Month: February 2020

Five full days of music, dance, presentations and cultural exchanges are planned as Brandon University (BU) prepares to celebrate Indigenous Awareness Week from Monday, Feb. 10 to Friday, Feb. 14.
Events will take place at various locations around campus, beginning on Monday with the start of the Brandon University Indigenous New Music Festival. The three-day festival will feature workshops, talks and evening concerts.

Under the auspices of the pro series and the School of Music, the Brandon University Indigenous New Music Festival will take place from Monday, February 10 to Wednesday, February 12. This year’s lineup includes two guest artists-in-residence—Juno Award–nominated Cree ‘cellist and composer Cris Derksen, Anishinaabe violist, media artist, grass dancer, and arts educator Melody McKiver—along with Métis composer Ian Cusson, Anishinaabe pianist and composer Beverley McKiver, the Sweet Medicine Singers, Jingle Dancer Shawntea Wilson, BU Knowledge Keeper Barb Blind, and other musical guests.
“When I was exploring the possibilities for this edition of the Festival, I was guided by the notion of building intercultural understanding, partnerships and mutual respect through concerts, workshops, and presentations,” said pianist Megumi Masaki, the Festival’s curator as well as the director of the Brandon University New Music Ensemble (BUNME).