Dreamspeakers Festival set to roll in May

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Edmonton, the City of Festivals, is gearing up for another summer season which will offer the public a myriad of festivals, many of which incorporate a variety of performing arts.

The Dreamspeakers Festival, however, is the only one which is completely produced, operated by and features Aboriginal people.

Festival organizers claim it is "the only multi-disciplinary festival of its kind in the world! What's more, its performers are not just from Edmonton . They hail from various points around the globe, at least as much as finance will permit. With budgets getting smaller and smaller while costs get larger and larger, the out-of country participation will not likely be what's been over the past three years for this particular festival.

Acting director Sharon Shirt explains that there are a few new twists this time around. A major one is that both the dates and the venues have been altered. Usually held in late August, it is now scheduled for May/early June. In addition, the sites are changed, and the downtown core area will no longer be the setting, at least not this year.

Rather, the films screenings are slated for the Princess Theater on Edmonton's south side, and the film symposiums will occur art the University of Alberta Lister Hall May 31-June 2, while the performing and visual arts will go at the university's Butterdome on June 3-4. The shifts may be viewed by some as something of a gamble, and perhaps they are, but only experimentation will lend the true verdict.

The line-up for this year is taking shape with a good number of confirmations already. Of special interest to some may be the attendance and participation of international recording artist Buffy Sainte-Marie. Also on the menu is Alberta actress Tantoo Cardinal (Loyalties, Dances With Wolves, Legends of the Fall, etc.) and North of 60 script writer Jordan Wheeler.

How about world hoop dance champion Quentin Pipestem!? And there'll be the Aklavik Dancers and Drummers from the Northwest Territories, the renowned Red Thunder Theatre Dance Troupe from Calgary, northern Alberta's Dene Tha Drummers, Edmonton's Metis Cultural Dancer, Yukon singers/musician Jerry Alfred, and Buddy Big Mountain, a puppeteer from New Mexico. From South America, it will be Ynka Nan, a traditional singing group from the Andes, which performs some material which dates back to 4,000 B.C.! And Emma Paki, New Zealand's number one female recording artist, will make her debut in this country. Many more will round out the list.

In addition, Dreamspeaker never fails to fill in with the local White Braid Dancers and a number of crafts makers, some of whom demonstrate their skills at producing crafts on-site. While all retailers are not confirmed, there's usually quite a broad spectrum of Indian arts and crafts. So, for those wanting beadwork, drums, moose hair tufting, birch bark bitings, some carvings, and fine art, Dreamspeakers can pretty well guarantee that you'll find much to be had.

All this, of course, supports not only the individual artisans, but also one of the society's main objectives, "to promote support, market and advocate the development of Aboriginal artists."

Like any other festival, Dreamspeakers markets many of its very own products for the hungry person, and souvenirs/mementos for the collectors. For the third year, the festival will cater various food items from Kokum'ss Kitchen on Wheels, an antique 1950 REO bus that's been newly redone. Some of the food is a treat for those who enjoy the traditional, such as buffalo burgers, banock and tea, Indian soup, etc.

It's an event many delight in, one which many learn from, and a great way to spend a few sunny days. Those who attend one festival, usually return for a second, and even more, helpings.

Dreamspeakers are in the market for volunteers and can be reached by phoning (403) 439-3456.