The theme for this year’s ten-day Sechelt Arts Festival (SAF) is Our Precious Resource: Water. Not coincidentally it fits in very well with issues of concern to poet/singer/spoken word artist Kinnie Starr who will appear at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 15. Her feature song and award-winning, provocative video Save Our Waters is a memorable anthem and will be part of the presentation.
“She enthralled people at the writers’ festival,” said SAF co-producer Diana Robertson, adding that many people don’t realize that Starr is a resident of the Sunshine Coast. Her work is melodic and Robertson points out that there is an aboriginal lilt to some of her pieces. Starr is a woman of many talents: she is Calgary-born of French, German, Irish and Mohawk bloodlines, she speaks English, French and Spanish and has a degree in Race and Gender Studies from Queen’s University, Ontario.
She is also a published author and illustrator who has worked in youth arts activism and mentorship. She teaches a self-esteem boosting, literacy-focused, rhythm-based and uplifting hip-hop program aimed at helping LGBT and First Nations youth – and all kids – find their voice and power. During this performance in Sechelt, she will be backed by her band.
As a special tribute to the shíshálh Nation’s 30th anniversary of self-government, the performance at the Raven’s Cry Theatre on Friday, Oct. 14 will feature the Dancers of Damelahamid. Their latest presentation, Flicker, opened last summer at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and has been on a successful tour. This group is more contemporary than traditional and they feature work from choreographer and artistic director Margaret Grenier. The Vancouver-based professional aboriginal dance company uses a rich history of masked dance and costumes in their work along with multi-media special effects. Their stories have a narrative inspired by their northwest coast Gitxsan heritage. The shíshálh xwamtsut traditional dance and music group will introduce this special performance.
Following the critical acclaim for the past three curated contemporary art exhibitions, this year’s Waterworks, a ten-day curated art exhibition at the Seaside Centre, will examine the story of water through the eyes of Coast artists. It includes a striking six-metre high waterfall created by a collaboration of four fibre artists.
Artists Kristjana Gunnars and Miyuki Shinkai will be showing again as they did last year – the others are new to this exhibition but not new to their art.
The annual Heritage Exhibit hosted by the tems swiya museum will feature The Salmon People including the shíshálh Salmon Boy legend, the cultural influence of salmon, and the shíshálh vision for local salmon sustainability. This exhibit stays open through Art Crawl weekend, Oct. 21 to 23.
Local a cappella group Vocal Intent will present a special concert to open a weekend of water-inspired music. It includes composer/pianist Nir Blu and, for the kids, a special appearance by Matt Diamond and the fearless Purple Pirate to entertain all ages on Family Day. Over eight free workshops are offered, ranging from watercolour art for kids, to dying natural wool, to Soundwalk featuring a tour of the Sechelt Water Resource Centre, plus the popular Emerging Sounds musical evening.
The Festival runs this year from Thursday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 23 at various Sechelt venues with an opening reception at the Seaside Centre on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. It is brought to you by the presenting sponsor, the District of Sechelt, with funding from corporate sponsors and Heritage Canada. Many events are free; tickets for the two evening performances are $25 advance and $30 at the door or $10 student prices. Purchase your tickets online (by credit card) or in person at the Sechelt Visitor Centre (cash only). See www.secheltartsfestival.com for more information.
