SIX NATIONS — As several exhibits will be closing in May, the Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) has released a calendar with a few notable items for next month and the following month of June for indigenous theatre and art junkies.
1. Salmon Girl, a music infused theatre, dance and puppetry performance will be reaching the centre on Sunday, May 13 at 4 p.m.. The work of Playwright Quelemia Sparrow from the Musquem First Nation and Choreographer Michelle Olson from the Tr’ondek /hwech’in First Nation sew their respective culture and perspectives together to create a story that is both meaningful and delightful all at once. The piece is open for all ages and follows the journey of a young girl into a magical world to share an indigenous perspective on the importance of Salmon. The performance lasts close to an hour and admission is pay-what-you-can.
2. The opening reception for the 43rd Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition (IAE) will be taking place in the evening of Saturday, May 26, at 7 p.m, which will be fully catered with live music. Established in 1975, the IAE is one of the longest running annual exhibits that provides established and emerging Indigenous artists a powerful opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in a fine art gallery setting. The centre is still extending a call to all artists of Indigenous ancestry to submit up to three works of art, for presentation in this year’s exhibit. The Featured Artist for this year is Catherine Dallaire, who brings to life traditional woodland art, Anishinaabe art and culture using her multidisciplinary hand. Her exhibit Gichitwaawizi’igewin: Honouring will open the same evening as the IAE and feature her unique form and balancing elements.
3. The centre is also thrilled to announce the Onkwehon:we (The Original Peoples) Festival set for June 15 – 17, which will focus on current haudenosaunee Artistic and cultural practices in both traditional and contemporary forms. Performances chosen from across Turtle Island for the festival will be of the highest caliber and multidisciplinary featuring visual arts, film, workshops, storytelling, dance, music and theatre. Lead up activities will be taking place at several partner sites around Six Nations and Brantford, as the intent for the festival is to provide a platform for Haudenosaunee artists and other indigenous nations from across Turtle Island to showcase their talents and gifts. The hope is to make the festival grow within a destination for artists, presenters, organizations and audiences.
For more information on an of the listed upcoming events check out www.woodlandculturalcentre.ca.
