Articles tagged with: Celebration of Nations

  • Weeklong event to celebrate Brock’s cultural diversity

    Amanda Martinez and friends will perform on Friday, Feb 8 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines as part of Brock’s weeklong Celebration of Nations.


    (From The Brock News, January 30, 2019 | By: Mike Morrison)

    When it comes to diversity on Brock’s campus, there’s a lot to celebrate. As a result, the annual Celebration of Nations event once condensed to a single day has been expanded to a week of activities highlighting cultures of the world.

    Brock International Services will host a series of events from Monday, Feb. 4 to Friday, Feb. 8 that will educate the Brock community and help its members experience what makes different cultures found on campus special.

    “Expanding Celebration of Nations to a full week of activities truly reflects the diversity of our growing international community at Brock,” said Sandra Gruosso, Associate Director, Brock International Services.

    The University is home to more than 2,100 international students from 100 countries, in addition to faculty and staff with connections to countries around the globe.

    The festivities begin Monday with a Campus World Tour, which invites faculty, staff and students to explore Brock’s cultural clubs, learn about various regions around the globe and hear about student experiences abroad. The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations throughout Brock’s main campus.

    On Tuesday, Feb. 5, sit down for dinner with Brock International Student Ambassadors. The ambassadors have searched St. Catharines to find restaurants that best reflect their cultures and are inviting the University to join them for a meal from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Participants can choose between Latin-American food at Lost & Found Taqueria, Trinidadian food at Soxy’s Trini Takeout or authentic Chinese cuisine at Noah’s Kitchen. More information about each restaurant, including menu options and approximate cost can be found on the Celebration of Nations website. Those interested must RSVP by Monday, Feb 4 using the event’s online registration form.

    Anyone interested in sharing aspects of their own culture with the Brock community will have the opportunity to do so at the International Talent Showcase on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Held from 7 to 9 p.m. in Isaac’s Bar and Grill, the event will include live music, dancing, poetry and stories reflecting the cultural heritage of performers.

    “The event will be a great way for the Brock community to educate their peers about their culture in a fun and entertaining way,” Gruosso said.

    Faculty, staff or students interested in performing are encouraged to sign-up using the online registration form on the event website by Tuesday, Feb 5.

    On Thursday, Feb. 7, the International Centre Global Commons will host a movie night for the University community, with one of four highly acclaimed international films chosen for screening by popular vote. Options include: The African Doctor, Lionheart, Roma andThe Salesman. Voting will take place on Brock International’s Instagram story on Feb. 5, with the winning movie announced the following day. This event is a free to attend with no RSVP required. Snacks and drinks will also be provided.

    “Attending events during Celebration of Nations will truly deepen your understanding of the world outside of Canada,” said Gruosso. “It’s a valuable opportunity to learn more about cultural traditions and values from more than 100 countries on campus.”

    The week culminates with a live performance by Canadian singer-songwriter Amanda Martinez at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) on Friday, Feb. 8.

    Through her music, Martinez blends her unique Mexican and South African roots with flamenco soul.

    Held in partnership with the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts (MIWSFPA), and co-sponsored by the PAC, the concert will feature songs from Libre, the latest album by Martinez, which celebrates freedom of all kinds.

    “We are privileged to be among the first audiences to hear Amanda Martinez’s new album, Libre, live,” said Matthew Royal, Brock’s Department of Music Chair. “It promises to be a lively and entertaining evening, celebrating both musical and non-musical kinds of freedom.”

    Tickets are available online through the PAC website at a cost of $29 for adults, $23 for seniors and students, $13 for children 14 and under, and $5 for high school EYEGO students, plus applicable taxes and fees.

    Brock International will be giving away 10 pairs of tickets as part of an Instagram contest during Celebration of Nations. Follow Brock International on Instagram for complete details.

    Learn more about Celebration of Nations activities by visiting brocku.ca/nations or contacting Brock International Services by email at isa@brocku.ca or by phone at 905-688-5550 x4785.

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  • Suzanne Rochon-Burnett’s contribution to indigenous arts honoured in new exhibit

    published WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017 | by The Brock News

    Before Suzanne Rochon-Burnett passed away, she asked that her daughter Michele-Elise take over where she had left off.

    “She gave me instructions for her art,” said Michele-Elise Burnett. “She said, ‘you’ve been fortunate to see and know this art, but it will be your responsibility to continue to share the knowledge, the teachings and the messages that are being told through our people’s art.’”

    The desire to continue advocating and sharing indigenous art is the driving force behind a new art exhibition opening next week at Brock University’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).

    Daphne Odjig (Odawa - Potawatomi) "In touch with her spirit"

    Daphne Odjig (Odawa – Potawatomi) “In touch with her spirit”

    Brock University, The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts Consultancy are joining together to present Awakening Her Spirit — Select Works from the collection of Suzanne Rochon-Burnett as part of the first Celebration of Nations event.

    The exhibit opens at the MIWSFPA Visual Arts Gallery Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.

    The exhibition follows Suzanne Rochon-Burnett’s journey to empower and support indigenous arts in Canada and globally through a collection of paintings, mixed media, sculpture and personal objects. Curated by Samuel Thomas (Cayuga), the show will feature never-before exhibited original works by Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Beam, Roy Thomas, Vince Bomberry, Simon Brascoupe, Bruce King and more.

    “My mom was an advocate and champion of indigenous art before it was being recognized as legitimate art,” Michele-Elise Burnett said. “She helped build recognition and respect to ensure that indigenous artists were compensated fairly like everybody else. She championed artists and their work and encouraged them to find value in it.” Samuel Thomas, a master bead worker and family friend, will lead an interactive Curator’s Talk on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. “My mother took beading lessons from Sam’s mother,” Michele-Elise explained. “When I told Sam about the Celebration of Nations exhibit of my mother’s art, he was pleased and honoured to help pull it together.”

    Rochon-Burnett was a Métis broadcaster and businesswoman who started her career as a journalist in Quebec. Among her many accomplishments, she and daughter Michele-Elise became the first indigenous Canadians to own a CRTC broadcast license as owner and operator of Spirit 91.7 FM radio in Niagara.

    Rochon-Burnett would also become co-founder and first vice-chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and sat on boards at TV Ontario, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canadian Council of the Arts, among others. In 2002, Rochon-Burnett received an Honorary Doctorate from Brock in recognition of her contributions to Canadian cultural life.

    She has left many legacies, including the Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Scholarship at the University, which has to date helped 18 indigenous students embark on a university education they may have otherwise never had. Fiercely proud of her heritage, Rochon- Burnett has shown that an individual who is inspired can wake up every day and follow and achieve their dreams.

    Awakening Her Spirit is part of Celebration of Nations, a gathering of indigenous arts, culture and tradition set for Sept. 8-10. The gathering features ticketed performances by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, DJ Shub as well as free workshops, performances and teachings all weekend long. The full schedule is available at www.celebrationofnations.ca

    The exhibit continues through Sept. 30 at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts located at 15 Artists’ Common in downtown St. Catharines. Situated on the lower level of the MIWSFPA, regular hours of the Art Gallery are Tuesday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. Additional open hours for Celebration of Nations include:

    Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6-9 p.m.
    Friday, Sept. 8 from 1-8 p.m.
    Saturday, Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    Sunday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Announcements, Department/Centre News, Events, Media Releases, News