Cultural Showcase - River Landing Amphitheatre
The Cultural Showcase will be held at the River Landing Amphitheatre between 5:00 and 9:30 pm each night (Friday and Saturday). This venue will feature a line-up of some of Saskatoon's most talented cultural performers, representing a host of different influences that make up the diverse fabric of Saskatoon.The showcase is free of charge and food vendors will be set up nearby where you can purchase food and beverages.
The River Landing venue is a great place to catch the fireworks which are set off at 9:30 pm both nights (Friday & Saturday).
The Cultural Showcase is persented by Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation and supported by Community Initiatives Fund.
Friday, September 2nd
5:15 - Scottish Country Dancers
5:45 - German Junior Folk Dancers
6:15 - Espiritu Mediterraneo Dancers
6:45 - Stephen Maguire
7:15 - Living Sky Taiko
7:45 - Dallas Boyer
8:15 - Eileen Laverty
8:45 - Oriental Dance Arts
9:10 - "Connections" - Directed by James Hodges
9:30 - FIREWORKS!
Saturday, September 3rd
5:15 - Saskatoon Highland Dancers
5:45 - Blakey School of Irish Dance
6:15 - Hoop Dancer Lawrence Roy Jr.
6:45 - Stephen Maguire
7:15 - India School of Dance
7:45 - Alma Flamenca
8:15 - Kumintang Folk Dance Ensemble
8:45 - def SOL
9:10 - "Connections" - Directed by James Hodges
9:30 - FIREWORKS!
Performer Bio's
Alma Flamenca -
In Spain, people live, breath and adore flamenco...for some it the most precious style of Spanish music and dance. Kari Alba "la aceitunita" , artistic director of Alma Flamenca, is pleased to perform at the PotashCorp Fireworks Festival Cultural Showcase, and share her most recent collection of choreographic works with captivating artistic expression and stunning elaborate costumes. The performance will feature Saskatoon's own Flamenco group Alma Flamenca; consiting of 5 dancers, from all different backgrounds ranging from the seasoned professional to the passionate amateur. They will be accompanied by the flamenco guitar of Alberto Ciofani and Cajón percussionist Jóse Antonio Fuenzalida.
Blakey School of Irish Dance
The Blakey Saskatoon School of Irish Dance is under the Direction of Luanne Schlosser T.C.R.G. The dancers have performed at various events including performances with the Chieftains, Natalie McMaster, the Irish Descendants, and various charity fundraisers. In addition to performing, the dancers have been successful in competition, competing at regional competitions and often represent Saskatchewan at the World Championships, All?Ireland Championships and North American Championships. The dancers at the Blakey Saskatoon School of Irish Dance have worked to achieve a skilled presentation of traditional Irish step dance as well as a brilliant interpretation of contemporary world vision demonstrating that Irish dance is progressive.
"Connections" - Dance Project Performance Company. James Hodges, performance creative producer
Connections is a site-specific performance art work designed to calibrate the relationships of motion, a river landing and exploding light. This is performed over three movements along the river bank leading into a sky-filled fire works display.
Eileen Laverty-
Known for delivering heart-rendering ballads, Eileen Laverty has performed across Canada and Ireland entertaining all ages with her upbeat messages, strong vocals, and heartfelt lyrics. She has toured with internationally renowned artists Mary Black, John McDermott, and Kenny Rogers. Her track record also includes a Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Roots Recording, several songwriting accolades, and numerous radio and television appearances. To date, Eileen has released two independent CDs which continue to draw praise at home and abroad, and plans are underway for a new recording. Her music is featured in film and television programs, and appears on several compilation CDs celebrating Canadian folk music. CBC has written, “Laverty’s charismatic attitude combined with her soulful sound has her ranked among the elite of Canadian Folk singers.” Please visit www.EileenLaverty.com and join Facebook.com/EileenLavertyMusic.
Espiritu Mediterraneo Dancers-
Espiritu Mediterraneo Dancers are a community orientated dance group dedicated to promoting the dance rhythms of Arabic countries bordering the Mediterranean. The group performs regularly for Folkfest and Canada Day Celebrations, as well as for a variety of community based events linked to Saskatchewan Intercultural Association.
German Junior Folk Dancers
Colourful and lively, this dance group performs throughout the province and has become a tradition at multicultural festivals throughout the summer, including at the much loved Folkfest here in Saskatoon. Their costumes represent traditional dress from North and ?northcentral? Germany, and the dances they will perform tonight have been handed down through the centuries in Europe to keep alive the tradition of folk dancing. Some of them they even learned on our recent trip to Germany and Austria. The dancers are happy to be a part of the Fireworks Festival again this year and hope youenjoy their performance.
For more information about us check out our website: http://www.germanjuniorfolkdancers.ca/
Living Sky Taiko-
After forming in early 2009, Living Sky Taiko has developed into Saskatoon's first taiko performance group. Taiko means "drum" in Japanese, and this modern performance art uses traditional drums to combine rhythm, movement, colour, and voice, accented by splashing gongs and bells, and visceral bass tones from the large drums. The group's members are excited to present this engaging artform, and provide opportunities for the public to take part. Through workshops and classes, Living Sky has introduced dozens of Saskatonians to the exciting feel of taiko, and through performances, thousands more to its sound.
Oriental Dance Arts-
Oriental Dance Arts of Saskatoon, formed in the mid-1980's, explores and celebrates some of the dances and culture of the Middle East, Near East, and Asia Minor. This group embraces the multicultural diversity of dance from these eastern regions, while developing exciting new ways to present these dance arts to western audiences
Saskatoon Highland Dancing Association-
The Saskatoon Highland Dancing Association was formed in 1954 and exists to promote the art of Highland Dancing and the Scottish culture of its origin. The SHDA brings a wee bit of Scotland to Saskatoon and area through performances, workshops, competitions and family events. We also host the Scottish Pavilion at Folkfest, Saskatoon's terrific multicultual festival held each year in mid-August. SHDA dancers are from three dance schools here in Saskatoon, Wilson's School of Highland Dance, Spence's School of Highland Dance, and the University of Saskatchewan Dance Program.
Scottish Country Dancers-
Scottish country dancing is a sociable dance form with roots stretching back for centuries. Participants dance in sets, typically of 3 or 4 couples arranged with men and women facing each other, and work together to dance a sequence of formations. Dances are devised to have each couple interact with each other couple in the set. It is common practice to dance with different partners during a night of dancing. You don't have to be Scottish. People of all cultures and all ages enjoy this form of dance. Scottish country dancing is good fun, good exercise, good music and good company! If you think you’d like to give it a try, we meet every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. starting on 7th September at St. Marks Church Hall.
Stephen Maguire-
From Belfast, N. Ireland, Stephen Maguire now splits his time between the emerald isle and the Canadian prairies. He released his album ‘Irish Soul’ in 2010, which is enjoying radio play in seven countries. Reviews are comparing Stephen’s music and songwriting to that of Lenny Kravitz, Joe Cocker and Elton John. Recent highlights include performing at the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival opening for Grammy award winner Nanci Griffith; performing with Ivor Novello award winner John Reid (hit writer for Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban and Rod Stewart); opening for the Regina Symphony Orchestra; being the guest vocalist on Gemini winner Andrea Menard’s Canadian Christmas 'Sparkle' Tour; and supporting five-time Grammy winner B.J. Thomas. Stephen staged the Flood Relief Concerts that raised $68,500 for the Red Cross and the people in Saskatchewan affected by the severe weather. Audiences can’t get enough of Stephen Maguire… the music, the banter and the storytelling. For more information visit http://www.stephenmaguirelive.com/.
