A weekend filled with cultural performances by groups from all over the Lakeland wowed audiences.
The Lyle Victor Albert Centre was a celebration site for Alberta Culture Days this past weekend, showcasing performers intent on sharing with the community what the area has to offer.
“We were just thrilled at the response of people to see the beautiful performances that were given to see the range of cultures that we know and appreciate here in Bonnyville,” said president of the Bonnyville and District Fine Arts Society Pat Perry.
In partnership with the Kehewin Native Dance Theatre, the Bonnyville Fine Arts Society hosted their first Alberta Culture Days events after receiving a grant from Alberta Tourism.
“We wouldn’t have done it at all if we didn’t have the grant money,” explained artistic director for Kehewin Dance Theatre, Rosa John. “Thank God for the Culture Days grant. Plus, they were very open to whatever we wanted to do... They didn’t label it as something you had to do, they left it open (for us).”
Groups participating included the Kehewin Native Powwow Dancers, Kryla Ukrainian Dancers, the Bonnyville Singers, and Filipino pianist Anna Maria Manalo.
“It’s a chance for people to find out what’s happening in the community, to find out about the wonderful Kryla dancers and that people can join the Bonnyville Singers if they love to sing... One wonderful thing after the other,” Perry detailed.
Along with the stage performances, hoop dance workshops, Tipi storytelling, and arts and craft vendors were on site throughout the weekend.
“Talk about a mix of wonderful cultures, and audiences,” expressed John, adding that the number of attendees changed throughout the weekend.
Attendee Jennifer Vermillion went to suport the event, and learned about some of the cultural groups on the area.
“I think we don’t celebrate culture and the different cultures enough in Bonnyville. Especially, you have your different groups, to see it all in one place was really cool,” she said.
While she enjoyed all of the performances she saw, there was a highlight in the day for her.
“We really liked the Ukrainian dancing... My daughter was dancing and watching, she couldn’t contain herself anymore,” she laughed.
The variety of entertainers was meant to offer people the chance to “discover, experience, and celebrate arts” as part of the Alberta Culture Days event overall.
“Culture makes us strong, and being confident in our own culture and out of our own culture and appreciative of others, it makes our country strong. It means a lot to me,” Perry expressed.
Perry noted the Fine Arts Society hopes to host more Alberta Culture Days celebrations in the future because it’s a worthwhile event that “perfectly lines up with our values.”
