AHHH Yes, the tour continues.
This week we had quite the adventure traveling across the province.
Our first stop was spending two days in Kelvington. Before I begin, I have to tell you all that, as the tour manager, it is my job to organize and co-ordinate places to stay, routes taken, and travel times, etc. The admin part of my job is done partially before the tour begins, and partially on the road. So arriving in Kelvington Sunday night, at our prearranged B&B about 15 min outside town, I was eager to settle in after a long drive, and get to playing cards with my fellow artists and friends. We were greeted by a very friendly dog. From the dark prairie night a truck, from what looked like the main house, came driving up. I will call him Jeb, because I never did catch his name. Jeb crawled out of his beat up farm truck, and just stood there silently with his lights on me. I have a habit of being the first person to break the ice in most conversations, because I have never understood awkwardness in common interaction. So, as I approached and said, with my hand extended, "Good evening, I'm Leon from the Cultural exchange..." , he didn't move. Now, I am one to pick up on body language, and most people have a vibration I can read. Jeb's was hostile. I further said we were "here for the B&B". That's when I noticed the gun. I have never had a gun-to-artist conversation before. I don't know what he thought, our van clearly states 'Art For Everyone', so he must have known he was invited. Perhaps if Michelle could have jumped out of the van, leading us in a perfectly synchronized rendition of Michael Jackson's Thriller, he would have joined in. I then heard the first mumbles from Jeb, something about "not knowin anythin bout it", and "whod ya talk ta". I was concentrating on his gun, and his overly friendly dog. I mentioned his wife's name, and his demeanor changed from hostile, to confused and frustrated. He put the gun away in his truck, and told me to follow him into the house. I learned later, that my friends in the van were wondering if I was being killed, and they were trying to decide who would go in the house, and retrieve the van keys. Jeb showed me around the B&B, and told me that because his wife hadn't cleaned the place, and prepared it for us, that it was not available. I tried to suggest a few linens, and if he could do the dishes we would be fine. I explained the money we were ready to part with, but because his wife was not there it was impossible. I saw he had arms, and a basic understanding of what was missing in his B&B for us to use. He did have a penis though, and maybe that is what stopped him. I always try. Even with strange, uneven farmers, I always try. So we were without a place to stay in rural Kelvington at 8pm on a Sunday night.
I explained to the team what happened and we would try our best back in town. Driving back into Kelvington, I was thinking about all the little big towns I kind-of-know in the area of Kelvington. There really is not very many. Our fortune was with us when we drove into the roadside motel, on the opposite side of town. The owner was able to get us our own rooms, and for the two nights we needed. Kelly was especially segregated from the rest of us for reasons only Kelly knows, but for the most part our little taxidermy mottled motel was perfect. Oh, and as for the workshops, the kids thought we were awesome.
Langham school is just outside of Saskatoon. With a quick jaunt we were there. The staff were easy to talk with, and the students, though "rangy" as Ann likes to say, were good. The community just had a incident of molestation occur, and although charges were laid the wounds were still fresh. There is a lot of this going on, and the more people I meet, the more stories I hear. Perhaps, some of the fundamental Christian groups I met along the way, could put their energy into stopping this kind of behaviour, rather than trying to prevent Halloween. Ninja Turtles vs Molestation. Just a thought.
Balgonie was awesome. The ages and participants were a great, and the staff was cool and collected. I am glad to see some diversity in these schools. In my years doing this tour some of these bedroom communities can get a little bleached. There were some great ideas floating around that school. I felt we just added to their programs, and were able to share some ideas with staff. It was a real exchange.
Finally there was Punnichy, about an hour north east of Regina. I drive pretty quick. This is first school anywhere that I have visited, that says dinner instead of lunch. I will explain. When asking about a pre-arranged, pot-luck lunch the staff said, "oh yes! We will have dinner for you in the staff room". I said, "sorry?" She said, "Dinner is in the staff room". I happen to have a published writer in my motley crew of artists, and she happened be the author of 'The Saskatchewan Book Of Everything' which does document this phenomenon. I have never heard of this before. Neither had the rest of my team, with the exception of Kelly. I said with great enthusiasm, "Oh! You say dinner instead of lunch! That is awesome, what do you say for dinner?...I mean supper?" Supper, one of them said, dryly. They are very serious in Punnichy. I apologized immediately, and explained I was not making fun, but I had never heard anyone use dinner in place of lunch. They said that they have always heard it that way. Maybe that's where the word 'Diner' comes from. As in, I'm going to have lunch at the Diner. Anyway, we rounded off our week there with some great teachers, and smart students.
Thanks Punnichy. Hope to see you for dinner again.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Week 2
First day we found ourselves well rested after a great Thanksgiving weekend, and raring to go. Montmartre is a french name meaning "mountain of the martyr". It even has an Eiffel Tower. We found out rather quickly that the school had a great staff, and the students were very eager. The Cultural Exchange has been to Montmartre every year for 15+ years, and the kids really look forward to us. I noticed as well, with the proximity to Regina, that most of the kids had a broader understanding of the different art forms. They asked questions, had innovative ideas, and were generally creative students.
Next we went to Bethune, another early morning for us. This school was a real treat for me, I had never been, and many of the students had never been exposed to our brand of art. I was greeted by the principal, and was welcomed into the staff room by all the teachers. We had a fun time there and the students were filled with questions about what we do. Two stories that I will share, that came out of Bethune, were The Tale Of The Evil Doers and The Lost Cable. The first time the Exchange came to Bethune, there was no recognizable, emblem-plastered artist van. As a result, the artists that year were in a dark blank van. Driving through the town looking at sights, waving at children, many Bethunians grew suspicious. Gossip rustled through the small conservative town like a bad wind. Strangers were in town. From the whisperers and lookie loos, a sinister rumour was created. Police were called, the school was shut down, parents were notified, and the evil doers were going to be apprehended. Luckily the principal, realizing the panic was unfounded, called off the watch dogs, and let the authorities know that these were artists on a tour from the city, and they were not stealing children, but showing them the free expressions of art.
The second story arose when our film artist forgot a small, but essential cord at a school. I had to go and pick it up a few days later in the north end of Regina. The fun started when I was told that my courier was going to a bachelorette party, and that is where I should meet her. When I arrived, my liaison was not there yet, and being an outgoing person, I introduced myself, and asked if this was the Bachelorette party. I suppose I could have asked a different question, or worded things differently, because the smiles that came across the faces of those women had me feeling like a piece of chocolate. I have been in many productions where I have taken my clothes off, so I......... just kidding. I have to say though, the person I was meeting came just in time.
The last 2 days of the week were in Moose Jaw. Two different schools with very different needs. Lindale School has a great academic program with some extra curricular dance offered, but no substantial art program. I feel the Acting, Film and Writing was the biggest hit for the students. I also feel we gave Lindale some cross over ideas to implement these art forms in the classroom setting. Again, the staff and students were fantastic. Empire School is the oldest continuous school in Saskatchewan. Meaning it has never been anything else. The students were diverse in ethnicity and background. This did sometimes present a higher energy class, and did require a special focus on our part, but over all that school has come a long way from its rougher past. I have met a lot of teachers, and I always find that out of say 100, there are always a couple of teachers that should not be there. This is hard to say because I love teaching, and the teachers that I have met from across Canada work tirelessly to shape and inspire people of all ages. There is a teacher at Empire that should not be there. That class was the most unfocused, undisciplined, and ultimately underachieving class I have seen. It is always fascinating to hear students say "I wish we had more structure because I'm not learning anything". I hope the students can keep their heads up and learn from the other teachers, because they are outstanding.
Next we went to Bethune, another early morning for us. This school was a real treat for me, I had never been, and many of the students had never been exposed to our brand of art. I was greeted by the principal, and was welcomed into the staff room by all the teachers. We had a fun time there and the students were filled with questions about what we do. Two stories that I will share, that came out of Bethune, were The Tale Of The Evil Doers and The Lost Cable. The first time the Exchange came to Bethune, there was no recognizable, emblem-plastered artist van. As a result, the artists that year were in a dark blank van. Driving through the town looking at sights, waving at children, many Bethunians grew suspicious. Gossip rustled through the small conservative town like a bad wind. Strangers were in town. From the whisperers and lookie loos, a sinister rumour was created. Police were called, the school was shut down, parents were notified, and the evil doers were going to be apprehended. Luckily the principal, realizing the panic was unfounded, called off the watch dogs, and let the authorities know that these were artists on a tour from the city, and they were not stealing children, but showing them the free expressions of art.
The second story arose when our film artist forgot a small, but essential cord at a school. I had to go and pick it up a few days later in the north end of Regina. The fun started when I was told that my courier was going to a bachelorette party, and that is where I should meet her. When I arrived, my liaison was not there yet, and being an outgoing person, I introduced myself, and asked if this was the Bachelorette party. I suppose I could have asked a different question, or worded things differently, because the smiles that came across the faces of those women had me feeling like a piece of chocolate. I have been in many productions where I have taken my clothes off, so I......... just kidding. I have to say though, the person I was meeting came just in time.
The last 2 days of the week were in Moose Jaw. Two different schools with very different needs. Lindale School has a great academic program with some extra curricular dance offered, but no substantial art program. I feel the Acting, Film and Writing was the biggest hit for the students. I also feel we gave Lindale some cross over ideas to implement these art forms in the classroom setting. Again, the staff and students were fantastic. Empire School is the oldest continuous school in Saskatchewan. Meaning it has never been anything else. The students were diverse in ethnicity and background. This did sometimes present a higher energy class, and did require a special focus on our part, but over all that school has come a long way from its rougher past. I have met a lot of teachers, and I always find that out of say 100, there are always a couple of teachers that should not be there. This is hard to say because I love teaching, and the teachers that I have met from across Canada work tirelessly to shape and inspire people of all ages. There is a teacher at Empire that should not be there. That class was the most unfocused, undisciplined, and ultimately underachieving class I have seen. It is always fascinating to hear students say "I wish we had more structure because I'm not learning anything". I hope the students can keep their heads up and learn from the other teachers, because they are outstanding.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Our First Week
So our tour begins. This week we went up North to Buffalo Narrows, to start our teaching. I have never been there. I have to say that the landscape is unique. Sand dunes and fresh water lakes dot the landscape, and with the poplar trees in their mid autumn turn, the colours are beautiful. The school staff was generous, and many of them were very proud of their school. It is a sad note to say that the elementary schools are busting at the seams up north, but by the time the students get to high school the drop-out rate is more than 60%. It is not for lack of trying, these teachers are at times everything to their students; mentor, friend, sometimes parent. I am not sure how much of an impact we made on them as Artists in their community, but they were intrigued and asked a lot of questions. I get the impression, that for many students, professional artists, are something so outside their day to day life, that to make a living at it, we come from some kind of privilege that they don't have. I hope they got from us that the voice of the North is beautiful, and asked for, and needed. That this Art thing we do is not for others it is for them.
Next, we then traveled to Ile A La Crosse. I can say that the students and teachers there are such a strong force in the community. The way this school is run is outstanding. The students have excellent facilities and now all they need are more teachers. As funding budgets are tightened arts programming is usually the first to go. Art has a less tangible impact on the life of a student and so the justification moves along. The elementary students have enthusiasm and are very eager to see us, our presence is like a breath of air in a tight space. They have a room full of instruments, with no one to teach them.
Off to La Ronge next, and after a 4 hour drive through the winding dirt roads, we arrived. I have always liked La Ronge. It is a bigger centre with more opportunities for the whole community. The social problems are less apparent, and the Drop-out rates are a little less. I asked some of the kids why they dropped out and their answers were surprising. The normal answers were to work to help support my family. When they said because they really didn't need it to make money I was surprised. It reminded me of the old west, farm kids, ranchers, it was as though the need to be educated, past some basic level, was inapplicable. Money was the focus and jobs were there for the taking. I found it very helpful for myself to be forced to explain the practical applications of Art in the working world. The dialogue was useful for everyone. I feel sometimes we as artists can become insulated in our own bubble, and forget, that 90% of people out in the world, are not artists and have no idea what we do. I think this kind of perspective forces us to articulate, in a concise manner, why what we do is important or relevant at all.
I am thrilled for this next coming week.
Next, we then traveled to Ile A La Crosse. I can say that the students and teachers there are such a strong force in the community. The way this school is run is outstanding. The students have excellent facilities and now all they need are more teachers. As funding budgets are tightened arts programming is usually the first to go. Art has a less tangible impact on the life of a student and so the justification moves along. The elementary students have enthusiasm and are very eager to see us, our presence is like a breath of air in a tight space. They have a room full of instruments, with no one to teach them.
Off to La Ronge next, and after a 4 hour drive through the winding dirt roads, we arrived. I have always liked La Ronge. It is a bigger centre with more opportunities for the whole community. The social problems are less apparent, and the Drop-out rates are a little less. I asked some of the kids why they dropped out and their answers were surprising. The normal answers were to work to help support my family. When they said because they really didn't need it to make money I was surprised. It reminded me of the old west, farm kids, ranchers, it was as though the need to be educated, past some basic level, was inapplicable. Money was the focus and jobs were there for the taking. I found it very helpful for myself to be forced to explain the practical applications of Art in the working world. The dialogue was useful for everyone. I feel sometimes we as artists can become insulated in our own bubble, and forget, that 90% of people out in the world, are not artists and have no idea what we do. I think this kind of perspective forces us to articulate, in a concise manner, why what we do is important or relevant at all.
I am thrilled for this next coming week.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Tour 2011
Hello all, and welcome to another exciting tour in beautiful Saskatchewan.
Workshop tour artists for tour 2011
Adam Willey - singer/songwriter on tour, leading the Music Workshop. Adam performs, is a sound engineer and a music teacher. His workshop will allow youth to explore the use of poetic language while developing songs through a group process.
Kelly-Anne Riess - best known for her authorship of the "Saskatchewan Book of Everything" writer Kelly-Anne has just completed her first feature film script and returns to the WorkshopTouras Writer on Tour. Kelly-Anne's workshop will allow students to use narrative to envision and set life goals for themselves. This workshop is adaptable to all grades.
Ann Verrall - an award winning short film-maker (www.shortworksproductions.ca) splits her time between the east coast and the Saskatchewan plains. Ann's workshop will provide the students with an opportunity to develop a script, block a scene and for the older students shoot the scene. The Cultural Exchange is pleased to offer Saskatchewan schools this opportunity to work with a film -maker. Ann joins the tour after an intense two weeks in Sandy Bay and Hall Lake, creating community based video.
Leon Willey - Fresh from an exciting season with Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Leon is Workshop Tour Manager, and Theatre leader. Leon will use his workshop to bring to the students "the joy that is theatre". Depending on the age of the students he will explore the use of movement and voices to depict a story. The use of emotional context, motivation, objectives and relationships will be taught as techniques to tell the story and get to the heart of a scene. www.leonwilley.com
Michelle Fisher -brings her enthusiasm for all types of dance to the Workshop Tour as the Dancer on Tour. Students will experience a variety of dance styles ranging from square dance to hip hop. Watch as your students become animals or hunters and express the excitement of the hunt through dance. Students will try the traditional steps of the square dance and then move on to the non traditional moves of hip hop.
I will be adding photos and info as the tour begins. So until then see you in Oct.
Workshop tour artists for tour 2011
Adam Willey - singer/songwriter on tour, leading the Music Workshop. Adam performs, is a sound engineer and a music teacher. His workshop will allow youth to explore the use of poetic language while developing songs through a group process.
Kelly-Anne Riess - best known for her authorship of the "Saskatchewan Book of Everything" writer Kelly-Anne has just completed her first feature film script and returns to the WorkshopTouras Writer on Tour. Kelly-Anne's workshop will allow students to use narrative to envision and set life goals for themselves. This workshop is adaptable to all grades.
Ann Verrall - an award winning short film-maker (www.shortworksproductions.ca) splits her time between the east coast and the Saskatchewan plains. Ann's workshop will provide the students with an opportunity to develop a script, block a scene and for the older students shoot the scene. The Cultural Exchange is pleased to offer Saskatchewan schools this opportunity to work with a film -maker. Ann joins the tour after an intense two weeks in Sandy Bay and Hall Lake, creating community based video.
Leon Willey - Fresh from an exciting season with Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Leon is Workshop Tour Manager, and Theatre leader. Leon will use his workshop to bring to the students "the joy that is theatre". Depending on the age of the students he will explore the use of movement and voices to depict a story. The use of emotional context, motivation, objectives and relationships will be taught as techniques to tell the story and get to the heart of a scene. www.leonwilley.com
Michelle Fisher -brings her enthusiasm for all types of dance to the Workshop Tour as the Dancer on Tour. Students will experience a variety of dance styles ranging from square dance to hip hop. Watch as your students become animals or hunters and express the excitement of the hunt through dance. Students will try the traditional steps of the square dance and then move on to the non traditional moves of hip hop.
I will be adding photos and info as the tour begins. So until then see you in Oct.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
The End
AAAAH, the end!
So long everybody, until next year.
This 2010 tour was a success. Five great artists, that all got along without incident, taught over 375 workshops in 15 towns over the course of 26 days. With 6000 kilometers travelled in our SCES Tour Van, and well over 5000 students and faculty affected, the most important aspect of the Cultural Exchange was met.
I had the pleasure of getting to know the four terrific artists on this tour - Melissa Nygren, Carol Morin, Kelly- Anne Riess and Evans Bamwesigye- and was thrilled to see how each of them grew as artists. I feel very fortunate to have spent the six weeks with them, and now consider them my friends.
I think it's safe to say that every one of us will walk away with our own special memories - weather bombs and Kandahar included. We each had a favourite school, class, community or incident, and will take these memories with us into the future.
Below is one of MY favourite memories:
So long everybody, until next year.
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