This year I had the honour of playing for the Pilaros Taste of the Danforth. I had such an enjoyable time playing outside of Castries Barber Salon. A 30 + year shop that it well known for impromptu musical performances. The crowd enjoyed the music and even joined us with singing some of the songs.
Culture Days Connections
Greetings everyone!
Hope all is well. It has been a little while since I have said hello and just wanted to update you on my progress with Culture Days.
In my last newsletter I mentioned taking my workshop, "Steelpan With Suzette", to the next level. This idea stemmed from an attendee, while attending the first National Congress on Culture, who mentioned the importance of being aware of ensuring that our workshops are accessible to all. Last year, I made sure the location of my workshop was wheelchair accessible. However, I left the conference thinking about her statement.
I had been recently thinking about my grandmother who had passed when I was about 9 years old.
She was a woman with a loving spirit who had become progressively blind
due to glaucoma. She never had the opportunity to see or hear about my
love for the steelpan since I took it up as a teenager.
I thought about what it would have been like for me to play for her and even get her to play.
A few days after the conference I said to myself, "I would like to give a steelpan workshop for the visually impaired and blind".
My grandmother Elouise "Mammie Loy" and myself at age 8.
Outside Sanderson Library , location of 2012 Culture Days workshop "Steelpan With Suzette"
I had never done this type of workshop and connected with Catherine McLeod, Ontario Culture Days Interim Manager. Having previously been involved in art accessibility projects, she was able to give me some valuable advice and suggestions towards making this a reality.
I also put forth the idea to the Parliament Street Library who invited me to do a workshop for Culture Days. Branch manager Barry Gray was very supportive of my proposed workshop.
I know I have a lot of work ahead of me and I'm sure there are challenges I haven't envisioned but I am confident. Just knowing that I can connect and share my gift is a joy.
I really would like to reiterate the words that were told to us while sitting in the audience at the conference that day (paraphrased), “those that will be presenting an activity for Culture Days to consider making your workshop accessible to allow everyone to be able to participate”. At the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about?
Suzette
"Communities that include everyone become stronger and everyone wins."
Jane Imbody
World Under 23 Ultimate Championships 2013
I had the honour of performing for the closing ceremonies of the WFDF (World Flying Disc Federation) World Under 23 Ultimate Championships 2013 at York University. There were athletes representing from Canada, US, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and Germany. I had a great time watching the finals between Canada and the US and hadn't realized how exciting the games are.
Tuesday Night Jam Session
Met with some fellow Toronto musicians for a jam session. Learning a lot from these greats, so honoured. Can't wait for the next one on Friday July 26 at Castries Barber Salon, 852 Pape Ave 7-9pm (free) for their monthly Talent Night.
Back row: Cecil, Carl, Frank, Ian
Front row: Suzette & Sharon
Another Blissful Wedding
Every month since February I have been performing for weddings. Now that it's summer time, it's peak wedding season. I have been having a wonderful journey of meeting people of all cultures and learning about their traditions. The music, attire, food and customs all give me a glimpse into the uniqueness of what makes us all special. I look forward to continuing on this journey of discovery and surprise.
Canada Day Celebrations in Toronto
I had a FANTASTIC time going all around the city and seeing how people celebrated Canada Day.
Places visited: Queen's Park, Pan Fantasy's Pan Yard (Downsview), Dundas Square and Harbourfront
Click photos to view
Soul Interactive
Pics coming soon!
Muhtadi's International Drum Festival
Every year Muhtadi Thomas celebrates his birthday with the world. For the past 14 years he has held an international drum festival showcasing drum performances from different cultures.
I was lucky to participate and experience the joy of drumming years ago with Afropan Steelband when the festival was originally situated at Queen's Park. This was my first time attending at Woobine Park in The Beaches since their move to 2012.
As usual, it was a great 2 day event with 2 stages of performances, and a drum circle anyone could join. A variety of food is always accessible and multiple vendors selling their wares.
Toronto Orchetra: Music Of the World
International Culture Bazaar
Here is a photo of the musicians and singers that participated in last month's International Culture Bazaar's Talent Showcase. I had ball and was proud and pleased with the children & youth that participated. They did a FANTASTIC job.
Tonight we meet again to support the local talent at Castries Barber Salon, 852 Pape Avenue. Free showcase 7-10pm
Culture Days Connections + Thank You
Toronto Orchestra presents: MUSIC of the WORLD June 1, 2013
I am so honoured to have been selected to perform for this gala in support of youth. tbc.
Culture Days: 1st National Congress on Culture May 24, 2013
Culture Days, a 3 day celebration showcasing artists and cultural groups has been growing bigger and better with each successive year. With their largest attendance in 2012, 1.6 million, you can't help but smile and participate.
My decision to participate was one that came easy. Being able to share my art (the Steelpan) with the community was a blessing. Being able to change lives by making a positive impact is a life changer. Whether it's getting someone to smile and enjoy the music, exposing them to the instrument for the 1st time, or having someone pursue the instrument is really cool. I really try to have a positive message for the audience because whether we like it or know it, we are role models for those around us.
This year Culture Days is having the first ever National Congress on Culture with the theme: The Art of Engagement: Finding, Igniting and Keeping Audiences
"Taking place in Toronto, this first annual National Congress on Culture will bring together provocative speakers and panelists, arts and private sector leaders, media influencers, policy makers, funders, artists and cultural practitioners to share insights, discuss and draw lessons from a diversity of experiences, trends, best practices and impacts of public engagement in arts and culture in Canada today." -culturedays.ca
I will be in attendence and as well hope to learn, be inspired and make a connection with others that are on the same journey as myself.
Music Monday
First Earth-Space Music Monday Concert was held at the Ontario Science Centre. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performed live from space as part of this year's Music Monday concert. Joining school music group, he sang I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) co-written with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies. The entire concert was streamed live courtesy of the Canadian Space Agency.
Jump to 36:30 to see and hear Chris Hadfield making history.
Pan Fest
Another succesful year of over 800 students participating in the annual TDSB Pan Fest at the Bickford Learning Centre. more photos to come
Stop The Cuts
I can't ever think of a time as a young child and not having music incorporated into my school experience. I was fortunate enough to have both vocal and instrumental music while in elementary school. Miss Barr (who later became Mrs. Black) was one of THE most wonderful teachers I had ever met. She was unlike any other teacher. There was a spark -no a THUNDERBOLT within her. Anytime she needed to get the attention of a student, especially when we were outside, she would use her mezzo-soprano range and sing their name with a vibrato. "Suzehhhhhh-eeeeeehhhhtte" CLASSIC Miss Barr. We loved it and loved her. She had a way of making everything we learned about music magical.
I still remember our kindergarten Christmas concert (a few decades ago-I won't get into specifics), not all of us were cast to be ladybugs and fireflies, the rest were part of the choir. Some of us were sad but she let us know how IMPORTANT we and OUR ROLES were and that we were part of the production even though we weren't in costume. To this day I still remember the song we sang (Angels, Lambs, Ladybugs and Fireflies).
I also remember in grade 6 learning about rhythms. Miss Barr introduced us to glockenspiels and marimbas. I wanted so badly to be chosen to participate but sadly I was going through a phase of being self-conscious and didn't put up my hand. I still remember the rhythms that she introduced to us that day -Imagine that. That year I also remember not giving my all when I was singing (still self conscious). Well Miss Barr noticed and made a comment on my report card. I wasn't mad because knew I had it in me to do better and so did Miss Barr.
At the end of grade 6 (I think it was grade 6), Miss Barr, who was now Mrs. Black (married), was leaving our school to go to another. I was crushed as the other kids were. I never got a chance to tell her how much she meant to me. How happy I felt to be in her class, and how much she enriched MY LIFE. It is because of her I had and still have such an appreciation for the arts, world music and marimbas.
The following year we had a new music teacher. Mr. Sandbourne. He was weird and seemed boring. He didn't have the energy and zest that Miss Barr had. There was one thing though that made him special. He was an avid Beatles fan and when he spoke about them, he came ALIVE. That year I learned all about the Beatles and they earned my respect and appreciation as did Mr. Sandbourne.
My love music has made me who I am today, with the help of hard working, passionate teachers like Miss Barr aka Mrs. Black, Mr. Sandbourne and Mr. T-my instrumental teacher-but that's another story.
Please click to sign the petition to Stop the Program cuts in the Toronto District School Board. Click to see larger
Journey of Discovery at OISE
"Every year, one of the initiatives of the Gifted Program is to organize Journey of Discovery, a conference for Gifted Program students held at O.I.S.E (The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) at the University of Toronto. The purpose of this conference is to expose students to an array of creative workshops and presentations designed and selected to awaken and nurture our students’ potential to become positive, proactive citizens of the 21st century." -Toronto Catholic District School Board Gifted Programs
I am honoured to have been invited for a 3rd year to participation in this initiate of educating and inspiring the students. We had a great time learning about the evolution of the steelpan and creating rhythms. When asked what song they wanted to learn, a student suggested a Bruno Mars song "Just The Way You Are" The students realized they had to listen to each other and work as a team in order to complete their song. What an important & positive song for kids.
"When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are "
Bruno Mars
Steelpan Workshop for students
The students of Brian Elementary Public School divided into 4 groups to learn about the history and development of the Steelpan. Many had seen the instruments before but hadn't the opportunity to get up close and learn about its evolution. I had the opportunity to showcase an original "Spider Web Pan" whose design was first presented by steelpan pioneer Anthony Williams in 1953. This steelpan is no longer created for performance.
Suzette showing the students the Spider Web Pan, whose design plus arrangement of notes in the circle of 5th's style were first introduced by Anthony Williams
St. Lucian Independence Gala
More photos coming soon!
