Indigenous Projects at Luminato 2017 – Opening Night Celebration by Denise Bolduc and Erika A Iserhoff and Bearing by Signal Theatre

This year the festival will open with a large-scale celebratory experience, in the open air and free to the public, that pays homage and respect to Indigenous creativity, presence, and voice called Tributaries. Curated and produced by Creative Producer Denise Bolduc and Associate Producer, Erika A. Iserhoff in partnership with Native Women in the Arts. Tributaries is a 5-hour celebration beginning with an opening cabaret, then transitioning into a 4-part oddyssey of music, spoken word, and dance featuring over 60 artists who work in classical and contemporary Indigenous traditions, many interweaving both.

Following the opening night of the festival, Ridge has also programmed a new dance/opera by one of Canada’s leading Indigenous theatre companies, Signal Theatre, entitled Bearing.  Bearing is co-created by celebrated actor, dancer and choreographer, director, and educator Michael Greyeyes, with playwright, dramaturg, director and educator Yvette Nolan. Bearing explores the process of reconciliation of Canada’s residential school system.  This world premiere production features music performed live by the National Youth Orchestra with some of Toronto’s best professional classical musicians, a custom-built choir, and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman (Kwagiulth and Stó:lo). Music by JS Bach, Vivier, and a commissioned work by Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan is combined with percussion and electronics while the performers communicate through dance, music, and spoken word. It’s an ambitious, multi-faceted piece from Signal Theatre featuring some of the most talented and exciting artists of our times.   Of note, Greyeyes is also next appearing in a major film co-starring with Jessica Chastain called Woman Walks Ahead, which recounts the story of Sitting Bull.

In the Spiegeltent – the hub of the festival in David Pecaut Square from June 14-25 – we have Jeremy Dutcher, Leanne Simpson, Wolf Saga, and Elisapie all booked in the line up.

For more info: https://luminatofestival.com/2017/Events/Bearing