Jeff Ward

AUG 19-23

ALDERNEY LANDING TIPI

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MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Jeff was born and raised in Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation (also known as Red Bank) along the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. For the past ten years, he has lived in Membertou and at present, is the General Manager of the Membertou Heritage Park, drawing on his vast experience and knowledge in the fields of culture, management and administration. Jeff is currently in the Masters Program of Community Economic Development at CBU

As a public figure, Jeff has been dancing, drumming and performing his way into people’s hearts since the age of eight. He is currently a member of both the Sons of Membertou and Thunder Eagle Singers. Jeff provides Master of Ceremonies Service for numerous First Nation Pow Wows in the Atlantic region. He has also performed in numerous plays at the Cape Breton University’s Boardmore Theatre, and been a keynote speaker and Emcee for a variety of conferences including Dialogue New Brunswick, Reform on Social Security AFN and the Youth Council of New Brunswick, to name a few. Jeff Ward will also be speaking at the Conference events located at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

PLAY READINGS Presented by:

Aug 20 @ 6 pm

ALDERNEY LANDING

THE HALLWAY

by Leah-Simone Bowen Leah-Simone is a Toronto based theatre practitioner that has worked across Canada as an actor, improviser, playwright, director, and arts administrator. Her play, The Hallway, is set in 1936 during one of the worst heat waves in history, the tenants of a Negro rooming house struggle to cope with daily life, while a Russian immigrant tries to escape his past. Prismatic is proud to present a staged reading of The Hallway accompanied by live music. Playwright Leah-Simone Bowen will be at the play reading and will be participating in a talk-back session following the performance.

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Aug 21 @ 2 pm

ROTUNDA

DEADBEATS

by Garret C. Smith Prismatic presents a staged reading of a new play, Deadbeats, by Aboriginal theatre artist Garret C. Smith. Garret is a proud Blackfoot from the Peigan and Blood tribes of southern Alberta. Deadbeats, takes place 2 years after the signing of Treaty 7 when Blackfoot Nation(s) are starving, sick and desperate to provide for their families. Deadbeats follows three men who have volunteered to travel south in search of the ever-decreasing buffalo. An unfortunate accident forces them to change plans and the discovery of a dark secret pushes them to commit acts of dishonesty. Playwright, Garrett C. Smith will be in attendance at the reading and will participate in a talk-back session following the performance.

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Aug 19-23

ALDERNEY LANDING OUTDOOR MAINSTAGE

PRICELYS

PRICELYS is a spoken word poet, film producer and social entrepreneur. She’s been working with communities across Canada for 10 years strengthening the voice of Indigenous youth. Her passion for community and words meld together in a perfect marriage as she continues sharing the message of hope and resilience.

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Aug 19-23

ALDERNEY LANDING OUTDOOR MAINSTAGE

ALLYSA FLINT

Allysa Flint, local Halifax spoken word artist, joins us again at the Prismatic Arts Festival! Allysa’s powerful performances at Prismatic 2014 were a highlight of the mainstage performances; this emerging spoken word artist has a bright future ahead. Allysa has been writing poetry since she was 12 and has always dreamed of performing onstage. Her writing reflects the topics she feels most passionate about: the issues facing youth in this day and age, such as sexual violence, suicide, bullying, drugs and alcohol. A sensitive and passionate youth artist, Allysa strives to convey an insightful message to her fellow youth through her spoken word.

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Aug 21-23

OUTDOOR MAINSTAGE

CRISTINA MAGNUSSON

Cristina Magnusson is an Indigenous hip-hop artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her passion for her heritage and her people shine are central to her artistic work. Her heartfelt songs have a deep central message: being Indigenous isn’t a choice— it is a gift.

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Aug 22–24

OUTDOOR MAINSTAGE A

ROOTS N’ RHYTHM

Roots n’ Rhythm is an uplifting spoken word performance that fuses rhythm and soul into each line and beckons the audiences’ ear. Her poetry has been performed across Canada and internationally in Ghana, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. She uses her spoken word to address cultural, social, and environmental issues and to reflect on everyday life though her unique lens as a small-town raised first generation Ghanaian Canadian, Abena Amako-Green.

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Aug 19-22

ALDERNEY LANDING OUTDOOR MAINSTAGE

CLYDE A. WRAY

Clyde A. Wray is a well-known poet, playwright, performer, producer, director, radio host and speaker that currently resides in Saint John, NB with life partner Kelli and their three children Astrid, Shasta and Nikolai. Originally from New York City, Clyde moved to the Maritimes from Los Angeles, California. Clyde has had a number of careers, and a wealth of experience, has traveled extensively in the United States, Europe and Asia with two notable stops in Vietnam. Clyde has contributed to several Onelight Productions, most recently he wrote and narrated the debut of Tell It On The Mountain.

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Aug 19-23 Artist talk Aug 20 @ 7:00pm

GALLERY

STEPHANIE YEE

Stephanie Yee is a visual artist and cultural worker originally from Barrie, Ontario, now based in Halifax.

Gallery Installation Statement:

I am pleased to have the opportunity to present an exhibition that reflects upon my practice as a performance artist. This show entitled, Gestures, includes three GIF videos as well as photo stills documenting two performances. With my work being concept based, I allow for the ideas to determine the methods in which I communicate. Believing that less is more when communicating a message, I often use minimal acts and repetition as a way of exploring my subject matter. As these simple gestures are looped, a narrative is created as we now must consider how the element of time plays a role in these acts.

VISUAL ARTS

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Aug 19-23

GALLERY

DAVID J. BROOKS

The late David J. Brooks made a name for himself as one of the first contemporary Mi’kmaq artists in Nova Scotia. His intensely colourful and iconic style of painting was uniquely his own, and can be found in museums and galleries all over Nova Scotia. Many know his art from the vibrant and graphic mural of an eagle and the sun that blazes on the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in North-End Halifax. David dedicated his life to art, and shared his passion with his two daughters, Sarah and Chelsea. Prismatic is honoured to have the Brooks Family’s work showcased at Prismatic. The family will be selling some of David’s work and his daughter, Chelsea, will be selling some of her very own artwork.

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Aug 19-23

GALLERY

TARA FRANCIS

Tara is an Aboriginal artist, who lives in Elsipogtog First Nation. She is of Mi'kmaq and Irish decent and is inspired by the ancient spiritual practices of her ancestors, searching for common threads in their rich histories and by her own personal connection to Mother Earth. Her art is her journey and her gift. Tara studied at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, taking Native Art Study under the guidance of the now late Elder Gwen Bear, where she learned the traditional Mi'k maq skill of Porcupine Quillwork, Silk Painting, and fabric embellishment. Her most recent accomplishment has been her participation in the group exhibit Over and Under hosted by Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto as part of the Planet IndigenUS Festival, the show runs from June 20th until September 20th 2015.

ACTIVITIES TENT

Ongoing Activities!

Be apart of the festival and come create your own works of art in the Activities Tent! Ongoing hands on activities for kids and kids at heart! Express your creativity for free!

Crafting Event: Festival Flower Crown Date: Aug 22 @ 3:00pm

Crafting Event: Paper Fishy Craft Date: Aug 23 @ 3:00pm

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Aug 22 @ 4:30pm Aug 23 @ 1:00pm & 5:30pm

ACTIVITIES TENT

RAINA THE HALIFAX MERMAID

Raina the Halifax Mermaid is swimming in to visit kids and kids-at-heart during the Prismatic Arts Festival. Raina performs locally with her troupe the Halifax Mermaids. The mermaids have a special focus on children and empowering people to create a healthy ocean. At Prismatic, Raina will be sharing stories and myths of mermaids from around the world.

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Aug 21 @ 6:00pm

ACTIVITIES TENT

NOMADIC MASSIVE YOUTH WORKSHOP

Join us for a youth workshop with the band Nomadic Massive, learning to rap in different languages! Limited space available, call and reserve your spot today!

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Aug 22 @1pm

ACTIVITIES TENT

MARIACHI GHOST WORKSHOP

Come learn all about the history and culture of mariachi and day of the dead!

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AUG 19-23 @ 10PM

ROTUNDA

Presented by:

BROKEN ENGLISH KARAOKE

STEPHANIE YEE

After its successful premier at last year’s Prismatic Arts Festival, we are pleased to announce that Broken English Karaoke is back again! Festival goers are invited to end each night with us either on the stage or in the audience. This interactive performance installation takes the karaoke we all love or hate, and evens out the playing field by replacing the lyrics of popular American hits with broken English translations. With the help of online translators, lyrics have been translated to other languages, switched back to English, and then edited into new sing-along videos.

In North America though karaoke is mostly confined to aspiring celebrities and drinking culture, with Broken English Karaoke it doesn’t matter which camp you belong to, it’s all about sharing your experience as you step up to the mic. All within the length of a song, each opportunity challenges the participant to navigate the boundaries between the familiar and unfamiliar. The end result allows for a fun experience that not only exposes the complexities of language, but social anxieties as well. Come for a drink and have a good time as we delve into and explore the lively state of being lost and found in translation.

Stephanie Yee is a visual artist and cultural worker originally from Barrie, Ontario, now based in Halifax. Though beginning her academic career in theater, she graduated with a BFA from NSCAD in 2012. Her practice interrogates concepts of communication and identity. Primarily using performance, video, sculpture, and installation, her works employ familiar imagery, processes, and materials as a means of exploring preconceived notions. She has exhibited as an artist and curator in artist-run-centers, festivals and galleries both locally and internationally at the Anna Leonowens Gallery, HERMES, Struts Gallery, The Khyber Centre for the Arts, La Mama Galleria and Family Business Gallery.

Prismatic

INDUSTRY EVENTS

INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE NETWORK GATHERING AT THE PRISMATIC FESTIVAL

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T he Prismatic Arts Festival is proud to be hosting a variety of conference and industry activities at this year's Festival. Many of these events are being hosted at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

The conference events focus on the ongoing development of the Indigenous Performing Network. The sessions have been developed in association with the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA), a national arts service organization claiming space for all Indigenous performing artists.

The conference events are a gathering of diverse individuals to exchange local protocols, discuss Indigenous performance and make commitments to developing collaborative relationships in the region and beyond. We welcome you to join us to learn and share protocols, network with artists and leaders in the community, and discuss the future of Indigenous performance in the Atlantic and beyond.

The Prismatic Arts Festival is also hosting a series of industry events to introduce Atlantic Canadian Aboriginal and culturally diverse artists to national and international producers and presenters who are attending Prismatic. These industry events were made possible through the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

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Wednesday, August 19 3:30-5:30 pm

PIER 21

ATLANTIC ARTISTS RECEPTION

Networking with industry leaders. Wednesday, August 19, 7-8:30pm

ALDERNEY LANDING THEATRE

OPENING GALA FOR PRISMATIC ARTS FESTIVAL

Opening Ceremonies include performances from Allysa Flint, PRICELYS, Mohsen Sharifian, and Mariachi Ghost.

Thursday, August 20, 9:30-10:30am

PIER 21

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPENING CONFERENCE AND INTRODUCTION TO #PERFORMANCEWIKI

Reflecting on the outcomes of The Study/Repast on Manitoulin Island in May 2015, explore IPAA’s initiatives to claim space for all Indigenous performing artists. Add yourself and your peers to Network database.

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Thursday, August 20, 10:30am – noon

PIER 21

SESSION #1: LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & CULTURAL PROTOCOLS

Situate ourselves within the region. Discover the intersections between traditional and performance protocols. Examine the relationships with what protocol does in relation to the artistic process. Thursday, August 20, 12:30 - 2pm

WOODEN MONKEY (ALDERNEY LANDING)

ATLANTIC ARTISTS RECEPTION & SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE BY ALLYSA FLINT

Enjoy lunch provided and network with industry leaders.

Thursday, August 20, 2-3:15pm

ALDERNEY LANDING THEATRE (ROTUNDA)

SESSION #2: CLAIMING SPACE: NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

Using Indigenous protocol as a framework to support the unique work of Indigenous. performing artist with a focus on disability arts, international trade routes, trans-disciplinary work, and Mi’kmaq performing arts.

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Thursday, August 20, 3:15-4:30pm

ALDERNEY LANDING THEATRE (ROTUNDA)

SESSION #3: APPLYING INDIGENOUS STRUCTURES TO THE IPN

With open dialogue, discuss respectful engagement and build relationships with the active Network. Contribute and respond to the Claiming Space panel. Friday, August 21, 9:30-11am

PIER 21

SESSION #4 – ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF THE INDIGENOUS PERFORMING NETWORK

By engaging with the 4 pillars of the IPN: Touring, Collaboration/Partnerships, Training/Knowledge- sharing, establish long and short-term priorities. Friday, August 21, 11am-12:30pm

PIER 21

SESSION #5 – AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH

With a focus on Atlantic Indigenous performance, address the challenges with audience development and outreach in the region. Begin to build reciprocal relationships and strategies by exercising our understanding of what protocol does to strengthen the Indigenous performance sector. Saturday, August 22, 10am to noon

PIER 21

ATLANTIC ARTISTS RECEPTION

Networking with industry leaders.

THANKS TO PACT FOR SUPPORTING THE PRISMATIC 2015 CONFERENCE EVENTS.

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