Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Talking Stick Festival Well Underway

The Tenth Annual Talking Stick Festival is a celebration of Aboriginal visual and performance art. The festival, which kicked off on February 1 goes on for another week.

The Pond on Commercial Drive hosted this evening's performance. Singers included Greg Coyes, Russell Wallace and Sandy Scofield. Poetic performers included Janet Rogers and Wanda John. Wanda also read a poignant short story.

I went early with a friend. Later, the cafe was packed. A bench seat that extended along one wall meant that by scootching together a little more, we managed to make room for most people to sit.

A Nisg'a woman who grew up on Haida Gwaii sat beside me and we struck up a conversation. Later, during a break, she gave me a one-on-one reading of a couple of poems from the notebooks she was carrying.

The Salish Sea Writers Collective launched their new anthology last week at the Gallery Gachet in Gastown.

This evening, a great evening of music and readings was enjoyed by all. As part of the Talking Stick Festival, a variety of performances, art events, workshops and panels go on till February 13th. Check here for more information.

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