The 39th annual Labrador Creative Arts Festival was a tremendous success, thanks to the hundreds of students, eighteen visiting artists, dedicated volunteer committee, and fabulous coordinator who made it all come together. And thanks as well to our many funders, including the International Grenfell Association, which has helped to sponsor the festival for many years.
The theme of this year’s gathering was “Communication,” and students from Nain to Black Tickle and all points in between sent their drama groups to perform original plays on the theme. These stories ranged from a sad farewell to a child with a life-threatening illness to a portrayal of a world where students can no longer talk but only text, to a busy city street where people communicate and miscommunicate….
Night 6: Ike Riche Players, Mealy Mountain Collegiate, HV-GB – Did You Hear? The iconic New York telephone booth is threatened … what are we saying and are we listening?
The eighteen visiting artists brought their many ways of communicating as well. Two dance troupes of very different styles engaged students in a group performance, a contortionist taught kids some amazing moves…..
….. and well known performers Fergus O’Byrne and Jim Payne delighted crowds of all ages!
Added to this were writers, singers, visual artists and puppeteers, combining to make schools extra-busy and creative for a week, including weekend workshops open to the public. The musicians joined local performers to provide a show at the cross-country ski chalet to raise money for the local women’s shelter.
For 39 years the festival has worked to show students that growing up in Labrador does not limit their opportunities to participate in the arts or to dream of a future that includes making a living in the arts. Indeed, the 40th festival next year will be the “Coming Home” festival, where every visiting artist will be a former student who performed in the Labrador Creative Arts Festival and now works in the arts. They are coming from all over to show that the idea of possibility which keeps the festival alive is as strong as ever.
The committee is happy to have this chance to say a heartfelt thanks to IGA for many years of strong support for the Labrador Creative Arts Festival!
Submitted By:
Ms. Martha MacDonald
Visiting artists and Festival personnel gather for a group shot!
Back row l-r: Andrea Tucker (dancer), Jim Payne (musician), Tara Manuel (puppeteer), Calla LaChance (dancer), Susanne Chiu (dancer), Tammy Macleod (dancer), Fiona Andersen (coordinator). Middle row kneeling l-r: Alex Hickey (singer/songwriter), Meghan Marentette (writer/costumer), Andy Sheppard (musician), Elizabeth Jancewicz (visual artist), Fergus O’Byrne (musician), Lindsay Wilson (food writer/photographer), Alicia Potter (animateur). Front row sitting l-r: Samantha Halas (contortionist), Jennifer Morgan (graphic artist/writer), Rachael Borlase (journalist), Sara Coffin (dancer), Paula Wing (theatre/actor), Tim Borlase (founder).
