The 22nd annual Talking Stick Festival 2023: Summer Reverb gets underway today through July 2, 2023, with events throughout Vancouver. Proudly located on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, the Festival celebrates and honours National Indigenous History Month.
The Talking Festival is a one-of-a-kind, inclusive event which features multidisciplinary artists. Headlining this year’s festival, is singer-songwriter and musician Logan Staats. Staats won the Indigenous Music Award for Best Radio Single “The Lucky Ones.” Also headlining, is DJ KOOKUM, an open format DJ and multi-media maker from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Cold Lake First Nations. Indigenous singer-songwriter, activist, and storyteller Pura Fé will also perform at multiple events throughout the month, intertwining her talents with cultural traditions.
Like the stars and water ripples reverberating outwards, the Festival’s theme, “Summer Reverb” brings together the idea of amplified sound and amplified voices in musical performances. The Talking Stick Festival celebrates diversity and inclusivity, welcoming Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Artists, and promises vibrant entertainment. The vast range of events include: a documentary screening, a theatre performance, a book launch (accompanied by a conversation with an award-winning author and local journalist), a Burlesque show, the Summer Reverb Gala, Dj Spins, and an immersive 4D audio performance.
June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, and on this day, the Talking Stick Festival features a diverse mix of ceremony, storytelling, dance and music, paired with a fashion show curated by a local designer. Indigenous Day Eve, on June 20, is also celebrated with an unforgettable event, spotlighting hip-hop and its connection to Indigenous traditions.
The festival concludes with a series of roundtables, welcoming an open discussion on various topics, including the evolving Canadian art landscape, which has been impacted by social justice movements, digital shifts, and new funding models.
“As a M?ori Pacific Islander producer from Aotearoa, I’m proud to be part of this year’s Talking Stick Festival. This event truly enhances the visibility of Indigenous arts, culture, and narratives. As we navigate beyond COVID-19, we stand on the precipice of a new era. Through the continued sharing and uplifting of our stories, we move towards an unequivocal truth – the future is Indigenous,” says Nathan Mudge from Full Circle.
The month-long celebration includes a mix of exclusive in-house produced events as well as co-productions with arts partners such as: The Cultch, Punctuate! Theatre, Massy Books, Massy Arts, Vancouver Public Library, Queer Arts Festival, Coastal Jazz, VIFF, Primary Colours/Couleurs Primaires, and Delinquent Theatre.
Offering something for everyone, Talking Stick Festival 2023 welcomes all ages from June 1 – July 2, 2023. With prices varying from free events and others starting at $15, tickets are on sale now at fullcircle.ca