Category Archives: Arts

Arts

The Awakeneers (P2): Lost in the Goat Trails

The McKenty family’s first public performance was in the outdoor section of the Mansons Farmer’s Market in 2006. After leaving their rental home at Smelt Bay in 2018, they have lived in Vancouver, at Hollyhock and for the last year and a half in Willow Point.

“We can see Cortes across the water,” explained Immanuel.  

To which his father, Robert added, “We’re looking straight across at a place where we lived for 10 years. When we go for a swim, are gardening, or anytime we look out of the window: we’re looking at Cortes. So we’re not actually gone, in our own perspective, we’re still  displaced Cortesians.”

Continue reading The Awakeneers (P2): Lost in the Goat Trails →
Arts

Better than ever: Lovefest 2023

Lovefest will be returning to Cortes Island on August 12. 

“Lovefest just has its own momentum. It exists because the community wants it. There’s nothing political about it. We get to enjoy some good music, have fun together and just be with each other as a community,” explained Rex Weyler, one of the key organizers. 

Continue reading Better than ever: Lovefest 2023 →
Arts

The Awakeneers: coming back to Cortes

The Awakeners came home to Cortes in the summer of 2023. They played at Gorge Hall on Friday July 28, and Mansons Hall the following day.

“We are excited that we’ll have a brand new album with us,” said Immanuel McKenty. 

“It was mostly recorded on Cortes Island and the majority of the songs were also written while we were on Cortes. The album will also be for sale at the Cortes Natural Food Co-op, as well as at our concerts,” added his brother Francis McKenty.

This is the beginning of a two part series about that ‘nomadic tribe of multi-instrumentalist songwriters (most of whom are siblings)’ called the Awakeners. We talk a great deal about their album and where most of the songs were written. In part two, which airs next week, we will go to their home in Willow Point, Campbell River. 

Continue reading The Awakeneers: coming back to Cortes →
Arts

BC composer has piece debut with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra after mentorship

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

BC composer Wylie Ferguson showcased a new composition with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) this spring.

Ferguson’s nearly six minute piece is titled “Broken Earth” and the VSO played his composition on May 30. The 30-year-old composer is very pleased with how it turned out; he describes the composition as “monster music, like something out of a Godzilla movie.” He adds that most of his works lean towards the “dark side.”

Continue reading BC composer has piece debut with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra after mentorship →
Arts, Indigenous Nations History

Residential school memorial pole will make stops on Vancouver Island before installation in Vancouver

Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A blackened column carved with children’s faces, representing lives lost at Indian residential schools, has been created by acclaimed Kwakwuitl carver Stanley Hunt.

The pole will soon travel through Vancouver Island, beginning June 16, making its way to the installation place in Vancouver on Indigenous People’s Day, June 21.

Continue reading Residential school memorial pole will make stops on Vancouver Island before installation in Vancouver →