“One of the most exciting events of the Native Earth Performing Arts season is the Weesageechak Begins To Dance Festival, which turns 27 this year…Look for work by Monique Mojica, Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan, Keith Barker, Cliff Cardinal, Tantoo Cardinal, Daniel David Moses, Drew Hayden Taylor, Ken T. Williams and others. That’s a lot of talent.”
“Giiwedin (The North Wind), blends Baroque and traditional Indigenous music and aesthetics. It was written and cocomposed by librettist Spy DénomméWelch, an Aboriginal education consultant at Laurier, and Catherine Magowan. Written in Anishnaabemowin, French and English, and set in Northeastern Ontario, Giiwedin tells the story of NoodinKwe, a 150yearold Aboriginal woman, and her struggle to protect her ancestral land.
“‘This production offers a unique opportunity to our students to engage with First Nations history and culture, most of them for the very first time,’ said Professor Kimberly Barber, administrative coordinator of Opera at Laurier. ‘It also allows us to tell an important and mostly untold story about first contact and its impacts and implications in a way that is both accessible and theatrically intense, while allowing students to collaborate with the Aboriginal community.'”
“The Aradia Ensemble presents an innovate concert that features 5-minute works for baroque instruments by contemporary Canadian composers, selected through a competitive process – and the “winning” composer will be invited to write a longer work for Aradia in a future season. The ten composers taking part are: Ian McAndrew, Rose Bolton, Taylor Brook, Catherine Magowan & Spy Dénommé-Welch, Scott Maynard, Chris Meyer, Dustin Peters, Ronald Royer, Caitlin Smith, and Kevin Mallon.”
“Marion’s season so far has included … the lead role of Noodin-Kwe in the world premiere run of Giiwedin, a first Nations opera by Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan.”
“2010 Dora Award Nominees for New musical or opera: The Children’s Crusade; The Princess & the Handmaiden; RobinHood, The Environmental Family Musical; Giiwedin; Mimi.”
