CONVERSATIONS: Hidden Stories
Aanmitaagzi Story Makers & Vanguardia Dance Projects
August 9th at 7:00 pm
Betty Speers Theatre – Capitol Centre
150 Main St E, North Bay, ON
After premiering in Kitchener earlier this year, Aanmitaagzi Story Makers & Vanguardia Dance Projects are excited to bring CONVERSATIONS: Hidden Stories to the Capitol Centre in North Bay as part of ON THE EDGE Fringe Festival’s 2025 Duality program. This will be a one night only performance. Admission is free, but the festival is accepting PWYC donations to help offset costs.
CONVERSATIONS: Hidden Stories is a dialogue of bodies extended in various latitudes of the Americas. Starting from the investigation of “body and territory” by the Colombian-Canadian choreographer Olga Barrios, this work seeks a conversation between women through the Americas, seeking a South-North echo. Barrios’ research/creation explores the traces of Indigenous heritage that have been erased in her journey, as has happened with many people in various places in America and the planet. This work is based on the woman of many colours that she experiences in herself and with the many other voices in the world that seek connection with ideas of traces erased from history.
Production Credits
Dancers & Text Creators: Norma Araiza, Olga Barrios, Penny Couchie, Animikiikwe Couchie-Waukey, Lilia León
Composer & Sound Designer: Edgardo Moreno
Projection Artist: Alejandra Higuera in collaboration with Olga Barrios
Costumes: Jennifer Kelly
Lighting Design: Trevor Schwellnus
Installation Artists: Aanmitaagzi with Sherry Guppy (lead), Sid Bobb, Penny Couchie, Katie Couchie, and Olivia Shortt.
Director & Choreographer: Olga Barrios
Stage Manager: Kelsey Ruhl
Locations of work development: Big Medicine Studio (Nipissing First Nation), Arcadia Artists Co-op & National Ballet of Canada (Toronto)
On stage canvas installation developed by Aanmitaagzi artists in collaboration with the participants of the 2023 Aanmitaagzi Summer Arts Program at Big Medicine Studio in Nipissing First Nation.
About the Companies:
Vanguardia Dance Projects is a collective focused on creating, presenting, promoting and supporting works of dance artists with Latin American and Indigenous backgrounds living in Canada. We intend to promote an ongoing exchange and collaboration with international dance organizations and artists. We are interested in the dissemination of contemporary artistic practices of dance artists with Latin American background in Canada, maintaining conversations with the rest of the country and the world. We support innovative artists that include other art disciplines pushing the boundaries of what is called “contemporary” as well as works that, having dance as the core, reflect a permanent search of expression through different languages. www.vanguardiadanceprojects.com
Aanmitaagzi Story Makers is an Indigenous multi-disciplinary artist-run company based in Nipissing First Nation. Linked to provincial, national and international networks, we are committed to fostering a vibrant arts community through community-engaged projects that promote well-being, strengthen relationships with the land, and incorporate intergenerational approaches and methodologies. We combine art-making, education, professional development & social activism through contemporary and customary arts, nurturing historic Indigenous arts practices and exploring how these practices can be carried forward in a meaningful contemporary context. www.aanmitaagzi.net
We’re hosting another House Concert and Open Mic session on Saturday, November 15th from 1 to 5 pm. We’ll start things off with Migizi Country (Dan Commanda, Dave Miner, and Leland Bell), and then the afternoon will continue with songs, stories, and spoken word performances from invited guests and audience members. Pre-registration is not required, but is appreciated if you plan on taking a turn at the mic. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
