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Indigenous Performance Initiatives (IPI) and the Department of Indigenous Studies Present The Gaia Chronicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weaverbird Collective to Perform New Work-in-Progress at
Trent University November 6, 7 & 8

Wednesday, November 4, 2009, Peterborough

Text Box:  Indigenous Performance Initiatives is pleased to welcome the Peterborough-based performing arts collective, the Weaverbird Collective, to Nozhem: First Peoples Performance Space stage where they will perform their new works-in-progress, The Gaia Chronicles, on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m.

The Gaia Chronicles comes to Nozhem: First Peoples Performance Space at Trent University following a one night sneak peek at Market Hall. Admission is by donation. Guests are asked to reserve tickets by calling (705) 748-1011 x7906.

This captivating new work is based on three ancient stories from Venezuela, Greenland, and Cree First Nation. It tells the real lived experiences of women, re-imagining these long told stories in a contemporary setting, reflecting on women’s lives today.

In this inter-cultural theatrical performance, the Weaverbird Collective wishes to challenge the image of the woman as solely a muse or demon by incorporating the real lived, shared, but often silenced stories of women in our surrounding community. "Gaia" struggles to retrieve her earthliness, simplicity, grit, beauty, and humanity, demanding a world free of violence and oppression.

The Weaverbird Collective is a cross-cultural performing arts group that has emerged onto the Peterborough scene in a very short time. The collective is founded on the belief that voicing the silenced but real lived experiences of women is essential to creating safe and sustainable communities, free of violence. Through performance arts, the collective communicates, celebrates, and honours the strength and courage of women, mothers and grandmothers as life givers in our communities.

The Gaia Chronicles cast includes Collective founders: Naja Graugaard (Denmark), Swelen Andari (Venezuela), and Karyn Drane (Cree, from Saskatoon, Toronto and Peterborough), each an actress and writer on this project and Andrew Morrison (Iqaluit, Nunavut), a composer and musician (guitar and percussion). Joining these artists on stage will be musician Anna Tennent-Riddell (flute, marimba, percussion). Sarah Weinberger will be stage manager.

The Indigenous Performance Initiatives collective gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Arts Council, the Department of Indigenous Studies, Trent University, and Public Energy.

Nozhem: First Peoples Performance Space is located in the lower level of Enweying at Peter Gzowski College on the east bank of Trent University’s Symons Campus.

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For more information, please contact:
Faith Lahey-McCoy, Trent University, 705-748-1011 x7906