Celebration of Nations
250 St. Paul Street L2R 3M7 Saint Catharines, ON, Canada

Calling all emerging Indigenous artists! Check out this exciting event launching in 2021. Visit the link below and learn more about this project with the Downie Wenjack Fund. Deadline is Friday 4 December at 11:59pm.

Did you miss Friday's collaborative performance at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre featuring Cris Derksen and Adam CK Vollick? Don't worry, you can still experience it! Visit the link below and pay-what-you-can (including $0) to access the incredible show, but the link will expire this Friday 4 December at 11:59pm. https://firstontariopac.ca//EventArticle-Fall2020-Cris-Der... This event was part of Celebration of Nations Featured Programming.

Nobody on the reserve really knew what the cello was, so how do I make a thing I’m super into relatable to other people? That’s where it stemmed from. Derksen found her sound by using guitar effects pedals on the cello, discovering a new palette for the instrument. It was a sound folk festival audiences embraced. Don't miss this collaborative pay-what-you-can virtual performance featuring Cris Derksen + Adam CK Vollick on Friday 27 November at 8pm. This concert is present...ed by FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and part of Celebration of Nations Featured Programming. TICKETS: https://firstontariopac.ca//EventArticle-Fall2020-Cris-Der

As a performer, Cris Derksen has performed nationally and internationally and with some of Canada’s finest, including Tanya Tagaq, Buffy Sainte Marie, Naomi Klein, and Leanne Simpson, to name a few. Originally from Northern Alberta, this Juno-nominated artist is an internationally-respected Indigenous cellist and composer. Cris braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create g...enre-defying music. Accompanying the music will be visuals by Niagara's own Adam CK Vollick. Vollick works in Canada and internationally with many lofty collaborators, including Daniel Lanois and Neil Young among others. Vollick continues to work on a diverse set of projects including documentary, narrative and experimental films. Catch this pay-what-you-can (including $0) virtual concert on Friday 27 November at 8pm. TICKETS: https://firstontariopac.ca//EventArticle-Fall2020-Cris-Der *It will be performed LIVE from Robertson Theatre at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and available for later viewing anytime until Friday 4 December 2020.

Navigating the Waters of Indigenous Art - Virtual Workshop Series CLAYTON SAMUEL KING Virtual Workshop 3 Mon 23 Nov 2020, 7-8pm...Continue reading

Last weekend, our friends and colleagues at One Dish, One Mic interviewed Cris Derksen via Zoom about the upcoming pay-what-you-can livestreamed performance that will take place this Fri 27 Nov. Cris will perform live from FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre's Robertson Theatre with visuals from Adam CK Vollick. Originally from Northern Alberta, this Juno-nominated artist is an internationally-respected Indigenous cellist and composer. Cris braids the traditional and contem...porary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music. Click here to secure a virtual ticket: https://firstontariopac.ca//EventArticle-Fall2020-Cris-Der or RSVP here: Cris Derksen w/ visuals by Adam CK Vollick

Join Cris Derksen for a virtual PWYC (pay-what-you-can) performance of original compositions via FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre // FRI 27 NOV at 8PM. Juno-nominated Cris Derksen is an internationally respected Indigenous cellist and composer. In a world where almost everything people, music, cultures get labelled and slotted into simple categories, Cris Derksen represents a challenge. Originally from Northern Alberta, she comes from a line of chiefs from NorthTall Cr...ee Reserve on her father’s side and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music. Performance visuals by Niagara's own video artist Adam CK Vollick, whose dreamscape visuals will illuminate and reflect the sensory performance. Vollick works internationally with many lofty collaborators, including Daniel Lanois and Neil Young among others and continues to work on a diverse set of projects including documentary, narrative and experimental films. For more info: https://firstontariopac.ca//EventArticle-Fall2020-Cris-Der Cris Derksen w/ visuals by Adam CK Vollick

Navigating the Waters of Indigenous Art - Virtual Workshop Series BRIAN KON Virtual Workshop Sat 14 Nov, 10-11am Born in the heart of the Métis Homeland (Winnipeg, Manitoba) Brian moved to Niagara Falls, ON in 1996, where he continues to live today as an active member of Niagara’s Indigenous community....Continue reading

FREE VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS for the community! Registration is encouraged but not required. The first 30 people to register for any of the workshops will receive a complimentary canvas board and paints. Navigating the Waters of Indigenous Art - Virtual Workshop Series...Continue reading

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Celebration of Nations are pleased to present three accomplished Niagara artists who will lead participants on a journey Navigating the Waters of Indigenous Art. Brian Kon, Jill Lunn and Clayton Samuel King will each lead a free virtual workshop where they will share their art and provide their unique and personal perspectives of caring for Turtle Island and the water we all share. The first of three workshops begins on Sat 14 Nove...mber at 10am with Brian Kon. These workshops are FREE for the community. Registration is encouraged but not required. The first 30 people to register for any of the workshops will receive a complimentary canvas board and paints. These packages will be available the day prior to each workshop via curbside pick-up at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Click here for more details: Navigating the Waters of Indigenous Art - Brian Kon