the playwright’s own experiences as a social worker in penitentiaries, hospitals, supportive housing and mental health programs, A False Face blends elements of comedy, drama, science and Aboriginal spirituality: a sort of sci fi love story, streaked with sardonic humour,  and insights into the minds of the people trusted to help us in our weakest moments. Written for a cast of two in minimalist settings (a palliative care clinic, a lakeshore, two living rooms, a movie theatre, and a city bus), this play examines notions of memory, romantic love, and redemption.

The playwright/producer is currently looking for a talented and ambitious director to help bring this exciting new play to the stage in September 2013.

The ideal directorial candidate will be a well-connected member of the Toronto or Vancouver theatre communities, who is in the early-to-mid stages of his/her career. They will be expected to collaborate closely with the playwright/producer on all aspects of the production, including: casting, designing, budgeting, fund-raising and marketing. Applications from indigenous directors are highly encouraged.  Anyone with an innovative voice, a keen sense of the dark side of love, and a keen sense of how to mine humour or compassion from the bleakest of moments, will be welcomed.

The performances will take place in Vancouver; rehearsals and preproduction will occur in Toronto. Financial compensation will follow a profit-sharing model. Transportation to and from Vancouver and accommodation costs for the festival will be covered by the producer.

Interested applicants are asked to send a cover letter and CV to jeffdhondt.esq@gmail.com