Native Women in the Arts.

Song Creation: a Three-day Voice Intensive From March 31 – April 2, 2006, 15 Aboriginal women participants explored traditional and contemporary song creation, singing as physical experience, breath control and capacity, resonance, and care of the voice. In this practical, hands-on experience, the Voice Intensive participants explored solo and collaborative compositions. Friday March 31, 2006: 2 pm – 7 pm Saturday April 1, 2006 : 12 noon – 6 pm Sunday April 2, 2006 : 12 noon – 6 pm Living Earth Studio, Toronto $75 fee for intensive Ten Thousand Waves: a Dance Intensive and Collaboration From March 27 – April 1, 2006, twelve Aborginal women and men participated in the first phase of a new dance project, Ten Thousand Waves. Ten Thousand Waves focused on Aboriginal women’s relationship to the natural world and especially to water – seas, oceans, rivers, fresh lakes, waterfalls and streams. Ten Thousand Waves is interested in exploring this centuries old connection by linking contemporary Aboriginal dance expression to ecological knowledge and integrity. This one week intensive workshop was open to 12 Aboriginal women dancers, choreographers and performers. March 27 – April 1, 2006 from 11 am – 4 pm Dovercourt Penthouse, Toronto $80 fee Songs from Above the Treeline On Wednesday March 29 and March 30, 2006, two concerts introduced the rarely heard sounds, sights and talents of Inuit and Dene women artists who are from the north: above the treeline. These top artists represent traditional, electronic, rock, folk and contemporary musical genres all influenced by their distinct northern cultures. Included in this innovative line-up were Tanya Tagaq, Lucie Idlout, Nukariik Throat Singers and Leela Gilday. Wed March 29 and Thurs March 30, 2006 Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West (at Gladstone Ave.just east of Dufferin Ave) Toronto 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30pm) COST: $20 These concerts were part of an exciting city-wide initiative from Live With Culture. Live With Culture is a 16-month celebration of Toronto’s extraordinary arts and cultural communities, shining a spotlight on the vibrant and diverse activities happening in the city each and every day. From September 2005 until the end of 2006, Live With Culture showcased the vast scope of the city’s culture of creativity and inspires culture in Toronto to become a daily part of everyone’s life. Igniting the Spirit - Native Women in the Arts celebrated ten years of artistic discovery, perseverance and excellence on Wednesday May 28, 2003 to a packed house of 500+ people at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto. This spectacular evening paid tribute to Native Women in the Arts' outstanding achievement and contribution to arts and culture. The stellar line-up included: two-time Juno Award Winner singer and songwriter Susan Aglukark; internationally acclaimed filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin; 2003 World Champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig; singer Lucie Idlout; Inuit girl throat-singers Kendra Tagoona and Emily Karpik; Kanenhi:io Singers; jingle dress dancer Karen Pheasant & grass dancer Matthew Pheasant; award-winning poet Chrystos; and special guests, jazz artist Jane Bunnett and blues dynamo Jackie Richardson. The evening resounded with cheers, laughter, tears, ignited spirits and a sense of occasion. My Home as I Remember, a landmark volume, co-produced with Natural Heritage Publishers, celebrates the exceptional talents of 62 First Nations, Inuit and Metis women writing from the heart on identity and place at the turn of the 21st century. To date, NWIA has published over 155 Aboriginal women from Canada, the United States, Mexico and New Zealand. Red Spring Sisters, an extraordinary evening of diverse vocal and instrumental music, took center stage at Toronto's prestigious Glenn Gould Studio in May 2002. This concert marked a distinct offering to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal audiences, and offered multigenerational talent rarely seen on Toronto's stages. Song Creation, in conjunction with the concert, was a three-day voice intensive incorporating traditional and contemporary styles of singing, exploring group and solo composition, and moving toward an awareness of vocal, emotional, and physical through specific voice and body training techniques. Seed 2 Stage, an unprecedented evening of dance expression of Aboriginal women dancers and choreographers at Dancemakers in May 2001 was listed as Critic's Choice in The Globe and Mail. Dance performances ranged from Jingle Dress to Inuit Mask Dance to Aboriginal contemporary dance; our special guest was Japanese Butoh dancer Denise Fujiwara. 2003's Moving Towards Effective Leadership featured facilitators Sylvia Maracle and Vern Douglas. This two-part leadership intensive encouraged women and men to realize their potential through highly interactive exploration of Aboriginal models of leadership, confidence building and cultural revitalization. Catalyst Café, a monthly participatory café launched in 2002, stimulates creative courage and civic engagement. This innovative series offers artists, community workers and the general public the opportunity to discuss important topics, facilitated by an artistic or community leader. Such facilitators include Chrystos, Sylvia Maracle, Shelley Niro, Shannon Thunderbird, Simon Ortiz, Kateri Damm, and Aboriginal Australian Kenny Laughton, among others.



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