Thursday November 22


THEATRE | DANCE


Be A Babe
by Cherish Violet Blood

Featured at 2-Spirit Cabaret 2017, Cherish returns with her powerful solo piece for this year’s Weesageechak.

Dramaturg: Alanis King

Cherish Violet Blood from the Blood Reserve, Blackfoot Confederacy, Alberta living in Toronto, is a professionally trained and seasoned performer with active followings in the national Indigenous and international theatre community. An actor, storyteller, comedian, activist, and Blackfoot woman, she enjoys traditional hand drumming and contemporary singing. Select credits include: creator/performer in Material Witness (Spiderwoman Theatre La Mama, NYC); creator/performer in Making Treaty 7; lead role in Deer Woman by Tara Beagan.


Land of Many Waters
by Nyda Kwasowsky

In exploring the physical body, we uncover emotional states related to our identity. The examined self is a holistic understanding of the intertwined worlds of our existence to uncover common ground. How do our personal stories, experiences, and identities connect us? 

Land of Many Waters shares movement vocabulary which explores Kwasowsky’s journey as a mixed race woman. Through a harmony of dance improvisation, spoken word, and interview clips, this multidisciplinary piece explores aspects of vulnerability, conflict, and growth intrinsic in our exploration of identity.

Choreographer/Dancer: Nyda Kwasowsky
Dramaturg: Karen Kaeja
Musician: Calvin Love
Soundtrack of Interviews: Ammarah Syed, Ty Sloane, Sahar Golshan, Dianna Gunn

Nyda Kwasowsky‘s curiosity to connect humanity lies at the core of her work. She has a background in classical technique from her studies at The National Ballet School of Canada. Nyda studied a large scope of movement vocabulary from mentors and choreographers in Montreal. She is currently based in Toronto, her native home, working with diverse companies. Recently she has been in research of a full length solo work exploring the theme of identity, which is part of her continued vision in sharing human experiences.


Romeo Igwa Juliet
by Pamela Matthews

An ongoing feud between Montague First Nations and Mayor Capulet breaks out in Torona. The Trickster tries to bring understanding and peace, abiding and abetting young Romeo and Juliet to fall deeply in love. But as usual, the Trickster goofs up, accidents happen, and things get out of control.

Writer/Director: Pamela Matthews
Dramaturg: Celeste Sansregret
Ensemble: Binaeshee-Quae Couchie-Nabigon, Waawaate Fobister, Jani Lauzon, Nick Nahwegahbow, James Dallas Smith, and Michaela Washburn

Pamela Matthews (Cree) from the Sachigo Lake First Nation is a Gemini nominated actor, director, filmmaker, producer and professor with more than thirty years of experience in the industry. As a theatre director, she has worked with various theatres across the country, including Magnus Theatre, Factory Theatre, Native Earth, Canadian Stage, CIT, Woodland Cultural Centre and Buddies in Bad Times. She has appeared on many stages, including the premiere production of Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad” at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon and the NAC. Romeo Igwa Juliet was first showcased at Weesageechak 1999.


Special Performance by Lacey Hill

Lacey Hill is an Indigenous Folk and Soul singer/songwriter From Six Nations Indian Reserve. Lacey launched her original debut album titled 528, independently in 2013.

In 2017, her sophomore album M (528 Volume II) came out. This year is a big year for Lacey – she will be featuring on various television shows an film, and playing on international stages as well as working on new upcoming projects.

Check out @musiclacey on all the Social Media for latest announcements. To download Lacey Hill music go to iTunes, Spotify.


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WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 31