Come in from the Cold: Free Workshop Series - City of Prince George

Request to Appear as a DelegationDate of this submission: November 15, 2010Requested Meeting Date: December 13, January 10 or January 24Organization Name (if applicable): Sarah L. Cunningham Consulting and Coldsnap WinterMusic Festival (Prince George Folkfest Society)Name of Presenter: Sarah Cunningham and Jo BeattieName of Applicant if Other than Above: Sarah CunninghamContact Phone Number & Email: (250) 962-6328 sarahlcunningham@shaw.caMailing Address with Postal Code: 6562 Monterey Road, Prince George BC. V2K 4E1Audio/Visual requirements (if yes, specify): N/ATopic: Come in From the Cold Workshop Free Workshop SeriesThe main purpose of my presentation will be to share a very good news project with CityCouncil; one that I believe really brings many of the myPG social development goals andstrategies to life and actually does demonstrate 'what it looks like on the ground'.Our project represents a dynamic partnership between myself, Sarah L. CunninghamConsulting, and the Coldsnap Winter Music Festival in conjunction with a number ofPrince George's well known non-profit social service agencies such as Future Cents,Multicultural Heritage Society, the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-in Centre, and the PrinceGeorge Community Arts Council. Working with $25000 in funding, provided by theMinistry of Citizen Services, and operating as a partnership, we have organized and willimplement a series of free workshops, several targeting youth, and Aboriginal people thatwill use music and the arts to explore themes of inclusion, diversity, multiculturalism andracism. It has been brought to my attention just how closely this work serves the myPGIntegrated Community Sustainability Plan – especially key social development goals. Thisproject is an example of how working together supports the achievement of the PrinceGeorge community vision.Action You Wish Council to Take: No action is being requested however we would like toextend a friendly invitation to the Mayor and Council to participate in one or more of theworkshop, all of which are scheduled for the final week in January.

It has been brought to my attention just how closely this work serves the myPG IntegratedCommunity Sustainability Plan – especially a number of the key social development goals. Thisproject is a wonderful example of how by working together, we collectively support theachievement of the Prince George community vision. I would be happy to make a presentationto Council to describe this further, especially if this can be arranged to take place prior to January22, 2011In closing, we would like extend a friendly invitation to the Mayor and Council to ‘come in fromthe cold’ with us by participating in one or more of these very unique workshops. Please feelfree to contact me for any additional information you may require.Sincerely,Sarah CunninghamSarah L. Cunningham ConsultingPrince George BCsarahlcunningham@shaw.caAttachments: one

Program of Workshops @ November 15, 2010To ‘come in from the cold’ with us, we invite you to participate in one or more of theseven free workshops scheduled for January 22, 23, 28 and 29. Choose from:Location Date Event Name Musicians/Artists TimeThe Fire PitCultural Drop InCentre, 1114 – 3 rdAve.Saturday,Jan. 22Sharing the Beat:Drum CircleAdonis PuentesBand and otherMaster Drummers10:30 a.m. –12:30p.m.Youth AroundPrince – YAP1160 – 7 th AvenueYouth AroundPrince – YAP1160 – 7th AvenueSunday,Jan. 23Friday,Jan. 28Open Minds with OpenMicHip Hop and MoreThe Good LoveliesApril VerchShadBasia BulatTo sign up to perform at the Open Minds with Open Mike contact:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=157616184277890&index=11:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m. (doors openat 12:30)1:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m. (doors openat 12:30)Connaught YouthCentre1491 – 17 th AvenueConnaught YouthCentre1491 – 17th AvenueSaturday,Jan. 22Friday,Jan. 28Pillow Concert atConnaught YouthCentreWarm Your Spirit withStreet Spirits(Limit of 25 spaces) Sultans ofStringStreet Spiritswith ArtistDirector,Andrew Burton3:00 p.m. – 4:30p.m.10:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m.To sign up for Street Spirits contact Sarah Cunningham at sarahlcunningham@shaw.caCollege of NewCaledonia, Atrium3330-22 nd Ave,Friday,Jan. 28Sharing ExperienceConnecting WorldsTBA2:30 p.m. – 4:30p.m.The Art Space1685 – 3 rd AvenueSaturday,Jan. 29Come in From theCold: WorkshopSeries Wrap-upLeonard Ward,David Wilcox,Street Spirits andThe Paperboys1:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m. (doors openat 12:30)

Final, January 3 2011Come In From The Cold: Free Workshop SeriesExploring Multiculturalism, Diversity, Inclusion andRacism in Prince George, through MusicThe Come In From The Cold Free Workshop Series (the result of a partnership between ColdsnapWinter Music Festival and a number of Prince George organizations) is offering seven very uniquemusical workshops as part of Coldsnap 2011, taking place from January 21 to January 30 2011.Acclaimed Coldsnap performers will be performing and sharing songs and stories; stories of beingleft out and stories of belonging; stories that help us understand the value our different culturesas well as stories of overcoming racist attitudes. Through music and other art forms, audiencemembers will have the opportunity to reflect upon and explore multiculturalism, inclusion,diversity and racism in Prince George while thinking about what could make Prince George an evenmore inclusive city. All seven events are open to everyone, however two specifically target youth(teens and twenties). To ‘come in from the cold’ with us, we invite you to participate in one ormore of the seven free workshops, scheduled for January 22, 23, 28 and 29. Choosefrom:Share the Beat Drum Circle: with Adonis Puentes Band, Alan O’Reilly, GranvilleJohnson, Candice George and other Lead DrummersThe Fire Pit Cultural Drop-in Centre (1120 – 3 rd Ave.) is hosting a very unique drumming circle on Saturday January 22,from 10:30 to 12:30 in the morning. Drummers, sharing their different drumming styles will come together to ‘Share theBeat’! Carrier, Celtic, Cuban and African drummers will all be there. An important part of this event will be the storiesthe drummers will share about their culture and about their experiences of racism, belonging, and diversity. Novice andstudent drummers are welcome to bring a drum and join the circle while everyone else is welcome to come, listen and sharethe beat, as well! The event will wrap up with pie and hot drinks including tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Come, warm upwith us, and Share the Beat!Open Minds with Open Mic with The Good Lovelies and April VerchYAP Friends (1148 7 th Avenue) are hosting this youth-oriented Open Mic event, 1:00 to 4:00 Sunday January 23. Doorsopen at 12:30. Coldsnap performing artists: The Good Lovelies and April Verche will get the ball rolling with their songs.They will be joined by young local musicians who are invited to add songs or any musical performance that exploreinclusion, multiculturalism, diversity or racism and, because WE value diversity and inclusion we invite and welcome song ormusic in any language and on any instrument! Free pizza and pop will be provided to everyone! To sign up to perform atOpen Minds with Open Mike contact: Brian at 250-565-6278 or by e-mail: brian@futurecents.caYou can also use thisFacebook link:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=157616184277890&index=1Speak Up for Justice with Shad and Basia BulatOn Friday January 28 YAP Friends (1148 7 th Avenue) are hosting Shad (Juno Award and Polaris prize nominated MC!) andBasia Bulat for this youth-oriented concert. This free concert begins at 1:00 while doors open at 12:30. These twointernationally-known Canadian artists sing about experiences and themes that affect all of us; a Shad reviewer states“Sharper and wittier flows than Drake and nearly as much social consciousness and indie rock scene appeal as K’naan” ( TheTORONTOIST) and of Basia Bulat, “Forget genres and influences; the one overriding quality of Bulat’s music is herpassion!” Free popcorn, and other snacks and drinks will be available. Arrive early to guarantee a spot!Pillow Concert for Children and Families with Sultans of StringBring a pillow or sit on the floor mats! On Saturday, Jan. 22, 3:00 – 4:30 at the Connaught Youth Centre (1491 – 17 thAvenue) the Sultans of String will perform an engaging concert for children, parents and all residents of Carney Hill and1

Final, January 3 2011surrounding neighbourhoods. “Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity”, Sultans of String, have been nominated thisyear for a 2010 JUNO Award, and also for Favourite World Music Band at Canadian Music Week’s 2010 Indie Awards.Their brand new CD, Yalla Yalla!, received a triple nomination in the Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning InstrumentalGroup of the Year. Sultans of String were also voted Best Variety Act by Festivals & Events Ontario, and just won theInternational Songwriting Competition in the Instrumental category out of 15,000 entries. Their performance is madepossible in part by a grant from the Ontario Arts Council’s National Touring program.You can be sure that they will encourage participation and movement by the younger audience members and that everyonewill find something to connect to in their stories and music. This free 1.5 hour event will include a 45 minute concert,followed by a mural creation art activity and social time, where bannock, fruit and drinks will be provided (at no charge).Warm Your Spirit with Street Spirits and Artist Director, Andrew BurtonWarm Your Spirits Theatre Workshop will take place the Connaught Youth Centre (1491 – 17 th Avenue) Friday January 28from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The internationally-acclaimed Street Spirits Theatre Company actors, lead by Artistic DirectorAndrew Burton, will guide participants through a dynamic acting process where topics such as racism, inclusion,multiculturalism and diversity will be tackled. This 5-hour workshop is open to everyone however people with an interest inacting may find it especially engaging although no acting experience is necessary! Normally provided at a cost of $200 perparticipant, we are very pleased to provide the workshop (and hot lunch) at no cost. Only 25 spots are available and preregistrationis required. (Contact Sarah Cunningham at sarahlcunningham@shaw.ca to pre-register) Please note thatfurther to the workshop itself, interested participants may have an opportunity to be part of a Street Spirits show, during thefinal Come in From the Cold event during the afternoon of Saturday January 29.Sharing Worlds with Donne Roberts, Tom Landa, and Neda JalaliThis multicultural musical event takes place Friday, January 28 from 2:30- 4:30 p.m. in the College of NewCaledonia (3330-22 nd Ave) Atrium. Led by international performers, Donne Roberts and Tom Landa ( of The Paperboys)as well as local musician Neda Jalali, stories and songs will be shared to stimulate conversation about inclusion,multiculturalism, diversity and racism. With microphones available to the audience, there will be space for those present toexpress their views as well. This event is open to all residents of Prince George with a special invitation to all of ourinternational students both at CNC and at UNBC or local high schools.Come in From the Cold: Workshop Series Wrap-upWith Leonard Ward, David Wilcox, Street Spirits and the PaperboysOn the afternoon of Saturday January 29 (door open at 12:30 with the show beginning at 1:00) we inviteparticipants and volunteers from the six earlier workshops and all other interested people to participate in a veryexciting wrap up event taking place in The Art Space (1685 – 3 rd Avenue). This event will include an openingsong by Leonard Ward, a Cree Elder and Pipe Carrier; performances by David Wilcox and The Paperboys, anda performance by the Street Spirits Theatre Company. We will recognize the events that brought us togetherover the past week as well reflect upon the impact diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism have on all of us.For more information about Coldsnap and the musicians, please checkout the Coldsnap Web-site http://www.coldsnapfestival.com/festival/This project is made possible through funding from theGovernment of Canada and the Province of British Columbia2