Fall Series – Call for Artist Submissions
From September – December 2021, First Light is planning an exciting new concert series that will present Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists side-by-side, in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation. This series will celebrate the diverse cultures of Newfoundland and Labrador, with a focus on highlighting Indigenous artists. Each event will feature cultural music and storytelling, highlighting the similarities and differences between cultural art forms in our province. Artists with roots in any community tradition are encouraged to apply, including Inuit artists, First Nations artists, Celtic (Irish, English) artists, or any culture that has been under-represented in our arts communities. Differently abled artists, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are also strongly encouraged to apply. Artists will be paid professional rates, and supported through the process by First Light staff. Four artists of diverse backgrounds will be selected for each concert, and they will perform 3-4 songs/stories each. The finale of each concert will be a collaboration between all four artists, to deepen connections as a diverse arts community, in the spirit of friendship. Concerts will take place at our Centre for Performance and Creativity at 81 Cochrane Street.
The three concerts are:
Concert 1 – Songs and Stories of the Drum
On September 3 we will be highlighting the tradition of drums in Newfoundland and Labrador. Performers will be invited to tell the stories and traditions of their drums, and share traditional drum songs. Any percussion instrument (drum, hand percussion, home-made rhythmic instrument, bodhran, First Nations or Inuit drums) is considered eligible for this series, and all drummers are encouraged to apply.
Concert 2 – Songs and Stories of Spirits
In the Halloween Season, on October 23, we will be celebrating ghost stories and stories of spirits from the diverse cultures of Newfoundland and Labrador. These can include scary stories, positive stories of spirits that guide you, or songs about ghosts and monsters! All singers and storytellers from any background (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) with a traditional tale to share are encouraged to apply!
Concert 3 – Songs and Stories of Winter
On December 11, we will be celebrating and welcoming the coming of the winter ahead. We will be featuring holiday and winter songs from diverse backgrounds and traditions. Artists with a traditional song or story about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other December holiday are encouraged to apply, as well as artists who focus less on holidays and more on snow, community or family while preparing for the long winter ahead. We are especially interested in stories of Indigenous resilience and community care, but all artists with a song or story of winter that is rooted in tradition are strongly encouraged to apply.Paragraph
Our strength lies in our differences, and our ability to appreciate, respect and celebrate each other. We sincerely hope to present a series rich in diverse perspectives and lived experiences, and we are so excited to hear what you’ve been creating!
If you’re interested in entering a submission, please fill out the form here.