Storytelling, music and workshops at B.C. Culture Days | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Current Conditions Mostly Cloudy  10.9°C

Kelowna News

Storytelling, music and workshops at B.C. Culture Days

FILE PHOTO - A sculpture framed against the smoke-filled skies.

WEST KELOWNA - The Government of British Columbia has officially proclaimed Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, 2016 as B.C. Culture Days. Westbank First Nation, the City of West Kelowna and Peachland Community Arts Council will kick off the seventh annual Culture Days weekend, a three-day celebration of arts, culture, and heritage, through free, hands-on activities.

“Arts and culture contribute to a positive quality of life and well-being and are at the heart of the creative economy, one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the world. B.C. Culture Days is a time for all British Columbians to celebrate the creativity and vibrancy found in every community throughout our province,” Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development says.

The provincial launch is presented in cooperation with the Suk'wtemsqilx'w West Kelowna Arts Council (SWAC), an arts council uniting the two communities of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation through cultural partnerships and collaboration. SWAC is the first organization of its kind in British Columbia and was conceived as a result of the overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the inaugural Westside Culture Days in 2014.

Artists, businesses and community members came together to celebrate the arts and cultural life of both Westbank First Nation and West Kelowna communities, creating a unified sense of partnership and cultural identity. In 2015, Westside ranked number one across Canada in their population category for the highest number of registered Culture Days activities.

"This year, Westside Culture Days is coordinated by SWAC; it is, after all, where the arts council came from and why we are here. The Westside is huge, but encompasses two main communities: Westbank First Nation and West Kelowna and now, we are thrilled to welcome (the District of) Peachland as well," Julia Trops, SWAC Chair says.

Festivities will begin with a stage program emceed by Westbank First Nation councillor, Chris Derrickson, and will include an Orange Shirt Day ceremony in honour of residential school survivors. The public is invited to view performances, take part in workshops and demos, and enjoy food from a variety of local vendors.

The evening will feature a range of onstage entertainment, including a dance performance by Westbank First Nation's Candice Jack, storytelling presented by Westbank First Nation representative, Jordan Coble, and musical performances by Peachland Variety Singers, Rachel Layne, Marty Edwards, and Bjorn Kriel.

"Our artists are open-hearted and diverse and welcome all levels of ability and knowledge. Whether the public lives on the Westside or the outside, they have so many opportunities to engage with our artists and partners, from supplemental and secret techniques to learning how to do something themselves. Learning equals empowerment in our formula," Trops says.

Culture Days was conceived in response to the growing recognition that a vibrant arts and cultural sector contributes directly to a healthy and economically-diverse society.

Individual artists, cultural groups, organizations, municipalities, and festivals offer free, participatory, and interactive arts and cultural activities during the Culture Days weekend each year. Culture Days represents the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in Canada.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016
iNFOnews

  • Popular penticton News
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile