CAMP, DOYLEFEST, AWARDS NOMINATIONS, RECENT SHENANIGANS
HOWDY FOLKS!!
A lot has taken place in last few months, and it is apparent to me that I am in the right place. Working with communities is absolutely the most reward work I do, and these past few months has been revolutionary.
CAMP, which stands for Community Arts Mentorship Programming, is a journey that is just beginning. Taking shape since January 2019, there are some amazing results happening. Tuesday Night Community Drop-In Music Lessons in Stanley Mission, SK, which are offered at the Keethanow Elementary School, is at an all time record high!! With the opening of the gym, and youth workers to interact with the children, parents, grand-parents and guardians can bring their children, and have the space to focus on music lessons while their kids play in the gym. It is a wonderful partnership, and the children can pop-in to see what the adults are up to, as well as show their parents what they have been learning in school to them.
Two members of the community are now mentoring along side the current resident musician, Erik Mehlsen. Erik has been working closely with both the Elementary and High School, and the after-school rock band is coming together. Rumour has it they will have a few songs ready to open up for the local band for the Annual Christmas Concert, which is such an amazing success.
DOYLEFEST, the local music festival I run outside of Asquith, SK at The Eagle Creek Regional Park had it’s biggest year yet. In it’s 5th year it’s finally seen a profit! We raised $4,660, and couldn’t have done without the partnership we had this year with the Regional Park. So far , the funds have sponsored the local incentives for the mentorship portion of the Artist in Communities: Stanley Mission Residency.
And…… wow! I am nominated for an award! The Saskatchewan Music Awards have nominated me for the Industry Achievement Award. Nifty. November 28th the awards will be held in the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon, SK. I’m touched to recognized in this way, and honoured to be living in Saskatchewan where there are such opportunities to pursue community music programming.
That’s it for now! January 2020 will see me in Stanley Mission, Sk for 2 months, where we will continue youth and community programming. If all the cookies crumble in the projected vision I have, we will be operating a week long music camp in partnership with the Stanley Mission Band Council, Elders and Girls Rock Camp Saskatoon. Finger’s crossed, and I’ll keep you all updated on these developments.
So long, and talk to you all soon!