The 14th annual Sechelt Arts Festival (SAF) stretches longer than ever before – from Oct. 5 to 22 – and is more jam-packed with exhibitions, workshops and performances.
With less than a week to the soft opening of the Festival, Coast Reporter contacted SAF co-producer Diana Robertson in her office. She was running on the adrenaline of excitement as she examined the already vigorous ticket sales to date for the opening feature performance of Syiyaya, Our Families, Our Stories, on Oct. 6 at Raven’s Cry Theatre.
Syiyaya means “relatives” in the shíshálh Nation language and the event is a story-telling project created for Canada’s 150th that tells personal stories and memories from the Sechelt area, from both indigenous people and later settlers. It includes live music, images and heritage vignettes all wrapped up in a multi-media, theatrical presentation from a multi-cultural professional cast of local actors. It is directed by Louise Phillips, who directed the popular Restless Spirits chair play a few years ago, and video director Tamar Kozlov, who is well known in the community for her storytelling through videography.
Though the official festival doesn’t begin until Oct. 5 with a reception open to the public from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Seaside Centre, there is a special event that begins even earlier. This spring with the assistance of School District No. 46 principals and teachers, dozens of stories were collected from local seniors and First Nation elders. The stories gave poignant and powerful insights about what life may have been like for their parents and grandparents and they have inspired visual art, Power Point, craft and literary projects produced by Chatelech and West Sechelt students. On Sunday, Oct. 1, for one day only, these projects will be on display at Sechelt’s Seaside Centre.
The Syiyaya event on Oct. 6 is ticketed, but admission to Origins, Legacies of Coast Art at the Seaside Centre is free.
“Art is teamed up with heritage in this exhibition,” said Robertson, who co-curated the show with Jessica Silvey. Seven local artists describe through their mediums how their grandparents, aunts and uncles inspired them and how their work lives on in their children. For example, artist Greta Guzek has painted a new work for this show, a tree, not unlike a family tree, in which her daughter represents the canopy and her son the roots. Both daughter and son will present their own work inspired by their mother’s art.
Several stimulating workshops are offered in cedar basket weaving, dance and video projection art, including a one-day, hands-on letter press demonstration on Oct. 12 for $25 and an interactive heritage display and free genealogy workshop.
On Oct. 13 a dance performance, Grease, incorporates traditional flamenco from the Karen Flamenco Dance Company and the modern tap of Troy McLaughlin on the Raven’s Cry stage.
Emerging Sounds on Oct. 14 takes place at the shíshálh Nation Community Hall. This event showcases youth in performance, but it’s open to all ages. “It’s very family oriented,” Robertson said. Last year it was a sell out, so buy tickets for $10 advance early online or in person at the Sechelt Visitor Centre.
That’s not all. Mimosa performs on Oct. 21, singing in English and French at the Raven’s Cry Theatre. Watch Coast Reporter for more about these later events closer to the time and pick up a SAF brochure at places where people gather. See www.secheltartsfestival.com for more.
