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| Last updated at 8:32 AM on 02/05/08 |
Cross-culture celebration 
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council adds international spice to annual awards show
HEIDI WICKS
Special to The Telegram
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From Afghani, Thai, Indian, Japanese or Greek fare to traditionally downhome Mac 'n' Doo at Get Stuffed on Water, the food scene in St. John's has become an explosive mesh of worldly tang and Newfoundland staple dishes. Toutons are served with a hint of curry-cinnamon, fish and brewis with ginger root.
The local arts scene has followed the trend - if it didn't start it - embracing artists from all over the globe to expand and enlighten local products. Locals inspire internationals, and vice versa. The theme Weaving Our Culture is reflected in this year's Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) awards show, happening Saturday evening at the Reid Theatre, in Memorial University's Arts and Administration Building.
Danielle Irvine is directing and producing this year's show.
"My grandfather is 97 years old now, and when he was young, Water Street was always sort of an international hub," she says, explaining her inspiration for the show's international theme. "People stopping here from around the world, or stopping here on their way somewhere, are always going to bring a piece of away to here, and a piece of home away, to join together to inform each other and making each other richer."
Irvine believes that the oil and gas industry, along with international university students, are creating a resurgence of that intercontinental meeting point.
"It's beautiful to watch," she continues, "because there's been an increased appreciation of our own culture, but intermingled with it are all these other homegrown cultures that have become part of ours."
The evening will be hosted by Neil Butler and Deidre Gillard-Rowlings, and includes performances by the Nipik Inuit Drummers, Dzolali African Drum and Dance Ensemble, along with internationally inspired artists like Shelley Neville, a soprano who has been performing in Italy, and Mary Dalton, a poet whose writings are Newfoundland-inspired.
Reg Winsor, executive director of the NLAC, says the
show has grown drastically since 1984, when the awards were a small dinner party.
"We moved it then to the LSPU Hall with about 140 people, where we did a live show that was broadcast on CBC," he explains, "and then about five years ago we made the move to Reid. It's grown now to the point where the theatre (420 capacity) is filled every time we do the show."
The production value has also increased, going from a show that was specifically made for television, to a cabaret spectacle a live audience can soak in. While at one time the entire show was broadcast live, this year will see a half-hour recap show televised (May 20, 8 p.m., on CBC).
Another way the show has evolved is by moving it to other parts of the province. Last year was the first time Corner Brook hosted the event.
"Council has agreed to move the show outside St. John's every two years," Winsor says. "Next year, we're hoping to have Happy Valley-Goose Bay host the show.
"When we did our public consultation two years ago, the big consensus we got was to move it around the province," he adds. "So when we got our increase in the budget, we agreed that taking it on the road was one thing we'd definitely do."
Winsor says the success rate of the program outside the capital is equally grand. Corner Brook's show last year sold out the more than 400 seats of the Arts and Culture Centre a week in advance - an indicator of the strong support Newfoundlanders and Labradorians feel for the arts.
Tickets for the show are $20 and may be purchased at the NLAC office, 1 Springdale St., Proceeds will go to the CAPE Fund (Artists Emergency Fund).
Nominees
Artist of the Year 2007
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02/05/08
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Me from Newfoundland writes: First sentence - Get Stuffed is on Duckworth, not Water. Also, what does traditionally downhome Mac 'n' Doo mean? I am quite positive that whatever it is, it is not a traditional Newfoundland dish. The phrase downhome in itself, is a Nova Scotia one. Which would explain why the Downhomer was started by someone who is not from NL.
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| Posted 02/05/2008 at 11:25 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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