Those who are all burnt out from beers and bands after Rifflandia might want to check out a different kind of festival, one that celebrates indigenous culture, art, dance, and other cool-sounding activities.
The fifth annual One Wave Festival is a free event for people of all ages, including storytelling, live art, a community art project, interactive music making, and even a bit of seed planting. Oh, and live bandsŃthey have those too. (Torrey Archer, Pigeon Park, and Party on High Street will do the honours.)
“One of the best things about One Wave is that it’s free. The bang-to-your-buck ratio is out of control,” says Amy Mawdsley, program development coordinator for host group the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP). The event also includes performances by Esquimalt First Nations and Pacific Dance, and storytelling by Juniper Trees and Our Culture Matters, a group of Songhees singers and storytellers, among many other activities and artists.
The PPP is a Canadian non-governmental organization (NGO) and registered charity that has been active since 1975, working with Indigenous peoples, especially youth, in the South Pacific as well as First Nations groups across Canada. The annual event is a way to showcase not only the work being done by the organization, but also the rich culture of these peoples.
“The One Wave Festival brings together our families, communities, and youth in celebration of our Pacific arts, cultures, and environment,” says PPP executive director April Ingham. “This engaging format helps to showcase the importance of our cause and the youth’s own power to contribute.”
The past five years have seen the event change and shift in programming (all the bands last year were of the ska variety), but organizers have always been pleased with the results and the awareness it brings to the Victoria area.
“One Wave has been different every year,” explains Mawsley. “We always have a good turnout, but we would love to see lots of new faces this year. One Wave is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, connecting artists, musicians, local NGOs, and community members.”
And, according to Ingham, the event is a perfect way to celebrate the connections the organization makes throughout the year to help indigenous and First Nations communities address problems such as poverty, environmental degradation, and loss of culture via their own creativity and celebration of culture.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with so many partners through PPP,” says Ingham, “to ensure this valuable space for connecting ideas and solutions remains.”
One Wave
Saturday, September 22, free
Spirit Square
pacificpeoplespartnership.org/onewave2012.html