Artistic Director Sandra Laronde delivers keynote address at the 2009 Blackfoot Arts Awards

October 30, 2009

Sandra Laronde delivers an inspirational keynote address at the 2009 Blackfoot Arts Awards in Lethbridge, Alberta. Organized by the Lethbridge Aboriginal Festival Society, the Blackfoot Arts Awards recognizes artists from the Blackfoot Confederacy for their contribution to Blackfoot identity, pride and inspiration. Award recipients include: Adrian Stimson (Siksika), Eldon Weasel Child (Siksika), Jack Gladstone (Blackfeet), Val Good Rider (Pikani), among others.

Red Sky’s Deep Waters Project in Temagami

April 17, July 21-22, and October 19, 2009

Red Sky's exciting pilot project, the Deep Waters Project, kick started a revitalization of professional arts development in Temagami. Working with the Temagami Artistic Collective, Red Sky's performance of Raven Stole the Sun was the first of four events happening in the Temagami area that generated a ripple of excitement throughout the community.

The Deep Water Project included: (1) two performances of Raven Stole the Sun on April 17, 2009 at the Municipality of Temagami and the Temagami Public School; (2) on October 19, 2009, there was a performance for children at the Laura McKenzie Learning Centre on the Bear Island Reserve on Lake Temagami; (3) a Deep Waters music concert on July 22, 2009 at the Temagami Arena featuring music sensation Shane Yellowbird, and (4) a Music Career Strategies and Voice Workshop for 16 participants on June 21st at the Dream Keepers Café. This event brought together Elders, traditional drummers, musicians, singers, storytellers, theatre and dance artists who are intimately connected to northern landscape and its immense beauty.

Aboriginal artistic talents included singers/musicians The Eight Thunderbirds led by Jamie Saville, and featured eight young men from the ages 21 to 33 from the Bear Island Reserve and Notre Dame du Nord in Temiskaming; the Deep Water Band led by David Laronde featured performers from Temagami, Cobalt, and New Liskeard, and special guest singer Shane Yellowbird from Hobbema, Alberta was featured with two non-Aboriginal Toronto musicians Glenn Baker and Owen Ehgoetz. A post-concert bonfire was held and an informal jam session ensued with community and artists.

The audiences were from Temagami, Bear Island, North Bay, Latchford, Cobalt, Haileybury, New Liskeard Notre Dame du Nord and as far as Mississauga. It included a mix of local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents, Canadian and American cottagers, educators, and tourists. Audiences were very enthusiastic and community dialogues on art, culture, the north and Aboriginal culture, followed many of the programming activities.

Temagami, Ontario

Luminato Reel Series: Tono: Seed 2 Stage

June 7, 2009

A mini documentary on the creation of Red Sky Performance's Tono, a three-country project speaking to the tribal identities of Indigenous peoples, their shamanic histories, and the plains horse cultures of North America and Asia.

Artists from Canada, Mongolia and China in attendance

National Film Board
150 John Street
Toronto, Ontario
11:00 am

Artistic Director in a lunchtime tête-à-tête with Luminato

June 6, 2009

Come hear Sandra Laronde (Founder & Artistic Director of Red Sky and creator of Tono) in a lunchtime tête-a-tête with Chris Lorway (Artistic Director of Luminato). Come hear and learn about the creative fire, process and production of this exciting three-country production of Tono.

ROOTS Flagship Store
100 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Red Sky Soirée with artists direct from Mongolia

June 2, 2009

Mix, mingle and hear local traditional First Nations drummers, MorningStar Rivers Singers, and singers and singers and musicians direct from Mongolia.

Red Sky Soirées are performance cafés that share the appreciation of Indigenous artistic expression, and stimulate the creative fire within all communities.

Native Canadian Centre (Auditorium)
16 Spadina Road
Toronto, Ontario
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Cultivation Event with Red Sky

May 28, 2009

A sneak preview of Red Sky's newest creation. Hear live Mongolian singers and musicians up-close-and-personal' and meet Artistic Director Sandra Laronde, the creative force behind Red Sky Performance and Tono.

Tono is featured as part of the cultural programming of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and will be part of the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.

WNED Buffalo-Toronto loft
477 Richmond St. W. Suite 602
Toronto, Ontario
6:00 pm

Red Sky Soirée with Carlos Rivera

May 20, 2009

Carlos Rivera is a dancer, teacher and choreographer of traditional and contemporary dance. Carlos has been an associate artist with Red Sky for the past nine years.

Red Sky Soirées are performance cafés that share the appreciation of Indigenous artistic expression, and stimulate the creative fire within all communities.

Free Times Cafe
320 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
6:30 pm