Citizen staff
Supported by funding from EmbraceBC, the Come In From The Cold Workshop series will give residents of Prince George and in particular, youth, a chance to come together to explore and experience what multiculturalism, inclusion, diversity and racism mean to us.
The workshops will use music, brought to us by the amazing Coldsnap performers, to share experiences and stories.
These will be stories of being left out and stories of belonging; stories that help us understand the value our different cultures bring to our community, as well as stories of overcoming racist attitudes and of what could make Prince George an even more inclusive city.
Local visual artists will be onsite, sketching and photographing each event. At the Pillow Concert for children and families local artists will assist each one to make a personal contribution to a collaborative mural that will illustrate the collective experience of inclusion and diversity. Participants will also have an opportunity to eat together, as snacks and drinks are provided free of charge at all of these events.
The Come In From The Cold Free Workshop Series is the result of a unique partnership between Coldsnap Winter Music Festival (The Prince George Folkfest Society), Sarah L. Cunningham and several Prince George non-profit societies including The Fire Pit; a Cultural Drop-in Centre; Carney Hill Neighbourhood Centre Society; Multicultural Heritage Society; Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society; the Prince George Community Arts Council; Future Cents; Youth Around Prince; Street Spirits Theatre Company; the College of New Caledonia, and Les Cercle De Canadien Franais.
Everyone is welcome to attend workshops scheduled Jan. 22, 23, 28 and 29.
This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
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Share the Beat Drum Circle with Adonis Puentes Band, Candice George, Alan O'Reilly, Granville Johnson and other lead drummers at the Fire Pit; Cultural Drop In Centre, 1120 Third Avenue on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Drummers, sharing their different styles and music will come together to Share the Beat. Carrier, Celtic, Cuban and African drummers will all be there. An important part of this event will be the stories the drummers will share about their culture and about their experiences of racism, belonging, and diversity. Novice and student drummers are welcome to bring a drum and join the circle while everyone else is welcome to come, listen and share the beat. The event will wrap up with pie and hot drinks including tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Come, warm up with us, and Share the Beat.
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Open Minds with Open Mic will be hosted by the Good Lovelies and the April Verch at YAP Friends 1148 7th Avenue Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Doors open at 12:30. The Coldsnap performers will be joined by local musicians who are invited to add songs or any musical performance that explores inclusion, multiculturalism, diversity or racism and, because diversity and inclusion are valued, songs or music in any language and on any instrument are welcome. Free pizza and pop will be provided to everyone. To sign up to perform at Open Minds with Open Mic contact Brian at 250-565-6278 or by e-mail: [email protected], or use Facebook link:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=157616184277890&index=1
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Speak up for Justice will be hosted by Shad and Basia Bulat at YAP Friends, 1148 7th Avenue Friday, Jan. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. Doors open at 12:30. These two internationally-known Canadian artists sing about experiences and themes that affect all of us. A Shad reviewer said, "sharper and wittier flows than Drake and nearly as much social consciousness and indie rock scene appeal as K'naan" (The TORONTOIST) and of Basia Bulat, "Forget genres and influences; the one overriding quality of Bulat's music is her passion." Free popcorn, and other snacks and drinks will be available.
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Pillow Concert for Children and Families with Sultans of String takes place Saturday 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Connaught Youth Centre, 1491 17th Avenue and brings the Sultans of String to the Carney Hill neighbourhood to perform an engaging concert for children, parents and other neighbourhood residents. Using instruments from around the world, you can be sure they will encourage participation and movement by the younger audience members and everyone will find something to connect to in their stories and music. This free event will include a 45-minute concert, followed by a mural creation art activity and social time, where bannock, fruit and drinks will be provided at no charge.
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Warm Your Spirit with Street Spirits and artistic director, Andrew Burton at the Connaught Youth Centre, 1491 17th Avenue, Friday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will be guided through a dynamic acting process where topics such as racism, inclusion, multiculturalism and diversity will be tackled. This workshop is open to everyone, however people with an interest in acting may find it especially engaging, although no acting experience is necessary. Usually provided at a cost of $200 per participant, the workshop and hot lunch will be provided at no cost. There are only 25 spots available and pre-registration is required by contacting Sarah Cunningham at [email protected]. Participants may have an opportunity to be part of a Street Spirits show during the final Come in From the Cold event during the afternoon of Saturday Jan. 29.
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Sharing Worlds with Donne Roberts and Tom Landa, Neda Jalali will take place Friday, Jan. 28 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the College of New Caledonia Atrium. Led by international performers Donne Roberts and Tom Landa of Los Paperboys, as well as local musician Neda Jalali, stories and songs will be shared to stimulate conversation about inclusion, multiculturalism, diversity and racism. With microphones available to the audience, there will be space for those present to express their views. This event is open to all residents of Prince George with a special invitation to all of our international students both at CNC and at UNBC or local high schools.
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Come in From the Cold Workshop Series Wrap-up with Leonard Ward, David Wilcox, Street Spirits and the Paperboys will take place Saturday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. at ArtSpace, 1685 Third Avenue. Participants and volunteers from the six earlier workshops and all other interested people are invited to participate in a very exciting wrap up event, which includes an opening song by Leonard Ward a Cree Elder and Pipe Carrier with performances by David Wilcox and The Paperboys, and a performance by the Street Spirits Theatre Company.
For more information or to sign up for workshops contact Sarah at [email protected].
For more information about Coldsnap and all of the performers check out the Coldsnap website http://www.coldsnapfestival.com/festival/
