Get ‘OnBeat’ with Culture Days!
After the success of Burlington Culture Days in 2017, local creative organizations, venues, professionals and businesses are again invited to host events during the ninth annual Culture Days weekend from Sept. 28 to 30, 2018.
This national initiative aims to raise awareness, provide accessibility and encourage participation and engagement in the arts and cultural life of Burlington. The City of Burlington is calling for artists and arts and cultural organizations of all types to participate in Culture Days and offer free, interactive events and activities during these days. If you would like to host a Culture Days event, register your event with Culture Days.
This year’s theme is OnBeat. Across the country, communities, organizations, and individuals are invited to participate in OnBeat by organizing drumming and/or rhythm-inspired events during Culture Days. OnBeat programming does not have to be limited to drumming. Rhythm can make its way into many different art forms and cultural practices including dance, visual arts, theatre, digital arts and storytelling.
EVENTS
Celebrating our Cultural and Indigenous Roots
Time: 9 to 4 p.m.
Location: Tourism Burlington – Visitor Information Centre (414 Locust Street).
Description: Stop by the visitor information centre and learn about the rich indigenous culture and history of the Burlington area. Take a self-guided “ON BEAT” scavenger hunt in downtown Burlington. Children or the young at heart can make their own rain stick and sample complementary refreshments.
Organizer: Tourism Burlington, www.tourismburlington.com, info@tourismburlington.com, 905-634-5594.
History of Steelpan with Dejehan Hamilton a.k.a “Luckystickz”
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Community Studio Theatre (440 Locust Street).
Description: Lecture – Caribbean Cultural Contribution. Many of us have heard the sweet melodies of the steelpan on the beaches of the Caribbean and the streets of our cities. However, many do not realize the history behind the sweet melodies that were founded from a history of oppression, pain and violence. Join Dejehan “Luckystickz” Hamilton, Canada’s first Steelpan player to graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, as we journey from the islands to Canada in this melodic black history presentation. A partnership with the Halton Black History Awareness Society.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Culture Corner – Newcomer Stories Wanted
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Main Lobby (440 Locust Street).
Description: Video Storytelling – Newcomers to Canada. Calling all Newcomers, the City’s Welcome to Burlington Team is committed to gathering feedback to improve city services that assist newcomers adjusting and being better connected to the Burlington community. We invite you to share your story with us in a privately recorded video session that may be used in the City’s diversity & inclusivity promotions. We would love to hear about your journey, your homeland and your arrival experience to date. Join us and have your say today!
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Unique Identities – Thumb Art
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Main Lobby (440 Locust Street).
Description: Hidden talent is at your fingertips – art simply has not been more fun! Create a one-of-a-kind mini masterpiece that is uniquely you. A keepsake or personalized token to share, sure to delight the young and young at heart.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Guild Demonstrations and Hands-on Activities
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington (1333 Lakeshore Road)
Description: Meet artists demonstrating woodcarving, painting, rug hooking, and other crafts and engage in some hands-on activities yourself.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, www.artgalleryofburlington.com, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, (905) 632-7796.
Notre Dame Arts Club Exhibition
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington (1333 Lakeshore Road)
Description: One day only exhibition of works by students of Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, www.artgalleryofburlington.com, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, (905) 632-7796.
heartBEATZ 2018 – Performance and Workshop
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – The Plaza (440 Locust Street).
Description: The Halton Dance Network’s presentation of heartBEATZ 2018 is a transformative event that embodies the HDN’s mandate to build community in and through dance. Local choreographer, Heather Lewis, will set an original piece on dancers collected from three communities in Halton. Invited local dance studios will showcase short works from their current repertoire. HDN’s intergenerational Travellin’ Collective will perform two pieces: Wavin’ Flag by K’naan and We Are Circling by Buffy St. Marie. Both pieces emphasize the importance of family and community. heartBEATZ will conclude with a community dance experience involving the audience and all dancers. This interactive workshop will be facilitated by Alan Faigal.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Family Fun Activities with Healthy Snacks
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington (1333 Lakeshore Road)
Description: Family fun activities with healthy snacks. *10 a.m. to noon – activities for families with toddlers. Noon to 3 p.m. – activities for families of all ages.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, www.artgalleryofburlington.com, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, (905) 632-7796.
Lecture: Indigenous History 101 with Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Community Studio Theatre (440 Locust Street).
Description: Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan will give an insightful presentation on the Indigenous history of the Burlington area before the arrival of European settlers. Her knowledge of First Nations history will help create a better foundation of awareness and understanding of both our community and all of its inhabitants. Supported by the City of Burlington’s Cultural Diversity Initiative.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Egyptian Raqs Sharki – Belly Dancing Demonstration and Workshop
Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Main Lobby (440 Locust Street).
Description: BellyUp BellyDance Studio is one of Canada’s top 3 dance studios specializing in the art of Egyptian dance both Folklore and Raqs Sharki style. BellyUp dancers will demonstrate a variety of styles utilizing the vibrant Arabic rhythms of Egypt! The event will engage the audience in the festive and celebratory nature of the dance form and offer the audience members an opportunity to learn fun new moves as well.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Ved and Friends Celebrate Diwali: South Asian Storytelling and Craft
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Community Studio Theatre (440 Locust Street).
Description: Ved and Friends Celebrate Dussehra and Diwali is a children’s book about how little Ved learns about the story behind the celebrations of the festival of Diwali. Come participate in some crafts and learn about the fascinating story of Prince Ram, Princess Sita and the monkey God Hanuman!
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
OKAN: Afro-Cuban Jazz/World Music Performance
Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – The Plaza (440 Locust Street).
Description: Blending jazz, Afro-Cuban and classical forms with world rhythms, OKAN takes inspiration from the roots of Cuban music and contributes to its contemporary evolution. Co-leaders, composers and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, incredible musicianship and potent lyrical content. Supported by the City of Burlington’s Cultural Diversity Initiative.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca/okan, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
Luckystickz Live!
Time: 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – The Plaza (440 Locust Street).
Description: Luckystickz is a singer-songwriter/recording artist and one of the premier Steelpan percussionist in Canada. He has performed and worked for Harry Belafonte, Brian Mcknight and Chili (of TLC). Music has given Luckystickz the opportunity to perform internationally in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the United States, and throughout Canada. Luckystickz released his debut E.P. Every Day Battle in 2017 which features his hit single “Magic”. A partnership with the Halton Black History Awareness Society.
Organizer: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, www.burlingtonpac.ca/luckystickz, bpac@burlington.ca, 905-681-6000.
