New Westminster residents have a chance to experience Indigenous stories through art.
A number of upcoming events in the city centre on the work of Indigenous artists.
On Sunday, Feb. 17, theatre lovers can check out a free reading of the play Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer, by Kevin Loring – including a talkback session with Loring after the show. Loring is the artistic director of the Savage Society, which is partnering with Massey Theatre on the reading, and he’s also the artistic director of Indigenous theatre for the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The reading is at the Massey’s Plaskett Gallery, 735 Eighth Ave., at 7 p.m., and free childminding is available. It’s free, and you don’t need to register; just show up. For information, see www.savagesociety.ca/skookum-series.
Then, from Wednesday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 24, Dancers of Damelahamid is celebrating the songs, stories and dances of Indigenous people with the Coastal Dance Festival. It includes daytime family and school performances by donation, as well as signature evening performances that are ticketed. It’s all happening at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Buy tickets through www.ticketsnw.ca or 604-521-5050, or find a full schedule of events at www.damelahamid.ca.
The following week, on Friday, March 1, New West audiences can enjoy free workshop performances of a new production-in-development by the Savage Society. White Noise – which tells the story of what happens when an Indigenous family goes to dinner at the home of their new Point Grey neighbours – explores the issue of internalized racism and what happens when we confront it. It’s onstage at 1 and 7:30 p.m. at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. It’s free, but book seats through 604-521-5050 or www.ticketsnw.ca.
