Hats off

...to the Flin Flon Community Choir, the Flin Flon Arts Council, the Cranberry Aboriginal Art Festival Committee, the Flin Flon Indian/Metis Friendship Centre and everyone else who had a hand in presenting Night on an Old Trade Route. The concerts were amazing. And moving. I'm thrilled that my poems were part of this. Thanks to the composers, the director and each member of the choir for making my words come alive so beautifully.

It's impossible to put the experience into words. Instead I'll let H's pics do the talking.

I understand both concerts were sold out. Here's the crowd gathering before the first concert.



Here's Jim Hiscott, the composer of "Night on an Old Trade Route," Andrea Ratuski, who performed "Spirit Reel" with Jim Hiscott, Mark Kolt, the composer of "Pictograph" and "Words to Another Forest Song" as well as another piece performed in the concert, and me.



Looking up at the tipi from inside.


The sound in the tipi was incredible. I'm told the singing sounded wonderful outside the tipi as well.


Here's a peek at the Gathering Ceremony.



Here I am being interviewed by Mark Szyszlo.


The piece about the concert was aired on CBC radio twice today. I slept through the first broadcast, but received a phone call right after from someone who had heard it. I missed the second broadcast due to cat issues. I received a call after it from another listener. Both said Szyszlo's piece on the concert was excellent.


Here's a shot of the crowd after the first concert.



Here I am signing a score for a member of the choir.



Here's the Rising Sun Drum Group down by the water shortly before they moved inside for the evening concert.



Here's Jana Dutkiewicz, the soprano soloist who performed "Words to Another Forest Song," and me.



Here's the choir lining up for the evening concert.



Here's Crystal Kolt, director of the choir, after the Gathering Ceremony.


Crystal's tremendous energy is contagious and her vision is both great and inspiring.

I'm happy I was there to see both concerts. They were the same and yet so different. It was wonderful to have Ariel and H there with me to share and document the experience.

Again, hats off to all!