Local artists Vik Mudge and Skye Rogers will be shining in the provincial spotlight for this year's Ontario Culture Days. They have officially teamed up to become retrograde: dance in motion, and will be bringing their project "Composing Community" to St. Catharines. Commissioned as part of Ontario Culture Days' Creatives in Residence series and presented in partnership with the City of St. Catharines, "Composing Community" encourages community members to get out, get creative, get moving, and ask themselves what it means to be a part of a flourishing community landscape. Over the course of Culture Days, Vik and Skye will be hosting three workshops as well as a performance of their new work "Community Garden", that is being developed throughout the festival and features local artists and performers.

More about Vik and Skye in their own words:

Vik Mudge

Vik Mudge (they / he) is a trans non-binary dance artist, choreographer and instructor living on Treaty 3 territory, in the city colonially known as St. Catharines. Vik often finds inspiration in unexpected ways; combining a love for visual art and music with a desire to mix the worlds of dance and theatre, resulting in multi-dimensional experiences for audiences. Through the creation of their own short film "<3" (2023) and new dance works like "The Body and The Brain" (2023), Vik has discovered that the pulse of his creativity comes from telling raw and authentic stories through community and collaboration.

Skye Rogers

Skye Rogers (she / her) is a multidisciplinary performing artist and leader, born and raised in the Niagara Region, now based in Hamilton. Rooted in the creation and facilitation of movement and theatre, her creative practice is dearly devoted to making spaces for people to feel at home. Skye is a graduate from Brock University (Arts & Culture, 2022) and Randolph College for the Performing Arts (Triple Threat, 2019), and is a proud alumni from the RBC Apprenticeship with Musical Stage Co. (2023-24), and Suitcase in Point's Nest Residency (2022). Skye makes much of her own work, and is recognized for her collaborative and wholehearted approach to her process. She has produced a series of community movement workshops, "Dance & Movement Days" (2023-24), is the choreographer for the play, "SAMCA" (2024) and in the beginning stages of devising a new community-engaged play, “Homeward” with collaborator, Kosar Dakhilalian.

Composing Community - Culture Days Project

Instagram

Skye's Website

Culture Days in St. Catharines!

Join us from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13, 2024, as we celebrate Culture Days! This nationwide initiative unites creators, artists, community groups, and institutions to offer a diverse range of free live and virtual performances, workshops, and events to the public.

Stay tuned as we continuously add more events.

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Call for Community Organizers

Are you hosting a free or pay-what-you-may arts and culture event during Culture Days? We'd love to hear from you. Let us promote your event as part of our regional and national campaigns.

Email Us

SCCIP - Upcoming Webinar

Join us for a virtual information session on the 2024 SCCIP Development Program grants.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Whether you're looking for a first-time overview or a refresher on the Arts Development and Culture Builds Community Programs, this online session will help get you off to a good start. Cultural Services Staff will give a short presentation on the programs and answer your questions.

Reminder!

The fall submission deadline is Sept. 19, 2024. SCCIP application materials and forms are available online.

The Festival Program is for professional festivals that have a significant impact on cultural tourism and the local economy.

The Arts Development Program and Culture Builds Community Program offer project-based grants to support diverse cultural activities and art forms.

Local Happenings

Accidental Details: A Creative Walk

Saturday, Sept. 7

10 a.m.to noon, rain or shine 

Meet at MIWSFPA Lobby at 9:45 a.m. 

Artist Marc-Alexandre Dumoulin leads us on a creative walk in the immediate vicinity of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. Participants are invited to document apparently insignificant details they will notice on the way in any creative form they feel comfortable with (drawing, creative writing, sound recording, photography). 

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Annual Niagara Falls Night of art set for Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

The City of Niagara Falls is set to host the 13th Annual Night of Art event on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Traditionally hosted at the Niagara Falls History Museum, Night of Art will expand its footprint to The Niagara Falls Exchange (5943 Sylvia Pl.), the City’s new arts & culture hub, located adjacent to the History Museum (5810 Ferry St.).

The free admission event offers a super-packed evening filled with art, live music, video, art installations, fabulous artisanal work, vendors, food & licensed beverages, and more. 



Event Details:

• When: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
• Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• Location: The Niagara Falls Exchange (5943 Sylvia Pl.)

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Niagara Regional Native Centre's

Nurturing Our Roots

Traditional Pow Wow

Saturday Oct. 5, 2024

Doors Open: 11 a.m.

Grand Entry at noon

Meridian Centre

1 Icedogs Way St Catharines, ON

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The Foster Festival Presents:

Time & Tide

Oct. 4 to 13

Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College

Time & Tide explores the push and pull of love and the challenge of finding your place with and without family. All told through the keen lens of the beloved Newfoundland sense of humour.



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Calls and Opportunities

Employment Opportunity:

Executive Director

Applications due Sept. 4

RAiN is seeking a Director to lead the re-establishment of a public art gallery for the Niagara Region. This role requires a strategic and experienced museum professional to inspire and guide the Board, staff, arts community, civic leaders, and visitors. 



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Call for Artists: Art Crawl

Submit by: Sept. 22

RAiN is calling for submissions from artists interested in taking part in a one day installation as a part of a Downtown St. Catharines Art Crawl taking place during Ontario Culture Days on Oct. 11, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. We’re looking for submissions of original art to be displayed throughout Downtown St. Catharines, all artists selected will be paid an honorarium.

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We want to help you get the word out about your upcoming arts and culture events, programs or helpful resources. Email us at: culture@stcatharines.ca.