Dreamspeakers plays to largest crowds ever

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Buffy Sainte Marie, Tantoo Cardinal and John Kim Bell-all Canadian born, all achievers, al success stories. And all guests of the fourth-annual Dreamspeakers Film and Performing Arts Festival in Edmonton. The May 31 to June 2 segment was dedicated to film screenings at the Princes Theatre, while film symposia at the University of Alberta; Lister Hall attracted a good following and active participation.

Festival co-ordinator Sharon Shirt expressed pleasure with the performers and staff at this year's event, which is gradually picking up in terms of visibility and popularity. She acknowledges the necessity of including a few big names, and they were there.

Saint Marie and Cardinal were but two of this high-profile resource people to offer workshops on their involvement in the film industry. No matter where in the world one is based, one can produce video productions and incorporate art and music through computers, which Buffy Sainte Marie aptly demonstrated.

Cardinal also drew a full house for her Retrospect: Tantoo Cardinal workshop in which moderator Marty Ouellette reminisced about the actress.

Later, at the Friday evening gala at the Edmonton Convention Centre, Cardinal became this year's winner of the coveted Alanis Obomsawin Award, which is now in its second year.

Attendance at Dreamspeakers grew by leaps and bounds on June 3 and 4 as the performing artists and crafts people took over the show.

A first-timer at Dreamspeakers was Jerry Alfred and Medicine Beat. He's from Pelly Crossing, Yukon, and is gradually making more frequent appearances in the south.

The Aklavik Drummers and Dancers put on a fine demonstration of their various motion dances. This group has shared its traditions from the Arctic all the way south to Mexico City.

At the local level, country singer Brian Elwood wowed them all with his fine vocals and showed why he was selected to be the opener for the likes of Carlene Carter. The only other local people to entertain were the Metis Cultural Dancers whose jigging, Duck Dance, Drops of Brandy, and Reel of Four always serve notice that Meits culture is alive and well.

Returning north, the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School Young Drummers from Rae-Edzo, N.W.T. were a return engagement this year, and with their high-energy drumming and singing, they managed to get the audience up on its feet and joining in the dancing.

Something for everyone? Why certainly-as demonstrated by Full Blooded, an exuberant rap group from Driftpile. Their lyrics carry messages opposing some of life's ills, things like drug and alcohol abuse, as well as racial tolerance and promotion of positive self-image.

Speaking of the contemporary, the country band known as the Younger Brothers from Manitoba had the folks clappin' and jiggin'. The four Dutiaume brothers demonstrated good vocals and excellent fiddling by Cling, who has produced a couple of tapes.

Representing the Andes region of south America was six-member Ynka Nan, whose soothing medley of flute and reed music was a class touch, as the music and song touched the very souls of its listeners.

Saving one of the best for the last, female vocalist Maree Sheehan from Auckland, New Zealand, did a marvelous job despite the fact she was not accompanied by her band.