Racism and Cultural Appropriation in the Arts: Screening, Workshop, and Panel with Simone Blais

On March 24-25 2021, Vancouver Short Film Festival is partnering with the CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers for our first event in the VSFF On The Road series:

Racism and Cultural Appropriation in the Arts: Screening, Workshop, and Panel with Simone Blais

~ ~ ~

Wednesday March 24th / 6:30pm via ZOOM
Short Documentary Screening and Discussion with Simone Blais
In this workshop, watch the 30 minute film Dance Like Everybody’s Watching, which explores the lives of Black dancers in Victoria, BC (Songhees, Esquimalt, W̱SÁNEĆ territories). After this private viewing, participate in a facilitated discussion with the director and other participants. This is the perfect opportunity for people looking to work though themes of cultural appropriation and inclusion in the dance community and is ideal for artists and non-artists of any background. If you are interested in community-building and anti-racism, this workshop is for you!

REGISTER VIA GOOGLE FORMS: https://forms.gle/V89FDvUwyrxsR8cE9

~ ~ ~

Thursday March 25th / 6:30pm via Facebook Live
Filmmaker Panel featuring Peruzzo, Andy Hodgson, Adhel Arop
Moderated by Simone Blais, this panel will further the conversation begun in the screening and workshop, and explore the intersection of these themes with the work and career of local filmmakers.

ACCESS ON MARCH 25TH VIA FACEBOOK LIVE: https://www.facebook.com/events/2632082723748643/

~ ~ ~

Simone Blais is a dancer, doula, director and aspiring midwife. She is a recent UVic Gender Studies graduate whose work focuses on decolonizing the dance community and reproductive justice for marginalized communities. In the past 5 years, she has worked with the Nesting Doula Collective, and the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, delivering workshops about reproductive justice. She is also the director and producer of the documentary Dance Like Everybody’s Watching, which highlights the experiences of Black dancers in ‘Victoria’. Find about more at simone-blais.com About Dance Like Everybody’s Watching: Dance Like Everybody’s Watching follows three Black dancers in Victoria, BC as they expose their worlds of flamenco, hip hop, and dancehall. While the dancers grapple with racism, tokenism, and stereotypes, we are reminded that dance is always political. This short film deals with themes of cultural appropriation in dance and is uniquely a BC production. 100% of the production, cast and crew are based in Victoria, BC. Dance Like Everybody’s Watching is funded by Storyhive and Creative BC.

About VSFF On The Road: The Vancouver Short Film Festival is excited to announce VSFF ON THE ROAD: an online event series connecting filmmakers across the province while staying apart. Sponsored by Creative BC. VSFF is proud to partner with film organizations province-wide and connect with communities outside of Vancouver as we create unique educational and professional development opportunities for filmmaking in British Columbia.

Noble Oak – Live Stream Virtual Tour

Noble Oak performs 4 live-streamed concerts from October 6th – 9th, hosted on Facebook Live by 4 different venues across Canada.
October 6: Victoria – Capital Ballroom @capitalballrm
October 7: Vancouver – Biltmore @biltmorecabaret
October 8: Winnipeg – The Garrick @thegarrickwinnipeg
October 9: Toronto – Adelaide Hall @adelaidehallTO

Judy Brown Take 2 – New Year New Gear New Music

Join us for our live music streaming concert this Saturday at 5pm PST / 8pm EST. You’ll hear harmony-rich country, folk and blues music featuring singer-songwriter Judy Brown on guitar, vocals and harmonica. Joining her will be special guest Donny Walker on guitar, vocals and percussion. Thanks to support from Creative BC.

Judy Brown is a Canadian roots music singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose musical journey began in Edmonton before moving to Toronto to perform at top Toronto clubs and festivals. Recently relocating to Nelson, she finds herself surrounded by Nelson’s rich and supportive arts community. In 2018 she released “Say It”, her debut album recorded in Toronto with long time award winning musical friends, collaborators and producers Gary Kendall and Teddy Leonard. Judy continues to perform across Canada with her Kootenay based band and her Ontario recording band. Her song “Roberta” was nominated for a 2019 Kootenay Music Award.

Don Walker is a veteran drummer, strummer and singer with extensive experience touring with Royalty Recording Artists Gustafson, Fjellgaard, Fustukian, Honky Tonk Heroes, Wilf Carter, Al Cherney, Lionel Rault and many more. Music took Don to over 100 countries, living in the USA and Europe before returning to BC to play with Vancouver and Nelson based bands including Rob Rowan, Roxy, Rippin’ Rattlers, Alan Kirk, Son of John, Holly and Jon and The Judy Brown Band.

Lozen: Goal Digger (Album Release) Live Show

A Facebook Live stream from “Temple of Lozen” performing her Goal Digger album in it’s entirety. Listeners will be offered a hybrid musical experience blending both acoustic, unplugged, and electronic versions of the songs. Lozen will also be sharing in depth backstories behind the making of the record, followed by a Q&A period and a handcrafted Lozen Mandala Pendant Necklace giveaway.

Songs from the Heart with Shawn Bullshields

Shawn Bullshields is a singer, guitarist and harmonica player with natural charisma and professional delivery. His repertoire of songs include the genres of pop, country and folk: the point where they intersect is through his masterful singing voice. Shawn commands instant attention because his voice conveys the truth, beauty and deep meaning within each song, expressed with the full weight of his personal life experience. Shawn sings from the heart and each song is truly a gift.

Photo credit Len Grinke Photography www,grinkecreative.com