EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES
5 to 7 pm
EARTH DAY SEED SWAP
&
SMALL GARDEN GEAR EXCHANGE
Buskers
LOIS GILLESPIE
VANESSA KUZINA
JD EDWARDS
Video Projection
(side screen)
1st Annual JUST Words Poetry Slam
hosted by John Weier
SHANNON PIDLUBNY
NEREO
DINAC
CHRISTOPHER NAUSE
BARB FENWICK
JUST Artists Founder & Spokesperson
JOHN WEIER
Readings from "Africa: A History of Love"
INTERMISSION
10:15 to 10:45 pm
Musical Interlude by DINAC
Video Interlude by Richard Altman
Best Vocal Group
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2006
Best World-Fusion Album, "Pleiades"
5th Independent Music Awards 2006
THE ANTIGRAVITY PROJECT
EARTH DAY SEED SWAP
&
SMALL GARDEN GEAR EXCHANGE
5 to 7 pm
If you missed Seedy Saturday in February, you can still get in on the EARTH DAY Seed Swap!!! Just bring your spare seeds in small, user-friendly packages, labeled with helpful information...what it is? where it was collected? growing habits? planting instructions and cultivating notes? organic? heirloom variety? Shoots, roots, and bulbs are welcome too.
And if you are tripping over too many hand tools, bring them to swap, sell, or give away. Make sure they are portable, clean and still functional or easily repaired. No power tools please.
For information, please call Liz Clayton, Vice President, JUST Community Market, 1.204.792-2958 or email liz.clayton@mts.net.
PATIO BUSKERS
5 to 8 pm
www.loisgillespie.com
www.myspace.com/loisgillespie
Lois Gillespie is a Winnipeg based singer/songwriter who has honed her craft in diverse areas. Her acoustic guitar skills and unique, powerful vocal expression have found a place in intimate venues around the city including local coffee shops and jazz bars.
Lois has also brought her music on to the wards at the St. Boniface Hospital working with Manitoba Artists in Healthcare where she has shared her enthusiasm for song with patients, staff, and visitors. She has recently released her first CD of original material, Sensible Shoes.
Vanessa Kuzina has progressed and meandered through various stages of folk music and contemporary eclectic. Her sheer determination and genuine character have helped her to create excellent networks with talented musicians and artists. As she continues to grow in popularity, so too does her determination to succeed in the music industry. The music is proving itself to speak to her listeners, with support and hard work Vanessa is forging a path for herself.
2005 marked the beginning of Vanessa’s professional music career with the recording of Whiskey Smiles with Juno award winning producer Dan Donahue. Continuing forward, Vanessa is nearing the completion of her debut album recording of 11 original songs. With this important project Vanessa has been working with Dan Donahue who has produced Juno award winners Jordan McConnell (the Duhks), percussionist Scott Senior (the Duhks), acclaimed bassists Marie-Josee Dandeneau and Gilles Fournier, Western Canadian Music Award nominated violist Kristjanna Oleson acclaimed musicians Dan Frechette, Brandy Zdan and Allison de Groot.
From this point on Vanessa has had incredible opportunities such as performing at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, a mentorship with acclaimed senior performer Heather Bishop, featured on a special edition of Shaken Not Stirred on CBC Radio One and Two, several radio and television interviews and performances and high profile performances.
Vanessa Kuzina’s performances and songwriting bring the listener in closely with optimism and bright energy.
"WanderTonight caught me off-guard this morning. gorgeous in its comfortable simplicity. Bravo my fellow Canadian" Jason K. Roy, Songwriter, Moncton, Canada
"I woke up this morning singing Wander Tonight. but not like you, no, not like you. Your voice is an angel. The crowd loved you, as do I. Your voice makes me feel a spot in my chest that rarely feels. Thank you." Süss, Songwriter, Winnipeg Canada
www.myspace.com/thejdedwardsband
JD Edwards was born and raised with a passion for music which is truly reflected in his live performances.
"His dynamic style and rootsy melodies will take you on a real life experiential journey... he's a fantastic live performer!!!" Paulette LaFortune, Sweet Spot Productions
JD Edwards is based out of a small home in Osborne Village in the heart of Winnipeg. Moving from Toronto, where people are just everywhere, JD has been taken by the wide open spaces of the prairies and perhaps has found a home away from home. When JD is not performing solo, he plays with his band of musical misfits and rhythym junkies.
Formed in 2005, the JD Edwards Band is comprised of musicians from different backgrounds and styles. While this is true, the band shares in one common goal - to make the music they love. This colourful blend of characters includes brilliant vocals and guitar stylings by JD Edwards, lead riffs by Mike Ormonde, sass and bass blends by Jessie "Poisin" Ives and an unmistakable percussive finish by Matt Robins and Troy Stratner, that will leave your soul yearning for more homemade music.
The JD Edwards Band is currently planning the release of their debut album and are looking forward to breaking on the Canadian music scene.
MAIN STAGE
8 to 1 pm
Video Projection
(side screen)
Bryan Besant is a local video artist who has been creating with various performance groups across the province. His most recent collaborations include pieces produced with Camerata Nova for the 2007 New Music Festival in Winnipeg this past February and a new project for Freya Olafson's multi-media dance performance with The Absent Sound at Nuna, a showcase of young Icelandic and Icelandic-Canadian talent.
Bryan will be projecting a series of original works:
Wawateywak (Cree for Northern Lights) was first screened at a live performance with Camerata Nova at the New Music Festival in Winnipeg February 2007.
The second piece is a series of abstract ambient nature scenes approximately 60 minutes in length.
1st Annual JUST Words Poetry Slam
"In-the-round"
8:15 to 8:45 pm
SHANNON PIDLUBNY
Performance Poet
www.myspace.com/shannonpoetry
Shannon Pidlubny leads an active double life in Winnipeg. By day, she works as a health researcher and is active in women's health policy advocacy issues. At night, she can be found writing or performing her original poems, spoken word pieces and theatrically driven prose and poetry. Her writing explores a variety of topics; from relationships and love, to messy kitchens and the culture surrounding women�s lives, approached with a softer touch than what is traditionally associated with Spoken Word.
She has performed in a variety of events that showcase spoken word and performance poetry including the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Toronto where she competed on the Winnipeg Slam Poetry team. She is the author of Letting it Pile a poetic monologue, which was produced by Sarasvati Productions for their annual Cabaret of Monologues, an event to celebrate female playwrights in Canada.
She has recently become bitten by the collaboration bug and pursues artistic collaborations with musicians, artists and contemporary dancers; giving her poems more layers and accessibility to a more diverse audience. Shannon is a performing member of the Young Lungs Dance Exchange where she contributes improvised spoken word and poetry to various improvised works.
Naturally Expressing Rhymes Ever so Openly. Nereo the 2nd, otherwise known as son of Nereo the 1st, is a part-time illustrator/part-time poet hailing from the powerful Peg City. Formerly a member of the infamous Built Under Thought collective, Nereo has since been involved with many local slams, fundraisers, and spoken word events across the city. He has also gained some national notoriety at the 2nd and 3rd Annual Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, as well as the 2005 Toronto International Poetry Slam.
Currently he runs a weekly spoken word workshop called "Rhyme & Reason" at the Turtle Island Neighborhood Community Center. In mind, and at heart, Nereo is a spoken word artist on and off the stage. He longs to see the 'spoken word culture' grow as he values the importance of excercising freedom of speech through honest and open expression.
DINAC
Visual Word Collage Artist
DINAC... Yeah he's pretty mysterious. He hides in dark corners performing surgery on magazines with glue and scissors. The outcomes vary widely (depending on what type of inspirational or subconscious current manages to possess his finger tips.)
Aside from being flaky and pretentious, some of his other hobbies include initiating psychic contacts with dead people, waiting for aliens, and nude lawn bowling. Also, when not writing deep and meaningless poetry, he is a full-time small business owner. He manages his very own two-in-one taxidermy and lunch counter in Winnipeg's North end. Weekends are usually spent making finger puppets and watching elimidate with his friend Noam Chomsky. He also recently purchased a copy of the move Fight Club and declared it to be planet Earth's new constitution. All foolishness aside, his favourite snack is headcheese on rye, lightly salted.
CHRISTOPHER NAUSE
Painter, Sculptor, Spoken Word Artist
randal_sharp@hotmail.com
"An undiscovered voice waiting for his cue..." Paulette LaFortune, Sweet Spot Productions
BARB FENWICK
Wholistic Horse Trainer, Writer, Poet
Freedom Horsemanship is a holistic methodology developed by Barb Fenwick that recognizes and nurtures both sides of the equine and human relationship. Her program touches on the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of horsemanship. This innovative approach facilitates true understanding between the rider and the horse and celebrates freedom of expression and focuses on the ultimate goal of 'coming together' and 'finding joy in life'.
9 to 9:45 pm
TRIBE OF ONE
www.tribeofone.com
RIK LEAF
JUST Artists Founder & Spokesperson
www.rikleaf.com
Rik Leaf is an Independent Canadian Recording Artist and Cultural Activist whose career demonstrates the creative spirit and ingenuity necessary for many of today’s successful artists.
Featured as a songwriter & performer on six internationally released compilation CDs 1995 – 2002, Rik has also produced four full-length CDs including his latest solo disc ‘Now is the Winter of Our Discontent'.
In 1997 Rik moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba and established an artist collective called Tribe of One, featuring dancers and visual artists sharing the stage with musicians. One year later the band headlined Toronto’s Fresh Wind Festival along with Brit rocker Paul Oakley, performing for crowds over 7000.
That same year Tribe of One performed live on Free TV, a nationally broadcast pop culture talk show where Rik was also a guest panelist. Four years later in 2002, the producers of Free TV invited Rik to be the assistant producer, ‘shit-disturbing’ panelist and featured musical guest for all 24 episodes of their 4th season.
In 1999 the Department of Foreign Affair’s sent Tribe of One to Kosovo to participate in the United Nations humanitarian festival ‘The Return’ hosted by Vanessa Redgrave. That tour solidified Rik’s passion as an artistic activist and allowed him to develop relationships with the Red Cross, War Child Canada and legendary artist/activist Bruce Cockburn.
Over the years Rik has produced and participated in numerous benefit concerts including Toronto’s International Concert for Peace and the Art for Real Change Festival in 2006.
In 2006 Rik established JUST Artists, a national affiliation of socially conscious writers, artists, musicians, performers and producers committed to improving the world through their artistic contributions.
Over the last 10 years Rik has developed into a highly adaptable and exciting live performer, playing in bars and clubs, coffee shops and cafes, house concerts, benefit concerts, art galleries and outdoor festivals. Whether he’s performing as a solo artist or with a band, Rik consistently delivers passionate and engaging performances that have inspired a growing number of faithful fans and appreciative audiences.
ZARA LEAF
ZARA has been a professional visual artist, since she opted out of art school, and has created an impressive collection of original watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, print reproductions and her own line of hand-painted glassware. She is known as much for her fantastical themes including fairies, unicorns, elves and the phoenix, as she is for her striking use of vibrant colors.
In many ways ZARA’s artistic career demonstrates the creativity necessary for Canadian artists navigating today’s diverse economic and creative landscapes. In 1997 ZARA was a founding member of Tribe of One, a multi-disciplinary artist collective that featured musicians, dancers and visual artists sharing the stage. As a performance painter, ZARA has toured across Canada, the U.S., England, Ireland and Scotland. In 1999 the Foreign Affairs Department of Canada sent ZARA and the rest of the Tribe to Kosovo to participate in a United Nations sponsored benefit concert for war-affected children.
In 2004 ZARA combined her artistic expertise with a passion for tattooing, becoming a full-time professional tattoo artist. This allowed her clients and collectors the opportunity to become living canvases displaying her incredibly unique and personal one-of-a-kind original tattoos.
ZARA’s artwork has been featured on three internationally released CD covers. She was a featured artist and panelist on Free TV, a nationally broadcast pop culture talk show, as well as a documentary the CBC produced on Tribe of One’s tour to Kosovo.
10 to 10:15 pm
John Weier was born in Winnipeg and grew up on a peach farm near Niagara-on-the- Lake, Ontario. After graduating from high school, he studied anthropology and history of religions at the University of Manitoba. In 1975 he began work as Winnipeg's resident luthier; maker of banjos, violas and violins. He’s built some hundred stringed instruments.
John has studied in India and England. He’s worked in the Canadian book publishing industry and as a musician with the Duck Mountain Bluegrass Band. He coached for ten years in the Manitoba Fastball program and was awarded the Manitoba Order of Sport Excellence. He is a past president of the League of Canadian Poets and past Creator Co-chair of the Access Copyright Board of Directors. John began writing in his teens and has pursued this vocation professionally since 1983.
His first book, a collection of poems titled After the Revolution, was published in 1986; his tenth, Stand the Sacred Tree, a work of creative non-fiction, was published in the spring of 2004. Other books include Steppe: A Novel, Marshwalker, Friends Coming Back As Animals, and Violinmaker’s Lament. His writing tends to ride the genre boundaries.
John works freelance as a writer and violin restorer. He has travelled extensively in Africa and Europe. He is an avid bird-watcher (he’s logged more than 1,200 species) and bird guide; and the owner of Punchpenny, a small chapbook press. He has two grown and miraculous children, Anna and Jonathan, and lives in Winnipeg.
John has been published in a variety of literary journals and anthologies, and has read widely in Canada, Iceland, Denmark, India, Syria and the United States.
Africa: A History of Love, Wolsak and Wynn, to be released in the fall of 2007
Stand the Sacred Tree, Turnstone Press, creative non-fiction, March 2004
The Violinmaker’s Lament, Wolsak and Wynn, poetry, 2003
Marshwalker: Naturalist Memoirs, Turnstone Press, creative non-fiction, 1998
Coils of the Yamuna, Broken Jaw Press, poetry, 1998
Friends Coming Back As Animals, Moonstone Press, short fiction, 1996
Twelve Poems for Emily Carr, Punchpenny Press, poetry chapbook, 1996
Steppe: A Novel, Thistledown Press, experimental fiction, 1995
Those Tiny Bits of Beans, Pemmican Publications, children's picture book, 1995
Ride the Blue Roan, Turnstone Press, poetry, 1988
After the Revolution, Turnstone Press, poetry chapbook, 1986
Vocal ensemble Madrigaia was born in Manitoba, in the heart of Winnipeg's French community, in the spring of 1999. The seven women of Madrigaia, all musicians, dancers and actresses among the most respected in their musical community, took their love of singing and improvising together onto the stage. Madrigaia has created a highly original and entertaining show which unerringly enchants and captivates its fast-growing audiences. Drama, movement and pulsing, percussive elements are combined as they perform songs from over a dozen different countries, such as Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, India, Poland, Israel and of course from their French-Canadian roots.
Madrigaia has had the honour of performing before personages of note and royalty, and has received recognition and accolades from peers and professionals in the music industry, such as producers Sergio Natureza (Brazil), Norman Dugas and Don Benedictson, composer Stephen Hatfield, performers Jane Siberry, Kiran Ahluwalia and The Toronto Tabla Ensemble and artistic director Louis Saint-Andr.
Over several years, Madrigaia has toured across Canada from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, in South America and more recently in France and Switzerland. Their debut album, Viva Voce (2002), has sold over 4200 copies world-wide and won a Canadian Independent Music Award (2003) for Best World Music Album and Best Vocal Group at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (2006). Their second album, Pleiades (2005), has been internationally acclaimed as the Best World-Fusion Album at the 5th Independent Music Awards (2006). Pleiades was also nominated for Best Independent Album 2006 at the Western Canadian Music Awards held in Winnipeg last fall.
Midnight to 1 am
"When The Moody Blues released Days of Future Passed in 1967, it signaled the birth of a delightful little genre known as "prog" rock. During the golden years of prog, bands like King Crimson, Yes and the Mothers Of Invention made a living by crafting epic albums with 10 minute guitar solos and experimental instrumentation based on classical scores. By the 80s, it had all but disappeared from the musical landscape. Enter Winnipeg's Antigravity Project. With conspiracy theories on the mind and multiple instruments in their hands, the boys in The Antigravity Project have managed to record an album that would fit in nicely with Dark Side of The Moon and Red... While Annuit Corruptus is fantastic, brilliant rock, the band puts on an even better live show." John Symons, The Uniter
The Antigravity Project's music is a dramatically arranged fusion of rock, jazz, classical, funk, world, eastern, and blues genres that takes unexpected stops, turns, and tempo shifts.
The lyrics on their debut album Annuit Corruptus are best described as 'bizarre' and 'satirical'. They touch on topics that are traditionally not covered by mainstream media such as government corruption, secret societies, UFO and alien cover-ups, the deterioration of the environment, and humankind's fight against oppression.
While TAP plans to release another studio album of epic progressive rock songs like "Babies On The Moon", "Metronomicon", and "Shoulder of Orion", some of their newer material would be considered straight ahead rock and roll like "Rock Star Crap" and "What You Don't Know". Their funky jams on songs like "Life Is Like That" (lyrics by Paulette LaFortune), are an integral part of their current live show and are reminiscent of the early exploration by the original line-up into 'jam land' which spawned 'Phlogiston I'.
With the addition of newest member Shannon Whitehead on flute and vocals and the return of original drummer and lyricist Denny Moznar, the band is exploring new territory and revisiting the land of old. Recording projects for the future... the possibilities are endless. For now, the band is planning their next session and focusing on live performances with a purpose. This is...
THE BEGINNING...
