~The Serpent People~

Aanmitaagzi is excited to invite the community to explore their newest work “The Serpent People” (working title), based on a regional story about the black sturgeon of the Manitou Islands: a story of transformation, change, consumption and loss within the individual, family, and community.

Through dance, theatre, mask making, installation, painting, drawing, writing, soundscape, and music, we will explore questions like:

• How does what we consume transform us?
• What is the nature of what we take in?
• What lurks in our shadows?
• What are we running from?
• What are we running towards?

Material developed in these workshops will contribute to Aanmitaagzi’s production of “The Serpent People” on Lake Nipissing for Ice Follies 2016 in February.

You’re invited…

Drop in for a tea. Stay and Explore.

…More to be announced!

Presenting September 7th at 3pm at Big Medicine Studio
“A Side of Dreams” by Paper Canoe Projects.
General admission $10 at the door. All welcome!

Description: Loss of culture and generational trauma can silence the best of us. But as one single mother discovers, the spirit of the Dreamcatcher can be awakened with prayer and the ancestors you meet in the world of dreams may not be what you expected. Written by seasoned artist, Jani Lauzon, A Side of Dreams is a multi-disciplinary theatre experience incorporating aeral hoop, puppetry, sound design, music, visual imagery and text.

With the help of Spiderwoman weaving her web, Haisa, (Jani Lauzon) a troubled and silent Métis mother awakens the spirit of the Dreamcatcher where Haisa meets multi-generational ancestors who help her face the truth of family secrets and ancestral/ community violence so that she may regain her voice and reconcile with her angry and isolated daughter Aina (Jessica Barrera).

In the world of dreams, in this land of subconscious reality, Haisa appears as a Banraku puppet, brilliantly manipulated by award winning puppeteer Trish Leeper with Jessica Barrera as her assistant. There she meets a mythical dragon, a Northern Boat man and both Haisa and her daughter Aina face the truth behind the death of Haisa’s mother Katherine.

Upon her return, Haisa not only calls her daughters name for the first time in years but is able to complete the making of the Dreamcatcher and teach her daughter the first few steps of the dance, wise advise given to her by one of her ancestors.

Running at 55 minutes, A Side of Dreams will appeal to young audiences as well as grown-ups, ending in a joyful message of reconciliation and the power of regaining one’s voice, as well as the importance of embracing ancestral memory. The journey incorporates an exquisite score composed by award winning composer Marsha Coffey (with Lauzon), and a beautifully executed projection design by Melissa Joakim.

The Side of Dreams gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Arts Council, National Arts Centre, Canada Council for the Arts, Arcadia Co-op, Thunderbird Centre/Miziwe Biik Employment & Training and AC Mechanical Contractors Ltd.

Paper Canoe Projects
19 Gates Ave. Toronto, ON M4C 1T1
www.papercanoeprojects.com
info@papercanoeprojects.com