This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of Culture Days, a national celebration offering all Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast an opportunity to immerse themselves in the exciting behind-the-scenes world of artists, creators and historians.
Last year alone, over 1.7 million Canadians participated in over 7,500 free activities in 825 communities across the country in what is now considered a mainstay event in the cultural calendar of almost every Canadian city and town.
“Approaching this fifth anniversary milestone gives us cause to reflect on the remarkable growth that Culture Days has experienced in just a few short years, and the tremendous impact that it is having on individuals and communities throughout Canada,” said Antoni Cimolino, artistic director of the Stratford Festival and chair of Culture Days national board of directors.
“From the astonishing passion and dedication of the volunteers and organizers to the eagerness of the participants, this infectious love of the arts and culture clearly continues to spread to legions of Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”
World musician Boris Sichon is the headliner for this year’s Culture Day event at the ACT in Maple Ridge.
Join Sichon as he take an interactive tour of the world, by linking his collection of exotic instruments to their countries of origin and exploring the music of the world along the way.
Sichon was born in the Ukraine, where he finished Musical High School, in the study of percussion instruments. He left his home town for St. Petersburg to continue his musical education at the Academy of Music. During his studies, he started working with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, under well-known Russian conductors such as Yevgeny Mravinsky, Shostakovich, Badchan, Karapetian and many others.
After graduation form the Academy, Sichon was invited to join the Jewish chamber musical theatre in Moscow as a stage musician and actor.
After six years Sichon left the theatre to work as stage musician, dancer, and singer in the Russian National Folkloric Band. During this period, he had an opportunity to visit and perform in 25 different countries and started to collect traditional local instruments.
His collection now comprises over 200 rare and unique musical instruments. He has been performing in Canada since he moved here in 2004. Culture Day takes place at the ACT in Maple Ridge, Saturday, Sept. 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Culture Day
• Try a new free Creative Fusion art sampler for adults. Explore drumming, water colour, play in the mud, learn some Salsa dance or try your hand at carving soapstone. The event is free but registration is required through recreg4u.ca
• Kristin Krimmel will be offering a free artist demo in the art gallery. Learn more about Krimmel as she shares painting techniques and stories behind the paintings included in her retrospective being held at the Maple Ridge Art Gallery from September 6 – October 11, 2014.
• The Pitt Meadows library will be hosting a Cultural Maker Space on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This after-school, self-directed program will introduce participants to crafts and activities from around the world.