Potlatch Pride
Co-production with Indigenous Performance Initiatives
September 22, 2005 @ 7PM
Nozhem: First Peoples’ Performance Space. (Peter Gzowski College, Trent University)
Tickets:
Open To All. Admission by donation
A Talk & Demonstration of songs, legends, regalia and dance of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, Vancouver Island, B.C.
with George Taylor, artistic director, and dancers Danny Cox and Dave Dawson
The Kwakwaka’wakw people come from a long tradition of creating art, dances and songs that represent their beliefs and culture. The mandate of the Le La La Dancers Society is to keep these songs, stories and dances alive. Under the direction of George Taylor since its inception, the group has been performing traditional dances, songs, and stories of their nation for over 20 years. They have performed nationally and internationally, with tours in Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Switzerland. Artistic Director George Taylor (potlatch name Me’las) began singing and dancing at potlatches when he was just a young boy. Many respected Elders and Chiefs have influenced and contributed to his repertoire of songs and dances in which the performers use carved cedar masks, headdresses, drums, rattles and button blankets to depict the ancient stories of animals and spirits within their culture.
