Sharing Circle: A Celebration of Indigenous Culture – February 25-26, 2023

Sharing Circle: A Celebration of Indigenous Culture

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is hosting a weekend-long celebration of Indigenous culture with a mix of free and ticketed events. Co-curated by Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo and Victoria May, Sharing Circle will offer patrons a look at a variety of Indigenous arts including performances, visual, cinema and even culinary arts, introducing elements of Indigenous Modernism highlighting work outside of what is considered traditional.

Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo
Photo: Sylvie-Ann Par

This weekend features performances by traditional dancers, modern dancer Keenan Simik Komaksiutiksak, indie-rock and folk singer-songwriter Beatrice Deer, visual art by MC Snow and Leilani Shaw, music by DJ Pøptrt, a reading of Jimmy Blais’ play Feather Gardens, and screenings of short films in partnership with Wapikoni Mobile. There will also be a Jewish-Indigenous food tasting provided by Chef Swaneige and Zera Café. To top it off, there will be a small pop-up market of Indigenous artisans selling their crafts in the Lobby throughout.

Free Vernissage and Film Screening

The weekend will start off on February 25 at 5 pm with a free vernissage for carefully curated collection of visual art by MC Snow and Leilani Shaw, and beats by the effervescent and upbeat DJ Pøptrt. Painter and sculptor MC Snow’s art attempts to speak of contemporary issues using or referencing traditional cultural practices and materials. Leilani Shaw’s art has a striking and colourful graphic style that has been on display in some of the city’s metros. This exhibition will be on display in the Segal Centre ArtLounge until April 2.

Victoria May

During the vernissage, a selection of short films curated by Wapikoni Mobile will be on display in the CinemaSpace, with a repeat screening on Sunday at 12:30pm, followed by a Q&A moderated by a Wapikoni Ambassdor.

Dance and Music Showcase

The headlining event of the weekend is a three-act dance and music showcase featuring traditional dancers, contemporary dancer Keenan Simik Komaksiutiksak, and acclaimed “Inuindie” singer-songwriter Beatrice Deer. This voyage through time offers a glimpse at traditional powwow dances and explores Indigenous Modernism and what the future of Indigenous Art may look like. There will be a special welcoming ceremony performed by an elder to launch the performance on February 25.

“Around the Kitchen Table” Tasting

There is no better way to learn about another culture than through their food and how it is served. On February 26 at 1:30 pm, Chef Swaneige and Zera Café will come together to create a tasting menu of delicious canapés and hors d’oeuvres that builds a bridge between two cultures, Indigenous and Jewish, highlighting the best that each community has to offer. Spaces for this event are limited.

Play reading of Jimmy Blais’ Feather Gardens

Closing off this weekend festival on February 26 at 3:00 pm is a play reading of Feather Gardens by Jimmy Blais. It premiered in 2022 at Hudson Village Theatre, who also commissioned the piece. It tells the story of a Hudsonite who uncovers what he believes is a valuable piece of Indigenous history in his backyard and tries to get it appraises by a strong-willed pair in Kanesatake. The reading is directed by Dean Fleming and features Cary Lawrence, Bruce Dinsmore, Charles Bender, and Jimmy Blais. The reading will be followed by a Q&A.

For the full schedule of events, and to purchase tickets or a weekend pass, visit: www.segalcentre.org or call 514-739-7944