EXPLORE ABORIGINAL CULTURE

TALKING STICK FESTIVAL – EXPLORE ABORIGINAL CULTURE THROUGH THE ARTS

FEBRUARY 18-28, 2016 – Vancouver, British Columbia

Full Circle First Nations Performance is very excited to present the 15th Annual Talking Stick Festival from February 18 – 28, 2016. Full Festival program guide and information can be found at talkingstickfest.ca

The Talking Stick Festival is an open invitation to explore Aboriginal culture through the Arts and is proud to showcase extraordinary Indigenous performance and art, Featuring some of the best emerging and established Indigenous artists Canada has to offer, it provides a stage for artists from a variety of artistic expressions – theatre, storytelling, film, writing, music, spoken word, dance and visual arts. It celebrates the traditional performance of many communities, as well as the contemporary and interdisciplinary work of Indigenous creators.

TALKING STICK FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Wa^xHoks en Shqalawin (Open Your Hearts) the Talking Stick Opening Gala Celebration – Round House Community Centre (February 18) features music by Beaver T and the Divas, Dj Kookum and magic by Vitaly.

Unlike any other festival in Vancouver, the Talking Stick features theatre based on Indigenous traditional stories. This year Savage Society, presents Battle of the Birds, by Governor General Award recipient Kevin Loring, based on the Nlakap’amux story about a community confronting the issue of domestic violence. Set in a mythical time before time.

In partnership with the Vancouver Public Library, the Talking Stick Festival is proud to to present Our Stories Your Stories (February 20) Join Rebecca Campbell Duncan and Wes Nahanee in an afternoon depicting the history of our people from many lifetimes. In partnership with the Urban Native Youth Association’s (UNYA) Indigenuity –Vancity Culture Lab (February 27) promises to be a night full of original music, slam poetry and dance. Directed by Canada’s rising Metis star Zoey Pricelys Roy.

This year the Festival is thrilled to have it’s first Music Series featuring Vancouver’s local multi-award winning artists, Fara Palmer, Sandy Scofield, and emerging artists/groups, Enter-Tribal, Niska Napoleon, and Sister Says. Four nights of a Musical Coffee House at Zawa Restaurant on Commercial Drive and two dynamic events at The Media Club – Indigenous Sister Soiree (February 18) and Studio Records – Indigenous Unite (February 25) hosted by Reality TV Star and Radio Host Suzette Amaya.

Family audiences are invited to A Metis Time & Space – Roundhouse (February 27) an evening of interactive workshops, Metis music, stories, songs and dance. Witness the annual Celebration of Powwow Culture – Roundhouse (February 21) and enjoy the Aboriginal Artisan Fair.

Three nights of short and feature films Reel Reservations: Cinematic Indigenous Sovereignty Series curated by Colin Van Loon. Vancity Theatre (February 25-27) this series showcases the brightest minds of the Indigenous Independent Filming-making Community, such as Marie Clements, Number 14 a docu-drama inspired by the life of Jordan Wilson a young hockey hopeful who died in a tragic car accident and Embargo an anthology of five short films by Canadian Indigenous Women – Caroline Monnet, Zoe Hopkins, Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Lisa Jackson and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.

The festival will have performances and film taking place in the Roundhouse Community Arts, Vancity Theatre, Cafe Deux Soleils, The Media Club Studio Records, Vancity Culture Lab and Britannia Secondary School.

Since its inception, the festival has become a place to honour Aboriginal tradition in contemporary forms that encompasses the artistic wealth of the people, and the promise of their future in Canada. The festival is array of Aboriginal artistic expression including, but not limited to music, dance, theatre, film and spoken word and provides a stage for emerging and established artists. Full of surprises, fun, drama, laughs, music, the festival is a true celebration of the diversity and arts of our country’s Indigenous culture.

For more information on the Talking Stick Festival, and complete schedule and tickets please visit the website at talkingstickfest.ca