"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people" —Mahatma Gandhi
It is time to celebrate arts, culture and heritage in the Cowichan region with the return of BC Culture Days from Sept. 19 to Oct. 12. The Cowichan Valley Regional District’s Arts & Culture Division are stoked to share all the festivities taking place across the region from Mill Bay to Duncan, to Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith through this national celebration.
"The Arts & Culture Division is thrilled with the community response to the callout for Culture Days activities this year," said CVRD Art and Culture Division services supervisor Laura Stephenson in a press release. "Organizations from across the region are offering unique opportunities to participate in arts, culture, and heritage during this festival. From hands-on, collaborative art projects to theatre shows to educational talks, there are free events for everyone to enjoy. A strong cultural sector is the backbone of a welcoming and inviting place to live. Culture Days offers a chance to try out and experience world-class art, entertainment, and leisure activities for little to no cost at all. The fact that so many people want to get involved shows how invested our communities are in keeping our cultural scene supported."
There will be an abundance of free cultural events across the region for all ages to enjoy from film screenings, to historical adventures, multicultural concerts and even interactive rehearsals.
Get your fingers artsy with the first Cowichan event on Sept. 20 as the Cowichan Valley Art Council leads a hands-on community collage at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan from 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees will contribute to creating a collage on a large canvas. The theme is 'Celebrating the Cowichan Valley'.
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On Sept. 23 the Duncan branch of the Cowichan Library hosts an outdoor book launch herbal workshop with author Sheila Wray and Quw’utsun Elder Della Rice Sylvester. All are welcome to come to the Cowichan Branch Library in Duncan from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to listen to stories, medicinal knowledge and plant wisdom from two worlds.
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On Sept. 24, M’akola Housing Society presents a community talk and film with its screening of Penelakut: Returning to the Healing Circle at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. It will be a time to reflect on the impact of residential schools as the filmmaker takes viewers on a journey as he returns to Penelakut Island 25 years after documenting abuse at Kuper Island Indian Residential School.
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On Sept. 26 it's time to enjoy the magic of multiculturalism through music as the CPAC and Lila Music Centre present 'One Heart, One Mind, One Voice, a
multicultural concert experience rooted in Reconcili-Action and cultural truth-telling. It will bring together Indigenous and settler artists, Elders, youth, musicians, dancers, and storytellers on the CPAC stage from 6:30 to 9 p.m. After the powerful performances a talk will be offered on resistance and reconciliation followed by a Q&A.
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On Sept. 27 glide into culture as the Cowichan Community Centre Arena in Duncan hosts an 'Everyone Welcome Skate' as CPAC invites art lovers to enjoy “The Eclectic Works” Open House in their third floor gallery, where art lovers can meet the exhibition's featured artists: Carmen J Stanek, Colleen Freeman, and Gladys Javorsky.
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Every Child Matters 365 days a year, but Sept. 30 the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, is when the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation of Lake Cowichan will host their 'Every Child Matters' event at Kaatza Adventures located at 8570 North Shore Rd. It will be a day of song, dance, face painting for the kids, food trucks, carving demonstrations and more.
Duncan will kick off Truth and Reconciliation Day with the annual 'Walk With Us' event hosted by Cowichan Tribes. The 1 km march for children will start at Charles Hoey Park at 9:30 a.m. Walkers are encouraged to wear orange. The march will return to the park for guest speakers, performances, food trucks and more. Brings signs and an open heart, say organizers.
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And there are more events in the Cowichan Lake area in October.
On Oct. 5 artist Loretta Puckrin of the Cowichan Lake Arts and Culture Society is holding a watercolour painting demonstration from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cowichan Lake Arts Centre in Youbou.
On Oct. 12 take in a demonstration of “The art of primitive pottery by Rosemary Danaher” from noon to 2 p.m. also at the Cowichan Lake Arts Centre in Youbou.
And finally, the Kaatza Lakeside Players are hosting an interactive rehearsal on Oct. 8 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
“Join us for a unique opportunity to see how a community theatre production comes together. Experience a rehearsal where you will get a taste of acting and creativity,” said organizers. “Prepare for Halloween with our exciting Costumer Locker Sale taking place during this event!”
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These are just a few of the important events taking place throughout the Cowichan region. For a full listing and more information visit Cowichan Celebrates Culture Days online event hub at www.culturedays.ca.
"The hope for people heading out to a Culture Days activity is that they discover a new resource and make some incredible memories to return to," said Stephenson. "There are also three events aimed at bringing together community for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation that I encourage everyone to check out; the first is the film screening on the 23, the multi-cultural, “reconcile-action” concert on the 26 and Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation welcoming everyone to join them for Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30."
