2009 ArtsWells Workshops And Non-Musical Performances

Needlefelting the Easy Way with Sharon Cahn of Pluckings

There is a $35 cost to buy the kit for this workshop (cost is not included with festival pass). The kit contains a special paper that allows participants to needlefelt their first project in a foolproof way. There is enough wool and the special paper in the kit for you to make several items. We will make one in the one hour class, but you can later either practice on more of the paper or can go on to needlefelt without it, having gained confidence in their abilities to needlefelt. If you need a refresher course, the kit includes a DVD that goes over the process again. It is an easy foolproof way to begin.

Instant Books From A Sheet of Paper with Pamela Cinnamon

A simple and fun technique to create a small book from only one sheet of paper – no glue, staples or stitching! Notes & quotes, poetry & dreams, addresses & lists. Lots of papers! Lots of sample ideas! Lots of fun!

Steel Guitar Workshop with Travis Bernhardt

Sometimes called slide guitar, Dobro, or lapsteel, a steel guitar is any guitar played with a steel bar which slides across the strings. Travis will take you on a musical trip through Hawaii, India and the American South. Bring a guitar, any kind will do, and you’ll learn fundamental techniques for playing rhythm and lead on steel in a variety of styles. If you don’t have a steel bar and/or fingerpicks, there will be some extras available to use at the workshop. Travis, steel guitarist for The Creaking Planks, has studied steel guitar with Steve Dawson, Debashish Bhattacharya, and the Campbell Brothers (Chuck and Darick).

Shaolin Kung-fu with Clinton John Leon

CJ Leon will teach the essential tiger-style open-hand Shaolin Kung-fu form. Learn the classic techniques that made the Shaolin monks the most revered warriors of the ancient world.

Outdoor Natural Art with Caroline Anders and Ruthie Sumiko Tabata

Join Caroline and Ruthie in the Wells natural surroundings for an outdoor art making Happening. We will go on a short walk in the woods and bog visiting landmarks and gathering natural materials to make a collective outdoor natural picture/sculpture. Over time, nature will dominate and the picture may evolve into something new or fade into the earth. Come be a part of our nature art instillation and be a part of something special!!

Yoga with Kate Sulis

Kate Sulis has been leading yoga classes in Wells and Quesnel for a number of years. She is a registered massage therapist and uses this experience to help lead participants through a fairly energetic yoga routine which focusses on core strength and flexibility. She follows no particular brand of yoga, but draws on experience from different classes she has taken over the years.
Come prepared with a yoga matt if you have one, and a light-weight
blanket. We will be outside (weather permitting) so bug dope might be in order!

Music BC presents Indie Artists on Songwriting and the Business with Dan Mangan, Brandon Scott and Amanda Schweers

Dan Mangan and Brandon Scott will be performing a few of their songs, and talking about their own songwriting process. Together Amanda, Dan, & Brandon will address what to do with these songs once you’ve written them, and reflect on some of the things they’ve learned along the way as independent artists like: SOCAN, applying for grants, planning your tour, and some pitfalls to avoid.

Vocal Improvisation with Dirty Grace

Being comfortable with jamming vocally makes way for hours of spontaneous, good’ol fun. We’ll play with singing with others, exploring our own sounds, harmonies, freestyled words, and vocal percussion/beat boxin’. We’ll illustrate some movements and sentiments with sound, inside safe, encouraging, inclusive space. No experience necessary.

Road Stories with Ghosts of the Highway

In the spring of 2008, Jeff Andrew and shayne avec i grec hitchhiked from Vancouver, BC, to St. John’s, NFLD, bringing their mix of radical folk and spoken word to more than 50 cities across Canada. Join them at this open mic-style workshop to hear the tales of high adventure. Bring your own road songs and stories to share - everyone who wants to will get a chance to perform!

Lost & Found Puppet Co. with Maggie Winston

This the story of one puppet that has been created on the theme of our lowest human chakra, Mula Dhara. The Root Chakra has many characteristics that were explored by the puppeteer to create a physical puppet body and human personality. Perhaps this character has given us all the ability to get down and dirty?

Object Theatre Animation with Maggie Winston

Learn the hidden characters within everyday objects and how to animate them as puppets.

Gospel Singing with Melisa Devost

This workshop will combine learning the basics of vocal technique with learning and singing gospel songs. Everyone of all ages and abilities welcome!

Church Music with Auberte Campeau

Auberte will present a variety of inter-active songs, call answer-style and some songs where the audience joins in at the chorus. She will also have a variety of percussion instruments for people to play, including a djembe african drum. People will also be invited to clap, snap fingers and stomp for certain songs! She will be presenting some quiet meditative songs as well that people can close their eyes to and simply relax or meditate.

Radical Folk History 101 With Joey Only

The working class has used folk music for centuries to represent their struggle against the system. Joey Only will take you on a musical journey through the slave rebellions, the strikes of 1877, the death of Joe Hill, the Industrial Workers of the World (1905-1930) and the songs of Woody Guthrie, Utah Philips and more.

Poi Spinning With Donnalee Davidson

Learn how to transform balls on cords into weaving circles and colourful spirals. Learn the rhythm and art of poi with Donnalee! This workshop is aimed at beginners but welcomes spinners of all levels to join in and learn some new moves.

Lyric Writing With Linda McRae

Want to find ways to unblock your creative flow? Come have some fun and Linda will show you how to jump start the writing process and improve your writing no matter what discipline you’re in…songwriting, pros, poetry, journalist, what have you. Please bring paper and a pen.

Hand Drumming Performance and Workshop with Granville Johnson

Birds Eye View Stilt Walking with Ruthie Sumiko Tabata

Stilt walking workshop for all ages, heights, and shoe sizes.

Juggling Workshop with Tyler D.

Wells/ Prince George resident juggler and unicyclist will teach some juggling basics and advanced tricks for juggler-wannabes of any age.

Reading from “Jacob’s Prayer” with Lorne Dufour

Jacob’s Prayer takes place during this time of transformation and it speaks to the unexpected existence of resiliency in the most unassuming of characters. It centres around one tragic Halloween evening in 1975 when two men lose their lives and another is saved by a friend who chooses not to be destroyed by his own tragedy and devastating loss. Jacob’s Prayer is the haunting and poetic story of a community’s suffering, loss and eventual healing.

Extreme Textile Techniques with Hilary Young and Patricia Chauncey

The Extreme Textile Workshop provides 3 hours to experiment with an exciting array of methods, tools and materials to create fabric with texture and dimensions.
Learn how to use destructive technique in a safe and fascinating way.
Come rip, tear, melt and burn to create a whole new textile vocabulary.

Photo by Bill Horne

Creativity from the Core with Corbin Keep

Dissolving Traditional Song Form and replacing them with your Truest Deepest Expression.