Culture Days: 1st National Congress on Culture May 24, 2013

Culture Days, a 3 day celebration showcasing artists and cultural groups has been growing bigger and better with each successive year. With their largest attendance in 2012, 1.6 million, you can't help but smile and participate.

My decision to participate was one that came easy. Being able to share my art (the Steelpan) with the community was a blessing. Being able to change lives by making a positive impact is a life changer. Whether it's getting someone to smile and enjoy the music, exposing them to the instrument for the 1st time, or having someone pursue the instrument is really cool. I really try to have a positive message for the audience because whether we like it or know it, we are role models for those around us.

This year Culture Days is having the first ever National Congress on Culture with the theme: The Art of Engagement: Finding, Igniting and Keeping Audiences

"Taking place in Toronto, this first annual National Congress on Culture will bring together provocative speakers and panelists, arts and private sector leaders, media influencers, policy makers, funders, artists and cultural practitioners to share insights, discuss and draw lessons from a diversity of experiences, trends, best practices and impacts of public engagement in arts and culture in Canada today."​ -culturedays.ca

I will be in attendence and as well hope to learn, be inspired and make a connection with others that are on the same journey as myself.

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Music Monday

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First Earth-Space Music Monday Concert was held at the Ontario Science Centre. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performed live from space as part of this year's Music Monday concert. Joining school music group, he sang I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) co-written with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies. The entire concert was streamed live courtesy of the Canadian Space Agency.

Jump to 36:30 to see and hear Chris Hadfield making history.​

Pan Fest

Another succesful year of over 800 students participating in the annual TDSB Pan Fest at the Bickford Learning Centre.  more photos to come

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Stop The Cuts

I can't ever think of a time as a young child and not having music incorporated into my school experience. I was fortunate enough to have both vocal and instrumental music while in elementary school. Miss Barr (who later became Mrs. Black) was one of THE most wonderful teachers I had ever met. She was unlike any other teacher. There was a spark -no a THUNDERBOLT within her. Anytime she needed to get the attention of a student, especially when we were outside, she would use her mezzo-soprano range and sing their name with a vibrato. "Suzehhhhhh-eeeeeehhhhtte" CLASSIC Miss Barr. We loved it and loved her. She had a way of making everything we learned about music magical.

I still remember our kindergarten Christmas concert (a few decades ago-I won't get into specifics), not all of us were cast to be ladybugs and fireflies, the rest were part of the choir. Some of us were sad but she let us know how IMPORTANT we and OUR ROLES were and that we were part of the production even though we weren't in costume.  To this day I still remember the song we sang (Angels, Lambs, Ladybugs and Fireflies).

​I also remember in grade 6 learning about rhythms. Miss Barr introduced us to glockenspiels and marimbas. I wanted so badly to be chosen to participate but sadly I was going through a phase of being self-conscious and didn't put up my hand. I still remember the rhythms that she introduced to us that day -Imagine that. That year I also remember not giving my all when I was singing (still self conscious). Well Miss Barr noticed and made a comment on my report card. I wasn't mad because knew I had it in me to do better and so did Miss Barr.

At the end of grade 6 (I think it was grade 6), Miss ​Barr, who was now Mrs. Black (married), was leaving our school to go to another. I was crushed as the other kids were. I never got a chance to tell her how much she meant to me. How happy I felt to be in her class, and how much she enriched MY LIFE. It is because of her I had and still have such an appreciation for the arts, world music and marimbas.

The following year we had a new music teacher. Mr. Sandbourne. He was weird and seemed boring. He didn't have the energy and zest that Miss Barr had. There was one thing though that made him special. He was an avid Beatles fan and when he spoke about them, he came ALIVE. That year I learned all about the Beatles and they earned my respect and appreciation as did Mr. Sandbourne. ​

​My love music has made me who I am today, with the help of hard working, passionate teachers like Miss Barr aka Mrs. Black, Mr. Sandbourne and Mr. T-my instrumental teacher-but that's another story.

Please click to sign the petition to Stop the ​Program cuts in the Toronto District School Board. Click to see larger

Journey of Discovery at OISE

 "Every year, one of the initiatives of the Gifted Program is to organize Journey of Discovery, a conference for Gifted Program students held at O.I.S.E (The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) at the University of Toronto. The purpose of this conference is to expose students to an array of creative workshops and presentations designed and selected to awaken and nurture our students’ potential to become positive, proactive citizens of the 21st century." -Toronto Catholic District School Board Gifted Programs

I am honoured to have been invited for a 3rd year to participation in this initiate of educating and inspiring the students. We had a great time learning about the evolution of the steelpan and creating rhythms. When asked what song they wanted to learn, a student suggested a Bruno Mars song "Just The Way You Are" The students realized they had to listen to each other and work as a team in order to complete their song. What an important & positive song for kids.

"When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are "

Bruno Mars 

 

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Steelpan Workshop for students

The students of Brian Elementary Public School divided into 4 groups to learn about the history and development of the Steelpan. Many had seen the instruments before but hadn't the opportunity to get up close and learn about its evolution.  I had the opportunity to showcase an original "Spider Web Pan" whose design was first presented by steelpan pioneer Anthony Williams in 1953. This steelpan is no longer created for performance.

Suzette showing the  students the Spider Web Pan, whose design plus arrangement of notes in the circle of 5th's style were first introduced by Anthony Williams

Suzette showing the  students the Spider Web Pan, whose design plus arrangement of notes in the circle of 5th's style were first introduced by Anthony Williams

Happy 34th Independence St. Lucia!

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Today I went to City Hall for the flag raising ceremony celebrating 34 years of St. Lucia's Independence. Many gathered on the roof top podium in the bitter cold, and as the flag slowly raised,  we sang the St. Lucian national anthem with pride. We then proceeded to a room within City Hall and listened as ​Consul Generals of CARICOM and city representatives made references to historical events and spoke words of pride, inspiration, and motivation. tbc...

Talent Show presented by International Cultural Bazaar

January 25th Castries Barber Salon was a buzz, not only due to the clippers cutting customer's hair but with people in attendance for the first Talent Night presented by International Cultural Bazaar.

Owner Frank Forde has started this endeavor "with a concern for the unborn. A child is being born every second, and every child being born is our future. There was a discussion one day in the shop about culture and about how unfair we are to different cultures...You know what this world really needs? An International Cultural Bazaar. At the time I was really thinking about the little ones who could really change this world. This past New Years Day it became a reality...I was really proud to know we started it"

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Steelpan makes the cover of WholeNote!!!

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A friend of mine brought over something that just made me jump for joy. A copy of this month's edition of the WholeNote, a Toronto concert goer's guide.

Yes I know, the Steelpan isn't the feature but when was the last time you've seen one grace the cover of a Toronto publication?

If you get a chance pick up a copy of WholeNote, there is an inspiring story about Richard Marsella who's ambitious dreaming came to fruition by helping a community through the power of music.

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Hey everyone, Treble Clef Music School would like to invite you to their GRAND OPENING and 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of their school. They will also be launching their newest entertainment facility MUSIQUARIUM.

When: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3 from 12pm to 6pm for a variety of Opening Day activities!

Location: 21 Regan Rd. Unit A, Brampton, ON.

Cost: FREE!!!

Be sure to attend, it will be a great celebration!

Discover the joy of playing the Steelpan

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Discover the joy of playing the Steelpan. Learn about the history, technique and play a simple song.
Classes offered at Eastern Commerce C.I. through Afropan Steelband.

This year they have added a class for children ages 5-7 as well classes for adults.

If you have always wished that you could play, want to learn, wished your children could learn and are finally ready to stop saying and start doing....HERE IS YOUR CHANCE! 1-2-3-GO!

Congrats on your first workshop with Culture Days!

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"I had fun!" and "Are you coming back tomorrow?", were some of the comments from the participants from this afternoons workshop "Steelpan With Sue" at the Sanderson Library. As part of Culture Days, the 3 day cross Canada event showcases artist and their art and gives them a chance to share it for with the public for free.

The instrument is still pretty new to a lot of people. Sometimes you meet someone that is in total awe and can't understand how the sound is produced. I have had a few people even look for the "button" to see where I turn on the music.

Why did I choose to be part of this festival?

I found it necessary to educate not only through discussion but really wanted the participants to be hands on the instruments. There are so many stereotypes and misconceptions about steelpan. I really wanted those that attended to understand the struggles that people had decades earlier with their instruments and throughout the development of this one.  I guess you can say that I want it to be given the same respect one gives as any other instrument. It's not a "metal garbage can that we've turned upside down, hit with sticks and notes come out of it". It doesn't "only play calypso and reggae music" and isn't "only played by men". This 20th century musical wonder has come a long way and is widely accepted by people all over the world.

Special thanks for making this workshop possible: CultureDays, Dyann from CultureDays, Sung-Min and her staff from the Charles S. Sanderson Library, Ian Jones of the Ontario Steelband Association, L.E.A.P. Branding, Margarette D., Earl L., Wayne D, Isaiah V-D)

Culture Days Workshop is Finally Here!

Hooray, my workshop Steelpan With Suzette​ is finally here!

Hooray, my workshop Steelpan With Suzette​ is finally here!