H’ART OFFERS KINGSTON GROUPS A CHANCE TO MIX AND MINGLE WITH CREOLE CHOIR OF CUBA WORKSHOP TO HIGHLIGHT THE BOX’S COMMUNITY OUTREACH POTENTIAL
H’art Centre invites community organizations that serve marginalized groups to join them at a workshop delivered by the Creole Choir of Cuba on Monday, September 9th from 10-11:30 a.m in The Box, H’art’s inclusive performing arts space. The choir will discuss the barriers they have overcome to produce their art and explain the origin of a few of their most popular songs.
The Creole Choir of Cuba is a group of singers that celebrate the history of their Haitian descendants enslaved to the Caribbean from West Africa. The Creole Choir’s ten remarkable singers come from Camagüey, Cuba’s third city, down towards the eastern end of the island. They grew up and studied music in this old colonial town, designated a UNESCO World heritage Site in 2008 for its colonial architecture. They have nurtured music passed down in their families since the early 19th century, gradually adding modern Haitian sounds following their own first visit to a Haitian festival in 1996.
The Choir is performing at the Stratford festival on September 3rd and then traveling to Kingston to take part in the Kingston Multicultural Arts Festival (KMAF) on September 8, 2013. During KMAF, the group will perform Confederation Park from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The H’art Centre workshop will extend their stay and broaden their reach to groups serving those with physical, financial, intellectual or social barriers to inclusion in the arts.
“This opportunity was brought to our attention through a new relationship with Immigrant Services of Kingston and Area,” said H’art Centre’s executive director, Katherine Porter. “We got the ball rolling this summer by offering a program for immigrant youth in The Box, our performing arts space. They saw the space and knew it was perfect for this kind of inclusive community arts experience.”
The Box is a 100+ seat flexible performing arts space that supports, promotes and advances a diverse and inclusive population within accessible performing arts experiences. H’art Centre uses the space to encourage community collaboration, audience development and public engagement.
The Community Foundation of Greater Kingston and Green Shield Canada Community Giving Program made the summer program and this workshop possible.
Contact us to learn how your organization might take part. Tickets are free but donations are welcome. Reservations are required.