#yegfestivals

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with Art

The summer solstice has special resonance in Canada as it coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Day.

National Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes and celebrates the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. First celebrated as National Aboriginal Day in 1996, the day was renamed in 2017. June 21 was chosen for many reasons, including its cultural significance as the Summer solstice, and because many Indigenous peoples and communities traditionally celebrate their heritage on the solstice. 

This weekend presents a perfect opportunity to visit ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞  - Edmonton’s Indigenous Art Park. The result of a deep multiyear partnership between Edmonton’s Indigenous communities and artists, the City of Edmonton, and the Edmonton Arts Council, the park celebrates and tells the stories of ‘this place.’

Situated within the historic Queen Elizabeth Park on the south side of Queen Elizabeth Park Road, the six artworks examine and evoke millennia of Indigenous history. 

Curated by Candice Hopkins, the park features: iskotew - Amy Malbeuf (Rich Lake, Alberta), pehonan - Tiffany Shaw-Collinge (Edmonton, Alberta), mikikwan - Duane Linklater (Moose Cree First Nation, Ontario), mamohkamatowin (Helping One Another) - Jerry Whitehead (James Smith First Nation, Saskatchewan), Reign - Mary Anne Barkhouse (Nimpkish Band, Kwakiutl First Nation, British Columbia), and Preparing to Cross the Sacred River - Marianne Nicolson (Dzawada'enuxw Nation, British Columbia).

Earlier this month, ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ was the only Canadian public art project to receive recognition as one of the 50 most compelling public art projects in North America through the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Year in Review. You can read more about ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ here. 

Here are a few more events to take in.

Art Gallery of Alberta: Today, the AGA offers free admission all day (until 5:00pm) and special programming. Take in exhibitions featuring the work of First Nations and Métis artists, including Cul-de-Sac and Fix your hearts or die. 

Royal Alberta Museum The RAM fills its space with artists and performers presenting music, dance, storytelling, and art in celebration of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. Activities include lessons on making a drum, bark basket or moss bag. Go behind the scenes to tour RAM’s Indigenous Studies collection. Join in with traditional dance and drumming performances or hear stories in the courtyard. Activities and performances run until 8:00 pm.  

Friday, June 21, 2019

IndigiSoulstice - National Indigenous Peoples Day: Two stages and one night of Indigenous art, fashion and music. Live performances, special guests and Natives Got Talent Music Challenge. Located at the Art Gallery of Alberta (2 Sir Winston Churchill Square) until 8:00 pm

The Works Art & Design Festival

The Works Stage (Alberta Legislature Grounds) 2:00 – 10:45 pm The Works, in collaboration with Festival Edmonton Chante, presents a day of music words from a variety of Indigenous artists and musicians - Chubby Cree, Cindy Paul, Daniel Richer dit LaFlèche, Elisapie, and Samian.

The Appropriation Arsan Buffin Site 1 – Capital Plaza The Appropriation Indigenizes advertising using stock photos highlighting the lack of Indigenous People in media.

Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools Site 2 – Legislative Assembly of Alberta Visitors’ Centre - Borealis Gallery Monday – Wednesday; Friday – Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm / Thursday – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm A powerful traveling exhibition by the Legacy of Hope Foundation that explores the history and consequences of the Residential Schools System in Canada with the goals of contributing to the healing and understanding required for reconciliation. 

Stoney Nakoda Sioux Exhibit Various Artists Site 24 - Galerie Cité – 8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury Monday-Saturday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm / Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Containing diverse works form members of the Stoney Nakoda Sioux Audio Visual Club, this exhibition rallies the power of story and the potential of the Nakoda people.

The Future, All At Once Lauren Crazybull Site 25 – McMullen Gallery 8448 112 Street (Main Floor - U of A Hospital)Monday Friday 11:00am-7:00 pm Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a, - 5:00 pm (Closed July 1) Alberta’s first Artist in Residence, Lauren Crazybull, wishes to tell a story of Indigenous Futures from the perspective of her younger self.

Saturday June 22, 2019

Edmonton Indigenous Peoples Festival Edmonton Expo Centre, Hall A & North Plaza - 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. A day of free & family-friendly interactive experiences, cultural demonstrations, artisans, cuisine, and live concerts celebrating First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples and cultures.

Look out for new and emerging festivals in Edmonton!

Edmonton’s residents and visitors gather, participate and celebrate at festivals year-round. The Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) and the City of Edmonton recognize the contribution that festivals make to our community and encourages their success through Community Investment Programs such as the Festival Seed program. Through Festival Seed, the EAC invests in new and emerging festivals in Edmonton to support their growth and stability at an early stage.

>> Click here to learn more about our Festival Seed grant...

In 2017, the EAC received 11 applications for the Festival Seed program, seven of which were successful through peer jury review. Three of the festivals returned for their second and final year of the program, and will now qualify to move into the Festival Operating stream in 2018. The other four festivals are new to the program, with two hosting their inaugural year.

Afro Fest YEG

July 13 to 15, 2018 | Central McDougall Park | afrofestyeg.com

Afro Fest celebrates the colourful, rich and diverse cultures of Africa, and peoples of African descent. Taste of Africa will feature tasty Injera and Koki, the Arts and Craft Village will showcase African artworks, children will enjoy the Kid’s Corner filled with storytelling, crafts and games, and the stage will be filled with musical performances by international and local artists.

IMAGE: AfroFest opens in 2017. Photo by Tope Akindele.

Animethon

August 10 to 12, 2018 | Shaw Conference Centre | animethon.org

The Alberta Society for Asian Popular Arts is proudly presenting their 25th Animethon in 2018. This annual festival celebrates Asian popular arts and culture through musical performances, an artist alley, film screenings, panel discussions, cosplay competitions, and more!  Although Animethon is an established festival, this is their first year applying to the EAC. Increasing public demand has created a need for growth, and spurred a move from their regular home at MacEwan University to the Shaw Conference Centre.

IMAGE: performance by Japanese singer Mika Kobayashi at Animation 24. Photo by Patrick Zen.

Dancing in the Park

July 6 to 8, 2018 | Borden Park | toygunstheatre.com

Organized by Toy Guns Dance Theatre, Dancing in the Park brings performance and social dance to Edmonton in an accessible, entertaining, and impactful way. The festival presents a mixed bill of local and national performing groups as well as dance lessons, live music and an all ages party. They will also invite an international choreographer to create a performance piece specifically for the festival.

IMAGE: 2016 Dancing in the Park at the Alberta Legislature Grounds

Edmonton Filipino Fiesta

June 8 to 10, 2018 | TBC | edmontonfilipinofiesta.com

Edmonton Filipino Fiesta is a family-oriented celebration that provides an opportunity to showcase the depth and richness of Filipino culture through arts, entertainment, traditions, and food. Some of the favourite mainstay attractions include the parade, martial arts demonstrations, and Fiesta Stage featuring traditional and contemporary performances.

IMAGE: "Larawan Project" collaborative mural created at the 2017 Edmonton Filipino Fiesta. Visitors at the Fiesta Family Zone were asked to contribute by depicting what “My Canada, My Story" meant to them.

Edmonton Flamenco Festival

April 18 to 22, 2018 | Winspear Centre | edmontonflamencofestival.com

The second annual Edmonton Flamenco Festival is new to Festival Seed and will bring high-level Spanish artists to Edmonton to showcase traditional flamenco. The festival offers a mainstage performance at the Winspear as well as workshops in song, dance, rhythm, and guitar with international artists.

IMAGE: 2017 Edmonton Flamenco Festival’s Main Stage Performance “Tablao Sevilla, Flamenco at the Winspear” featuring six internationally acclaimed performers from Seville, Spain. Photo by Marc J Chalifoux Photography.

UFest Edmonton Ukrainian Festival

May 25 to 26, 2018 | Borden Park | ufest.ca

The Edmonton Ukrainian Festival Society invites Edmontonians to the largest celebration of Ukrainian spirit in Alberta – showcasing the best of Ukrainian arts and culture. Come out for local, national and international performers, cultural/craft workshops and demonstrations, traditional Ukrainian food and beverages, and a cultural marketplace featuring local and regional vendors. This inaugural festival is new to the Festival Seed stream; if you want to get more involved check out their website for vendor and artist calls.

IMAGE: UFest Banner

Winter Blues Festival

February 17 to 18, 2018 | St. Basil's Center | edmontonbluessociety.net

The Edmonton Blues Society (EBS) is hosting their first Winter Blues Festival to provide a safe and fun blues festival experience for all ages. Featuring ten bands over two days, the headliners include Dangerous Guise and Boogie Patrol. EBS has been facilitating local blues events since 2006 and we hope they will bring the Winter Blues for many more years. Get your early bird Weekend Pass before February 10!