Prismatic Arts Festival 2018 Program

SHAHIN SAYADI ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

HALIFAX | SEPTEMBER 11-16 | 2018

Help us thank our sponsors

@TD_Canada

@AtlanticaHfx

@TwitCoast

@ArtGalleryNS

@FACTORCanada

@cresco

@UnitedGulfDev

@FSPADal

@cdnheritage

@mcinnescooper

@canadacouncil

@Hfxpublib

@hfxgov

@novascotia

@HalifaxPopX

@MusicNovaScotia

Prismatic 2018 – Celebrating a 10 Year Journey It is hard to believe that it has already been 10 years since we hosted the first Prismatic Arts Festival. It has been an extraordinary journey through which we have built a beautiful, vibrant community of friends, colleagues, supporters and champions. Along the way we have filled warm summer nights with music and laughter, we have seen artists and their work grow, develop and thrive, and we have seen audiences of all ages enthralled by new stories, new music and new ideas.

The past 10 years have been a journey towards Prismatic’s vision of Art for Everyone: making art accessible to diverse  @prismaticarts

audiences and making space to celebrate the work of all artists. We would like to thank all of the artists who have trusted Prismatic to bring their works and visions to the stage. And we would like to thank our audiences, volunteers, funders and sponsors for journeying with us and for helping us forward along the road.

As we embark on the next 10 years of our Prismatic journey, we are looking forward to the adventures to come, the artists and work that will touch our hearts, and the laughter of audiences. In the next 10 years, we will spread our rainbow of light and work to extend the Prismatic celebration of Indigenous and culturally diverse artists throughout Canada and beyond.

Shahin Sayadi, Maggie Stewart and Raeesa Lalani

|  facebook.com/prismaticfestival |  prismaticarts |  www.prismaticfestival.com | #Prismatic2018

prismatic arts festival 2018

ii

premier’s message

mayor’s message

I am pleased to welcome you to Nova Scotia for the 2018 Prismatic Arts Festival.

The Prismatic Arts Festival showcases and celebrates the works of Canada’s leading Indigenous and culturally diverse artists from the worlds of the performing, visual and literary arts. This annual event allows Nova Scotians and visitors to our province to discover new and traditional art, to broaden their minds and to explore new perspectives.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Prismatic Arts Festival. On behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia, I want to congratulate the organizers, volunteers and talented artists for this achievement, and thank them for bringing such diverse perspectives, experiences and visuals to Nova Scotia.

On behalf of Nova Scotia, I wish you a memorable and successful event.

As Mayor of Halifax and on behalf of Regional Council, it is my distinct pleasure to extend best wishes and congratulations on the 10th Anniversary of the Prismatic Arts Festival and offer warm greetings and a special welcome to all attending this annual, national multi-disciplinary event taking place in various venues in Downtown Halifax.

As one of Canada’s only multi-arts festivals, Prismatic 2018 will feature amazing performances in music, dance, theatre, spoken word, visual, and media arts to captivate the entire family.

With professional performing and visual artists from across the country, the festival celebrates the achievements of leading Indigenous and culturally diverse artists as well as professional development through workshops and industry events.

Arts and culture are among this region’s most valuable resources.

I want to acknowledge, with gratitude, the festival organizers, volunteers, sponsors, partners and public funders for their commitment and dedication to our arts community and the continued celebration of diversity in our region.

Enjoy the spectacular display of creativity, talent, and art in all its forms!

Honourable Stephen McNeil, M.L.A. Premier of Nova Scotia

Mike Savage Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality

minister’s message

I am delighted to welcome you to Nova Scotia for the 10th edition of the Prismatic Arts Festival.

Since 2008, Prismatic has produced a diverse arts festival that showcases the works of Canada’s leading Indigenous and culturally diverse artists.

To the organizers, volunteers and talented artists, congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the Prismatic Arts Festival. Thank you for your dedication and exceptional work. Each and every one of you bring such vibrancy to our province.

On behalf of Nova Scotia, I wish you the best with your event.

Sincerely,

Welcome to the 2018 Prismatic Arts Festival!

In a country as large and diverse as Canada, arts and culture help forge important bonds that unite and define us.

There’s no better way to celebrate our diversity than by seeing it first-hand at cultural events like the Prismatic Arts Festival. Our government is proud to support this gathering, which brings together an eclectic blend of musicians, dancers, visual artists, multimedia artists, poets and actors from many cultural and Indigenous communities. As the festival says, this is “Art for Everyone.”

As Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, I want to congratulate all the organizers, artists and volunteers who have successfully made this into a mustsee event in Halifax each autumn.

Hon. Leo Glavine Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage Nova Scotia The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

prismatic arts festival 2018

minister’s message

iii

contents

prismatic arts festival 2018

CEO/Director of Canada Council for the Arts

iv

Art helps us understand the essence of a culture. It also captures feelings and emotions in powerful and exciting ways that express who we are in all our diversity.

Art can overturn our preconceptions and move us forward. It embodies a multitude of experiences that inspire us and help us build an inclusive and culturally rich society. Through its support of Canada's dynamic arts scene, the Canada Council for the Arts contributes to a creative, altruistic, resilient, and prosperous society in which everyone can express themselves fully and freely. In doing so, the Council encourages the most comprehensive and authentic engagement by Canadians in culture, heritage and the arts.

The Canada Council for the Arts is proud to support the Prismatic Arts Festival and hopes that it benefits all those it reaches.

Simon Brault, O.C., O.Q. Director and CEO Canada Council for the Arts

Prismatic Greeting ������������������������������������������� i Premier’s Message �������������������������������������������ii Mayor's Message ���������������������������������������������ii Ministers' Messages ���������������������������������������iii CEO/Director of Canada Council for the Arts �����������������������������������������iv Prismatic Team ������������������������������������������������ 1 Schedule of Events ������������������������������������������ 2 Event Map ������������������������������������������������������ 3 Rencor Vivo by The Mariachi Ghost ������������������ 5 Sina Bathaie ��������������������������������������������������� 6 The Mush Hole by Santee Smith ���������������������� 7 Tales of an Urban Indian

by Talk is Free Theatre ������������������������������������� 8 Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover

by Onelight Theatre ���������������������������������������� 9 SuperNova by Rah-Eleh ����������������������������������11 ‘Africville’ Book Launch by Shauntay Grant �����12 Broken English Karaoke

by Stephanie Yee �������������������������������������������13 Shibaali by Habib Meftahboushehri and special guest Mohsen Sharifian ����������������������14 Opening Gala �������������������������������������������������15 Ava a film by Sadaf Foroughi ��������������������������16 The Talk ���������������������������������������������������������17 Masterclass ����������������������������������������������������17

Shahin Sayadi | Artistic & Executive Director Maggie Stewart | Managing Director Raeesa Lalani | Producer Patricia Vinluan | Production Manager Hugh Neilson | Strategic Advisor Mike Mader | Technical Director Production Assistants | Jameela Rahey, Tamar Dina, and Jordan Banyan

Minuteman Press | www.mmphalifax.com Prismatic Arts Society Board | Rhia Perkins, Kate Hamilton, Jeff Ward, Neal Morgan, Miya Turnbull, Agustina Perez, and Erin MacDonald Twitter: @prismaticarts Facebook: www.facebook. com/prismaticfestival Instagram @prismaticarts #Prismatic2018

You’ve Got Passion You’ve Got Curiosity You’ve Got Drive Come and invent your future!

dal.ca/performingarts

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

NOW LEASING 902.431.2400 902.431.3400

Project by

2018 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE For ticketed events go to: www.prismaticfestival.com/tickets  8:00 pm

September 10 to 17 SuperNova by Rah-Eleh ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA

Tuesday September 11th

 7:00 pm

Shibaali – concert by Habib Meftahboushehri, with special guest Mohsen Sharifian Reception and panel discussion with Artists of the Iranian Diaspora following Shibaali performance ATLANTICA HOTEL – THE COMMONS

Wednesday September 12th prismatic arts festival 2018

 7:00 pm FREE

2

Prismatic 2018 Opening Gala: Rebecca Thomas, Hubert Francis, Mahalia Smith, and Sina Bathaie HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY – PAUL O’REGAN HALL

 9:00 pm

Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover

By Onelight Theatre DALHOUSIE ARTS CENTRE DUNN THEATRE

 10:00 pm FREE

Broken English Karaoke BUS STOP THEATRE

Thursday September 13th

 11:00 am

FREE

Shauntay Grant ‘Africville’ Book Launch/Reading AFRICVILLE MUSEUM

 6:00 pm FREE

Rah-Eleh – Artist Talk ART GALLERY OF NS - WINDSOR FOUNDATION LECTURE THEATRE

 6:00 pm

Ava – a feature film by Sadaf Foroughi HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY – PAUL O’REGAN HALL

Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover

By Onelight Theatre DALHOUSIE ARTS CENTRE DUNN THEATRE

 10:00 pm FREE

Broken English Karaoke BUS STOP THEATRE

Friday September 14th

 12:00 pm

(student matinee)

The Mush Hole

by Santee Smith SPATZ THEATRE

 6:00 pm

The Mush Hole

by Santee Smith SPATZ THEATRE

 8:00 pm

Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover

By Onelight Theatre DALHOUSIE ARTS CENTRE DUNN THEATRE

 10:00 pm FREE

Broken English Karaoke BUS STOP THEATRE

Saturday September 15th

 4:00 pm

Tales of an Urban Indian

by Talk is Free Theatre BUS STOP THEATRE

 7:00 pm

Sina Bathaie ART GALLERY OF NS - GALLERY 5

 8:30 pm

Rencor Vivo by The Mariachi Ghost BUS STOP THEATRE

 10:00 pm FREE

Broken English Karaoke BUS STOP THEATRE

Sunday September 16th

 2:00 pm

Tales of an Urban Indian

by Talk is Free Theatre BUS STOP THEATRE

 7:00 pm

Rencor Vivo by The Mariachi Ghost BUS STOP THEATRE

 10:00 pm FREE

Broken English Karaoke BUS STOP THEATRE

Par k St

St

ar y

Ch urc h

Bre nto n

Co St

ay M a ck

James

n L

Ave

Wh eb Ter by r

t tle S Thi s Ge

Bo und ar y St ph

Br d g

S te

nald

Ma cd o

a St h

Gr

ys Fa

Rd

l Rd ina Ma rg

r tD t san eS lea ilvi P g O int Po

ur

ne La

Fran ckly n

St

le w

sR

d

Bo uld e rw

In g

ood D Ba mo r ra Rd l

Winwic

Dr

Co g

sw

Trollope St

ood Rd

r bo

r Ha ill D t eH tS Pin an

Ha ll

R

s land

We st St Sa r

Rd

A

Park h ill La k e Rd

rd rw a Fo

ms

ers

McCulloch C rt

Ro be r St ts

e W a ro n lk

H

L Ne a dy ls Rd on

St

t

Ch arl es

Wi llo w S Nor th t S

Loop Rd

Dr

Ma bou Av eB k p ar

L in de

t

Na ntu ck e

Br o ok

Jam ie St n

Ang us L

Ma Rus c s Bil ara S ell St by t St r

Ter r

en Dr

eh a v Pin

ne

t

Dr wl Bo

Rd

ch

P un

Pel sid e Ave zan t St D Fau awso lkn nS Lyl er S t eS t t

t Gro ve S Ri c

C Liv ork S e Lo rpoo t Ed ndon l St inb u rg S t Be hS rl t Vie in St nn aS t Alm Se S on afo um St r th mit Wi St St nd so

t Ex

Brae bu rn Rd

gar

ain R Co d w ie Hil l

Mo unt

Ro g

r dD oo r thw u wD So v ie

M elvi R

n

Redwo od Av Inverness Ave e

C lin Ave t

es Dr

M St S a

rn e

Os bo

urn s

t Stu Gra h art am D r

Le pp er tS

Le xing to n Av e

wood Ave

Dr

hm o S t nd

St Ro om e

Seb Ca astia bo nS M t Co t lum erke St Ca bo Sta bus l St tP l n le St Me rk e Sta y S lP S l Liv tan i rs t l ing S Ba ey sto t Lan ck e Ka ne St ne St Y De ou mo ng St S t ne

e

Hoo dS t

Fi

Wa lto nD r

u nt

D

Bald Eagle Pl

Y

lc Cr ot nd C ow R u rt nD n r

sI

ge

Glen E Way

r Geo

la

B t t th e nS ls S Av sse clea ng Bru M ou

Rd

Map l e wo od La ne

St

u So

nd u la Rh S t

t ll S che St Mit nd

t in S Tob St t n Ke en St t kS Gre S m ith S t wi c Fen Rd dry a i Fo u n e tor La n Vic

er Tow

Rd

Marlbo

St

L it

e C ov ells Pu rc Cr es ch f ield

A ve

lis Ing

rough

d

a

ur

U n iv

it y e rs

St uth So St ser Fra

Bosc

e ob

lbi

n

st to ne

o

t

Dr

Arm

H

vey Har

nS

t

Kirk Rd

d nR rd e Ga

St

Broo k t S

Dartmouth Cove

t pS ho Bis

yle Do t S

ton ng

ie S

SIR SANDFORD FLEMING PARK

E

t

lli We

i tla

Wh arf

F

t

St

A

t

Rd nd kla Terr Oa ina eg Ridg BeaufoR r ew o od t Ave

Milton Dr

eS

Ave gh rou d Ave o rlbo Ma enwo Gre Ave ue lev itchieDr Bel R

es

Kin gs

r

r

rk Pa

res

y rra Mu l P

eS lleg Co

kRd

D ing le Rd

on

Br d g ckay

urra y Ma AM

Stoneham Crt

Ga in sbo North R idge ro u R Pl gh

Ba

y ne

St

F or r

es te r

St

Africville Rd

Cla y La de ne

e rn e y D

ee Qu

g rin Sp

ous St

ill ckv Sa

t yS

St t rd rS wa t ou Ed S ym Se nt St nry He ha arc Lem

c ock

S

Wa te

S ke Du

B

Dalh li ffe

e Av

er

uth So

t

Ca

R

Dr

Up p

St

S on

Fleming

C re s

St

A ld

Hazelh Ne urs w tS t

x

er mm Su

n Ver

Th

st

ne Bin

d gR bur ay Co eW stin Ca iC Ed mn Al u

c olti egw Wa Ave

t Letson Cr

ru

d

r

Bridgevi e w Dr Towervie w Dr ro B ryden Ave

kD

ley R

rac

Au

t

im nhe Ble Terr

Pearl St A ve

rt S

ll r ze le Ci st

a

t

nk Ter B

rb

r St

Br

ma

md ona ld

d a le

rke

Re x

Va lle om y R

Pa

Ridg e

we

ld e

t tS lnu ut St Wa n est St Ch ch Lar

Rd

Pl

Ma r

Wi M elvill e Ave gate L nc R a ms

G

t St t yS ry lS rel hirle den Cher S Lin t pe p S Pe

Ave v a le v e o rn a le A d ch Bi r

Crt

e Rd Reserv

Rd ove Ave er gC n rri He d

ve Cr t

n

lde Rd wy et R Idle

Ge

Sh aw

a n ig

oa ilb e Sa Lan

St

t dS t oo rw ork S ll St o Y wa N rn Co Rd ee bil u J

d ld R rfie Fai

t

Dr ge

rth

Cedar b ank Terr

st he

W hite Do

Ta

La

rid P ine

t rS yo Pr

No

naker

d

St

r

oo d

l

le Ya

r

i ew

d

D

ate

thu Ar ce t S

Ar mv

ve kA St an ech seb Be Ro

n Pri

eth a b Rd nn Ly Rd

Arm Dr

stone C

rt

We st

Herbert Rd

e Ridg

D

Stonehaven Rd yo

Alton

lly Ke

d gep ark Lane

Quarry Rd

e

Ri

o od Fenw

La wn w

Rd

P Park w ood Du nve gan e Dr Av

Dr

Eliz

Cresce nt Ave

arets Bay Rd tone Gat Dr

S p in

l oo inp Qu

t Dr

r

Ca

W a

F orre s t A ve

Eas

Ba l

illi o Cr m St

te oco la C h ake R d L

c om

e Av

t

Rock Dr HOTEL Rd G ATLANTICA Keating Ar ms Rd Robie oStreet 1980 hore l Terr Fai rm Dr amue

S

ton

ui n

Cra igm ore

St rd S t rva Ha xford t O eS n Kli

w Ne

nt s ce est c re nt W Arm sce c r e Av e St n

A rm

S Q t ld S nt na ou do stm ac M We

on

St Elm ar St pl Po

rt Dr y

M o rn

St

Sw ain eS t

ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA 1723 Hollis Street

F

r St

wn R

t rS ate er W t Low lis S w Hol Ro rd df o t Be S St lle ton nvi St raf Gra yle G t Arg rket S Ma

t g au v A

S

Dr

St

h Ph erwo ilip od Jo se St St ph S Rooset velt D r

ide D r in g s

han

as S

Portl a nd St F oston St d li

H

rk

d f or res Be Rd

t

n on

tr e

ve

nag

Du bli n

Ave Isner

St

Re

e

s A ve

n

Dr

g Av eld in

A at

Wi nd so

HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY -MurRphobe d rd R fo m Mu PAUL O'REGAN HALL 5440 Spring Garden Rd

E

le ag

nn oll y

Llo yd Av Fox e

t Olive

Ern Ave

Mo r

St

Kin g

h to

St

Chis h olm Aven ue Ext

Dr

t bot Ab st

Dr

St

ve Ward A A ik e

Westerwald St

ie

t

Co

h

e

ky D

vill e

t

CP Killic al k 01 if C a Rd t a r Ru rol the lR d P rfo r o t S v rd oW ye St Ka alli G a A dm s l S La l ey ir s Va t ne lo u Wa y rW am No ay rth La ilton V W n w oo i c e G o t d Fu ory ller od Te ottin Ave La ne ge Ter rr nS r Ro Fe rn Agri t bie Lan co St e l a S H t Ma Cre itla ig nd Brun sw St Ma hton ick yn S Gla t ard St dst St on eS t Ba N o ue r th rS t St Pa t S Rainnie Dr d ve r a A n t S Cu o mpton St l l s C e lia m W il St d ncan ce St R u D re n t cto Bell Qui ng Rd ebu Law llan S Ch A Sid Rd e

d lR

ur

C

Huron

Bayers R

St to n n in g Ave P e nlk e r a ton u e l W Ra ls Dr

tt S Ellio

ve ve ll A s Ave n w Do

le da er ov d Cl R

d VaughanTHEATRE BUS STOP Ave Coo k Ave Street 2203 Gottingen

Sam

Joseph Howe

! D

e Ave val ve A n

cS ma Mic

Rowe Ave

e

SPATZ THEATRE 1855 Trollope Street

C AFRICVILLE MUSEUM 5795 Africville Rd

w

us

La n

Te rr wk Ha k s Dr Barrac

La

B

fe C s ve r e A Chisholm

shto n

e

Isle

sS Fairbank Shore Rd

!

Iris

in

al

ol W

r

xw Ma

Ba rr Ve ingto i th n Un St St ion St Vin Ne ce ed nt ha St m S

L

ar r St e n

o Bis n

DUNN THEATRE 6101 University Ave

Co nn an or e

y Ke n n St

Ro r Av n se e me ad Hig eA h v Bri e gh St D t St Dr r Rd nd Pre mo Mass m sco ach a C use y H omm tts Av tt St Lad iss e ion St Kempt Rd rawberr y HillSt St Cre ve s llAA W H

A DAL ARTS CENTRE -

e

t

W indmill Rd

Rd e nt

Du nd

sk Er

t

Pl

Lea ma Nov n S ale Me t aD r so

w vie B a sin rial o Mem

y rd Hw Bedfo

Alb ert S

St ia St Pau ls S t

am Arm

Wy se Rd

Wds

Ac ad

St nch St

so

apl eS St

l St

be Gle Ly

Kencrest Ave

d

l Rd

Pin e

a Can

North M argin a

oL ord an a ne S t Ro Lan ya Flo seda e le r Green Rd Hes al Ave Dr ter St

Ro Du s n Joh ve r Dr St t n ie on e A bou san a ail Har t r Ple le S Esd r st Dr B u st le h M ap ca

C

Bedford Basin

Ha i g St

Narrows

ea

The

l

POINT PLEASANT PARK

MEET, SLEEP,

DINE & UNWIND at the centre of everything Halifax has to offer.

Call (902) 423-1161 or email sales@atlanticahalifax.com AT L A N T I C A H O T E L H A L I FA X . C O M

A different kind of home.

A different kind of builder.

View our home styles at CRESCO.ca

co-presented by

The Mariachi Ghost The Mariachi Ghost has been thrilling international audiences with their unique blend of Mexican folklore, prog-rock, and theatrical flair for close to 10 years. This Winnipeg-based band, composed of a supernatural and magical team of musicians and dancers have expanded their artistic vision to develop Rencor Vivo – a ghost story set in Old Mexico that brings the literary traditions of Magical Realism to life on stage in a unique musical theatre production.

Prismatic commissioned this new work as part of the Level Up Project and is proud to present the debut of Rencor Vivo at Prismatic 2018.

Created in the style of Magical Realism, Rencor Vivo is a high-energy combination of musical theatre, a ghost story, and cultural hypnosis. The production brings the sounds and

atmosphere of 19th century Mexico to an English-speaking contemporary stage through this story about the rancor of life in a ghost town set in Old Mexico. Rencor Vivo honors the elements of Magical Realism and takes audiences through an epic landscape full of characters motivated by bitterness, hope, lost promise and dreams.

Written and conceived by The Mariachi Ghost’s lead singer, Jorge Requena Ramos, Rencor Vivo is influenced by Requena Ramos’ childhood in Mexico and by the Magical Realism literary traditions of Latin America. Works such as ‘Doña Bárbara’ by Rómulo Gallegos, ‘Pedro Páramo’ by Juan Rulfo, and ‘100 Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez found their way into Requena Ramos’ hands and soul. He connected these stories to the family tales told by his Grandfather, which echo the characters and events in Rulfo’s ‘Pedro Páramo’ – which is not surprising given that Jorge Requena Ramos grew up close to the town where Rulfo’s work is set.

SEPTEMBER 15TH AT 8:30PM AND SEPTEMBER 16TH AT 7PM | BUS STOP THEATRE | TICKETED $29 REGULAR, $25 STUDENT/SENIOR/UNDERWAGED

prismatic arts festival 2018

o v i V r Renthce Loiving Hate

5

prismatic arts festival 2018

Sina Bathaie – Ray of Hope

6

Sina Bathaie is a Toronto-based composer and santur player known around the world for his unique style and approach toward Persian contemporary music. Born in Iran, Sina first learned to play the santur from his father, Master Javad Bathaie. He continued to follow his passion in music by practicing Persian classical repertoire, radif, with the stringed-instrument oud, and explored the concept of rhythm by learning tonbak, a form of Persian drum.

Sina Bathaie has been welcomed and recognized in the world music scene and has performed at the Luminato Festival, Aga Khan Museum, Mundial Montreal, South Asia Calling and more. Through multiple years of experimental collaboration and attending residencies such as the Banff Centre for Performing Art, Sina has achieved a unique sound

in world fusion music which hypnotizes his audiences and has garnered him fans from across the globe.

Prismatic is delighted to have Sina perform pieces from his latest release Ray of Hope with his talented ensemble at the 2018 festival. This music blends Persian melodies, featuring Sina on the santur, with western instruments such as guitar, cello, and percussion.

Ray of Hope is dedicated to all of those who have pursued; who have suffered while the world waits for us to remember this perennial first wisdom that love ignores all boundaries.

What we hope for in the end is that remembrance with which we can hurdle every fence, tear down every wall and arrive at that place where hope greets us in warm welcome.

Each text in the cover is a verse of a poem which celebrates our timeless elusive pursuit for peace, hope, and the most important of all these, love” – Sina Bathaie

SEPTEMBER 15TH | 7PM | ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA - GALLERY 5 | TICKETED | $32 REGULAR, $25 STUDENT/SENIOR/UNDERWAGED

Photo by: Carley Gallant

Thanks for sponsoring youth tickets

Prismatic 2018 is pleased to welcome back Tekaronhiáhkhwa Santee Smith, an Onkwehon:we woman from the Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk) Nation, Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario.

Santee’s newest project The Mush Hole, was developed with the support of Prismatic’s Level Up Project and we are honoured to present the debut performance at Prismatic 2018.

The Mush Hole dance-theatre performance acknowledges the lives and spirits of Mohawk Institute residential school survivors. Keeping hope as the driving force, the performance offers and reflects truths of the Mohawk Institute and relives the experiences and devastating impacts on both the students and the parents who were without their children. The Mush Hole is about survival, resilience, and is an embodied way to say: “Enskwakhwahshón:rien – we will feed your hunger, kwè:iahre – we remember you, kwanorónhkhwa – we love you.”

SEPTEMBER 14TH | 12PM (STUDENT MATINEE) AND 6PM | SPATZ THEATRE | TICKETED $25 REGULAR, $22 STUDENT/SENIOR/UNDERWAGED

prismatic arts festival 2018

Santee Smith

The Mush Hole

7

co-presented by

prismatic arts festival 2018

Tales of an Urban Indian

8

Have you ever tried to discern the difference between imagination and reality? Hop aboard and let yourself be whisked away into a theatrical performance that takes place on a moving bus.

Tales of An Urban Indian, written by Darrell Dennis, is the story of Simon Douglas: a contemporary First Nations male, who was born in the 1970s, and raised both on the reserve and in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a play about a kid growing up told entirely from a personal perspective. Tales of an Urban Indian conjures up an array of characters that come in and out of Simon’s life as seen through his eyes – but will all be played by one actor, Craig Lauzon. Staged on a moving transit bus, whilst visiting locations described in

the story, this play is a unique and unforgettable theatrical experience.

Prismatic 2018 is delighted to debut Tales of an Urban Indian on the East Coast.

Talk Is Free Theatre Talk is Free Theatre, from Barrie, Ontario is making its way over to the East Coast with leadership by Founding Artistic Producer, Arkady Spivak. TIFT has made an international reputation for producing off-centre repertoire, with particular emphasis on esoteric works of musical theatre; site specific, immersive creations; neglected classics, and new work.

SEPTEMBER 15 AT 4PM | SEPTEMBER 16 AT 2PM | BUS STOP THEATRE | TICKETED | $19 REGULAR, $15 STUDENT/SENIOR/UNDERWAGED

Developed under the artistic leadership of Shahin Sayadi, Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover is a story of forbidden love, a family that is divided by long-held secrets, and a community that is trying to find balance between traditional ways and the modern world. The play culminates in a Zar exorcism ceremony, intended to rid a young man of the “sickness” of his love for an outcast young woman, that ultimately reveals a father’s long-buried secrets.

Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover is set in the northern shores of the Persian Gulf in southern Iran where East African and Persian traditions have blended over time to produce unique cultural practices, including the modern Zar

/ exorcism rituals. The play explores how cultures and communities change over time: how traditions can be sustained from generation to generation and also how there can be sudden, overnight cultural change.

Onelight commissioned Habib Meftahoushehri (Iran/France) and Mohsen Sharifian (Iran), internationally-recognized musicians with ties to southern Iran, to develop original music for the production.

Prismatic supported the development of this production through the Level Up project and is proud to present the debut production at Prismatic 2018.

There will be a talk-back with Shahin Sayadi following the performance on Friday, September 14, during which Sayadi will discuss the creative process of developing Asheq

SEPT 12, 9PM | SEPT 13-14, 8PM | DAL ARTS CENTRE - DUNN THEATRE | TICKETED | $25 REGULAR, $22 STUDENT/SENIOR/UNDERWAGED

prismatic art sfestival 2018

Asheq

by Onelight Theatre

9

Jordan Bennett:

Ketu’elmita’jik Opening December 1, 2018

Jordan Bennett, Nisqanamuk Kmtn (detail), 2015 Photo: Candace Kennedy

Proud to be covering the city and the community for the last 25 years. thecoast.ca

Rah is an Iranian- Canadian digital and performance artist.

Rah’s work has been exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship. Rah was also the only Iranian-Canadian artist in SAW Galleries Ciphers: Tension with Tradition in Contemporary Iranian Photography which was curated by PhD. Andrea D. Fitzpatrick and was a first-of-its-kind exhibition of Iran’s most critically acclaimed lens-based artists.

In her work, Rah focuses on and critiques the visual stereotypes and performative aspects that shape female gender identity and Iranian ethnic identity. Her perspective is that of a Canadian-Iranian who is questioning while also trying to assert gender and cultural identity. In particular, she focuses on the performances through which individuals express such identities and critiques the value and legitimacy of identity and cultural expression.

Rah’s body of work aims to contribute to greater social knowledge, awareness and cultural discourses surrounding the Iranian diaspora. She aims to contribute to the interdisciplinary field of contemporary art within a Canadian cultural

framework and help fill the gap of research and art production surrounding the Iranian-Canadian diaspora in cultural production and scholarship.

SuperNova Presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, SuperNova takes audiences to galaxy Messier 82 to witness a talent show that sets an ideal stage to critically examine race and ethnic performance.

The judges in the talent show, Sirius, Mira and Bellatrix, are each named after the brightest star from various constellations. They are assessing the contestants, Oreo, Fatimeh, and Coco, who each perform short acts that examine issues of race and ethnic performance. As the show progresses, it becomes apparent that each judge is, themselves, mirrored by the contestants.

Prismatic and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are honoured to debut Rah-Eleh’s SuperNova.

Join us for an artist talk with Rah-Eleh to dive deeper into the themes and concepts of this new work on Thursday September 13th at 6:00 pm at the Windsor Foundation Lecture Theatre at the AGNS.

SEPTEMBER 10TH - 17TH INSTALLATION VIEWING | ALL DAY | ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA | AGNS ADMISSION RATE SEPTEMBER 13TH | 6PM | ARTIST TALK | ART GALLERY OF NOVA SCOTIA - WINDSOR FOUNDATION LECTURE THEATRE | FREE

prismatic arts festival 2018

Rah-Eleh

11

Shauntay Grant Book Launch and Reading of ‘Africville’ Shauntay Grant is a writer and storyteller from Halifax, Nova Scotia. A descendant of Black Loyalists, Jamaican Maroons, and Black Refugees who came to Canada – Shauntay’s love of language stretches back to her storytelling roots in Nova Scotia’s historic black communities.

prismatic arts festival 2018

Prismatic hosts the launch and reading of Shauntay’s newest book ‘Africville’ at the Africville Museum on September 13 at 11am – an event for the whole family.

12

Africville When a young girl visits the site of Africville, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the stories she’s heard from her family come to mind. She imagines what the community was once like —the SEPTEMBER 13TH | 11AM | BOOK LAUNCH/READING | AFRICVILLE MUSEUM | FREE

brightly painted houses nestled into the hillside, the field where boys played football, the pond where all the kids went rafting, the bountiful fishing, the huge bonfires. Coming out of her reverie, she visits the present-day park and the sundial where her great- grandmother’s name is carved in stone, and celebrates a summer day at the annual Africville Reunion/Festival.

Africville was a vibrant Black community for more than 150 years. But even though its residents paid municipal taxes, they lived without running water, sewers, paved roads and police, fire-truck and ambulance services. Over time, the city located a slaughterhouse, a hospital for infectious disease, and even the city garbage dump nearby. In the 1960s, city officials decided to demolish the community, moving people out in city dump trucks and relocating them in public housing. Today, Africville has been replaced by a park, where former residents and their families gather each summer to remember their community.

Stephanie Yee Broken English Karaoke Festival goers are invited to end the night with us either on the stage or in the audience of this interactive performance installation. All within the length of a song, each opportunity challenges the participant to navigate the boundaries between the familiar and unfamiliar.

While karaoke pervades everyday life in many Asian countries, the presence of karaoke in North America is usually confined to aspiring celebrities and drinking culture. Adopting the platform of karaoke, and its myriad associations, this piece replaces the lyrics of popular American songs with broken English translations. The end result allows for a fun experience that not only exposes the complexities of language, but social anxieties as well. Come join us and have a good time as we delve into and explore the lively state of being lost and found in translation.

SEPTEMBER 12 TO 16TH | 10PM | BUS STOP THEATRE | FREE

prismatic arts festival 2018

Stephanie Yee is a multidisciplinary artist known for creating thoughtful and immersive work that interrogates concepts of community and identity. Using performance, video, sculpture and installation, she creates spaces where the audience can negotiate a work’s meaning together. Blurring the lines between real and imagined scenarios, Yee’s practice aims to re-examine notions of everyday life.

Currently based in Windsor, Ontario, her artistic pursuits brought her to Halifax and New York City. As both an artist and curator, she has participated in various artist-run centers, festivals, galleries and residencies, locally and internationally. She was an Arts Nova Scotia creation grant recipient, was featured on the cover of Visual Arts News magazine’s Summer 2017 issue and is one quarter of ORIENTATION, an Asian woman arts collective.

A crowd favourite at Prismatic, Stephanie is pleased to present Broken English Karaoke and can’t wait to see you up on stage, mic in hand!

13

prismatic arts festival 2018

Shibaali – presented by Cresco Habib Meftahboushehri with special guest Mohsen Sharifian

14

Shibaali: an artist’s travel diary brought to life through music and rhythm.

Musician, percussionist and composer, Habib Meftah-boushehri studies the movement of rhythms and music across time and space. He is inspired by the history of rhythms that have been traveling from place to place, from country to country and, in particular, how these sounds come together in the blend of musical traditions in Southern Iran. Habib’s birthplace, Boushehr, Iran is the cross-roads of distinct cultures: Persian, Muslim and African influences give the music and rhythms of this region a unique sound and texture. With all of this history and experience in his backpack, Habib moved from southern Iran to Paris and

from there, all over the globe. He has been exchanging rhythms with musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds, a percussion merchant. Habib has expanded his sound and his musical expertise to become one of the most in-demand perscussionists in the world music scene.

With Shibaali, Habib brings audiences the treasures of his musical, global travels. Prismatic is proud to present Habib Meftahboushehri, in concert with special guest, master musician, Mohsen Sharifian. Mohsen Sharifian is a master of the ney-anban, a traditional double reed instrument, similar to a bagpipe, from southern Iran. He is also the leading global authority on the traditional music and instruments of Boushehr. Since childhood, Mohsan and Habib have been collaborating and influencing each other’s musical projects.

It is a rare opportunity for these globe-trotting musicians to appear together on stage.

Prismatic is honoured to bring Habib’s newest work, Shibaali, to audiences in Canada, with Nicolas Lacoumette and special guest performer, Mohsen Sharifian.

SEPTEMBER 11 - 7PM | ATLANTICA HOTEL HALIFAX - COMMONS ROOM | TICKETS: $41

Rebecca Thomas

Gala

Master of Ceremonies & Spoken Word

Mahalia Smith

Monologue & Song

Hubert Francis Welcome Song

Sina Bathaie Musical Performance

SEPTEMBER 12TH - 7PM | HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY – PAUL O’REGAN HALL | FREE

prismatic arts festival 2018

opening

15

prismatic arts festival 2018

AVA

16

Seventeen-year-old Iranian Ava challenges the strict rules of her traditional upbringing and learns that her mother broke the rules as a young woman as well. Ava’s first visit to the gynecologist with her mother is a traumatic experience for the 16-year-old young woman. Trauma gives way to anger when Ava discovers her mother’s dishonesty and learn of the rules she broke, when she was the age Ava is now.

Bewildered and enraged, Ava attempts and fails suicide at school. To avoid being expelled, she accepts a deal to snitch on her classmates, but a guilty conscience is a heavy burden.

Misunderstood by her parents and tormented by school, Ava decides on a third way forward.

Prismatic is honoured to be presenting Ava, which has won numerous awards at Toronto International Film Festival (2017) and the Canadian Screen Awards (2018), including best first film and best actress in a supporting role.

Sadaf Foroughi Sadaf Foroughi is an Iranian-Canadian, Montreal-based filmmaker. She began her artistic career in 2003 by creating and producing short films, documentaries and video art. Foroughi graduated with an MA in Film Studies from the University of Provence, and obtained a degree in Film Production from the New York Film Academy.

Sadaf’s debut feature film AVA had its premier in the Toronto International Film Festival

SEPTEMBER 13 - 6PM | HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY – PAUL O’REGAN HALL | TICKETED | $12 REGULAR, $10 STUDENT/SENIOR/UNDERWAGED

ROOM 1028 - THE KENNETH C. ROWE MANAGEMENT BUILDING, DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY (FREE) A part of Intro to Performance class but Open to the Public, Prismatic 2018 artists, Shahin Sayadi and Rah-Eleh, will be engaging with students of the Fountain School of Performing Arts (Dalhousie University) to provide a “behindthe-scenes” look into the creative process that the artists employ to develop and produce their theatre, visual arts and performance art works.

AGNS – WINDSOR FOUNDATION LECTURE THEATRE (FREE) Visual and performance artist Rah-Eleh will be speaking about her creative process and work, with specific reference to SuperNova – the artist’s installation that is co-presented

by Prismatic and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

September 14 – Santee Smith – Artist Talk

September 14 – Shahin Sayadi – Artist Talk

DALHOUSIE ARTS CENTRE – DUNN THEATRE (ACCESS WITH TICKET) Theatre artist, Shahin Sayadi, will engage with audiences following the final performance of Asheq at Prismatic 2018.

He will be discussing his creative influences and the process used to develop and produce Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover.

September 14 at 1:00pm – Access and Equity, in the Performing Arts STUDIO TWO, DALHOUSIE ARTS CENTRE, 6101 UNIVERSITY AVENUE Prismatic is proud to partner with the Fountain School of Performing Arts to bring culturally diverse, professional artists into university classrooms to engage with performing arts students.

Rah-eleh

masterclasses

September 13 at 6pm – Rah-Eleh – Artist Talk

SPATZ THEATRE (ACCESS WITH PERFORMANCE TICKET) Following the student matinee performance of The Mush Hole Award-winning dancer and choreographer, Santee Smith, will engage with audiences following the performance of The Mush Hole.

Film Analysis Masterclass September 10th – 2:30pm to 5:30pm

Sina Bathaie

Composition Masterclass September 14th – 9:30am to 11:30am

prismatic arts festival 2018

September 12 at 1:30pm – Inside the Creative Process

THE

RECEPTION AND PANEL DISCUSSION – PRESENTED BY CRESCO ATLANTICA HOTEL HALIFAX – COMMONS ROOM (TICKETED) Following Shibaali concert, Prismatic hosts a reception and panel discussion to explore the artistic and professional challenges and opportunities facing artists in the Iranian diaspora. Hear from Prismatic 2018 artists: Habib Meftahboushehri (France), Sina Bathaie (Canada), Rah-Eleh (Canada), Mohsen Sharifian (Iran) and Shahin Sayadi (Canada / US).

talk

September 11 at 9pm – Artists of the Iranian Diaspora

17

Because it’s more than just music.

Proud to sponsor Prismatic.

Music has the power to move us, teach us, and connect us. That’s why TD has been supporting music since 2003; sponsoring over 100 community music programs and 80 music festivals across Canada.

Learn more at TDMusic.com ®

The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

M05270 (0417)