Jun 22 2020
Edmonton, AB (June 22) – Dreamspeakers and Punctuate! Theatre present THE VIRTUAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST HUB. We are bringing together diverse communities to celebrate and appreciate local Indigenous art virtually. The Hub will feature nine video interviews, hosted by local multidisciplinary Métis performer Rebecca Sadowski, and profile the work of some of our community’s most exciting Indigenous artists. The videos will be released every Tuesday and Thursday from June 30 – July 28 and will be accessible for free on the Punctuate! and Dreamspeakers social media and websites.
Dreamspeakers Executive Director Christine Sokaymoh Frederick (urban Aboriginal Cree-Métis) comments on the impact of the Hub: “In an ever-changing world Indigenous artists prove once again that they are ever adaptable and ever creative. Dreamspeakers is proud to support Indigenous artists and this hub as we create new territory where traditional knowledge and contemporary artistry can grow.”
Punctuate! Theatre Artistic Director Matthew MacKenzie (Métis) describes the Hub as “a unique opportunity to introduce local Indigenous artists to a much larger audience than might be possible under normal circumstances since so many people are at home and online. With this initiative we hope to provide a platform for many local Indigenous artists and an exciting vehicle for community and cultural exchange and development.”
The Virtual Indigenous Artist Hub was a project pivoted from a live in-person Hub meant to occur alongside the Edmonton premiere of After the Fire by Matthew MacKenzie as part of the Citadel Theatre’s Highwire Performance Series. The Hub would have taken place in the lobby of the Citadel’s Rice Theatre in April/May 2020.
THE VIRTUAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST HUB features a superb selection of interviews with Indigenous artists from across Alberta, Canada, and from South America, including: Josh Languedoc (Playwright, Edmonton); Joleen Ballendine (Improviser/Screenwriter, Edmonton); Skye Demas (Dance Artist, Edmonton); Ayla Modeste (Dance Artist, Edmonton); Tai Amy Grauman (Theatre Artist, Vancouver); Dawn Marie Marchand (Visual Artist, Smoky Lake); Theresa Cutknife (Theatre Artist, Edmonton); Pachakuteq Espinoza Bravo (Audio-Visual Artist, Peru); and Elders Jo-Ann and Jerry Saddleback (Maskwacis/Edmonton).
Edmonton multidisciplinary artist REBECCA SADOWSKI hosts the Virtual Indigenous Artist Hub. Rebecca is an Edmonton based performer and choreographer. She recently showcased her original choreography in the Chinook Series performance of Local(e), as well as presented an original full length work with Mile Zero Dance and Alberta Dance Alliance. In the past few seasons, Rebecca has performed with Punctuate! Theatre, Alberta Aboriginal Arts, Northern Light Theatre, Good Women Dance Collective,Mile Zero Dance, Thou Art Here Theatre, and Catch the Keys Productions.
ABOUT PUNCTUATE! THEATRE & DREAMSPEAKERS:
Punctuate! Theatre is a Dora and Sterling Award winning theatre company based in Edmonton, Alberta. Punctuate! creates accessible, relevant, and subversive theatre that entertains and provokes thought amongst diverse audiences. We endeavor to provide professional opportunities for Edmonton artists that give them local, provincial and national exposure. With a focus on working with Indigenous artists and bringing our work to both urban and non-urban Indigenous communities, Punctuate! Theatre is keenly interested in telling stories with Indigenous themes, in hiring a high proportion of Indigenous artists and in actively engaging both urban and non-urban Indigenous audiences.
Dreamspeakers facilitates meaningful connections between Aboriginal artists. The work Dreamspeakers does reflects the diversity of the world’s Indigenous nations and illustrates the vitality and excellence of Indigenous art and culture. The Society is also a resource bank – a way to get in touch with Aboriginal filmmakers, performers and artists. Dreamspeakers produces an international film festival that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples innovation in film, video, radio, and new media, presenting selections of Indigenous works from around the globe since 1993. Through Dreamspeakers, Aboriginal people receive training in arts, culture and festival operations.
VIDEO AVAILABILITY
Link to Virtual Indigenous Hub Trailer: https://youtu.be/65KarKVDkgI
Link to Virtual Indigenous Hub Website: http://www.punctuatetheatre.com/virtual-indigenous-artist-hub
First video released on Tuesday, June 30
Subsequent videos released every Tuesday and Thursday from June 30 – July 28
Social Media
Punctuate! Theatre – www.facebook.com/PunctuateTheatre/
Dreamspeakers – https://www.facebook.com/Dreamspeakers/
Instagram – @PunctuateTheatre & @Dreamspeakers
Website
Punctuate! Theatre – http://www.punctuatetheatre.com/
Dreamspeakers – https://dreamspeakers.org/