
The 19th Annual Talking Stick Festival is taking the stage from today February 18 through February 29 bringing a vibrant celebration of Indigenous artistry to various venues around Vancouver.
Produced by Full Circle: First Nations Performance, Talking Stick Festival gathers Indigenous artists, and experts from around the world to share their talent and knowledge, presented through theatrical performances, music, dance, film a visual art exhibit, the Industry Series and Knowledge Sharing workshops, young audience and family programming, the annual Celebration of Powwow Culture, the Métis Fair, and much more.
The 2020 festival theme is Chén?chenstway, a Squamish word that translates as “upholding each other, lifting each other up”.
The festival opens with Wa× hoks en Shqalawin (Open Your Hearts) Opening Gala (Feb. 20, Roundhouse), featuring a range of exciting festival performers. RISING — Chén?chenstway Visual Arts Exhibit showcases the work of gifted Indigenous artists working in a variety of mediums
Other highlights from the 12 day festival include:
Tlakentli Dance-Theatre from Québec’s Productions Ondinnok; tells of two Indigenous artists from Mexico, of Nahua and Mixteco descent, as they share their quest for identity by drawing on their cultures and the history of their ancestors Feb. 21-23 at Roundhouse Community Centre
Matriarchs Uprising 1 & 2,curated by Olivia Davies, O.Dela Arts is a powerhouse presentation of contemporary dance and visual artistry from Australia, Canada and New Zealand in two evening programs Feb. 21 and 22 at The Cultch, Historic Theatre
Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish from Axis Theatre is Joseph Dandurand’s engaging tale from the Kwantlen First Nations Village of Squa’lets about Th’owxiya, an old and powerful spirit Feb. 18-21 at The Cultch, Historic Theatre or Feb. 22 at Musqueam Cultural Centre.
Celebration of Powwow Culture is an intercultural celebration of Indigenous Dance, the creative works of Indigenous artisans, and the warmth of Community. Feb 23 at Roundhouse Community Centre
Métis Fair an all-ages day of music, dance, food and more to celebrate Métis culture curated by Marion Gonneville takes place Feb 29 at Roundhouse Community Centre
Digging Roots finds a triple bill with the JUNO-winning global blues act sharing the stage with singer-songwriter Logan Staats, winner of CBC’s The Launch and the fabulous pan-American sounds of Quique Escamilla Feb. 22 at Roundhouse Community Centre
Ferron, the legendary feminist trailblazer and folk music icon performs for two nights with different guests, Feb. 25 w/ Ms. Pan!k and Feb. 26 w/ M’Girl at the Cultch York Theatre
UNYA’s #Indigenuity: Concrete Smudge showcases the work of emerging artists from the young urban Indigenous community Feb. 25 at Wise Hall.
The Coyote Way: (Going) Back Home is a short sci?fi/docu-narrative film about a young boy’s hard choices, from Director Missy Whiteman and FUKRY tells the story of Ching Yazzie and friends’ ups and downs, from Director Blackhorse Lowe – both are on Feb. 25 at Vancity Theatre
The above a just a hint a the multitude of cultural offerings being presented during the Talking Stick Festival. To find out the full schedule, details and tickets visit talkingstickfest.ca