A private Zoom concert by singer/songwriters Leela Gilday of the Dene Nation, and Kym Gouchie of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation

Private event for School District 59

Kym Gouchie Trio - Presented by the Rotary Centre for the Arts and SoundON Virtual | June 5 | 7:30 pm

With ancestral roots in the Lheidli T’enneh, Cree and Secwépemc Nations, Kym Gouchie is fostering change through her music and art. Her music brings awareness to First Nations and women’s issues, promoting reconciliation and community building while reminding us that we are all in this together. Her stories are a testament to the human spirit, weaving together threads of her own journey from personal tragedy to triumph.

Kym’s traditional hand drum, clean, crisp acoustic guitar and full-bodied voice make her a powerful artist. Performing with her trio on June 5th, Brigitte Demeter and Thurein Myint add vocal harmonies, keyboard, and a selection of other instruments to the music.

Traditional First Nations, folk, and country tones alongside poignant and inspirational lyrics capture the hearts of young and old — her genuine and heartfelt performances have a profound and sometimes emotional impact on their audience.

A respected elder-in-training of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, also known as Prince George, BC, Kym is sought after to perform and speak at traditional welcoming ceremonies, cultural gatherings, schools, and conferences. Kym splits her time living in Prince George and the Okanagan.

“Kym Gouchie is an artist who has the ability to momentarily make us feel that time can stand still. Performing with a combination of soulful expression, focused intent, integrity, and artistic depth, Gouchie embraces and holds audiences while imparting messages and truths in songs that need to be heard. Kym Gouchie is a force... As artistic director of the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival I have witnessed Kym Gouchie mesmerize an audience and inspire fellow artists. Kym is a truly unique artist who seamlessly blends the contemporary with the traditional.” ~ Peter North, Artistic Director/Salmon Arm Roots & Blues

This presentation is supported by SoundON, Creative BC, the BC Arts Council, the Province of British Columbia and the BC Touring Council.

This performance will be followed by a Q&A with Kym Gouchie and the Rotary Centre for the Arts Theatre Programming Coordinator, Karma Lacoff Nieoczym. The audience is encouraged to ask questions. This show is presented in partnership with Unicorns.live as a streaming and ticketing partner. The show is available until June 11 at midnight.

The topic of the performing arts community transitioning into a virtual stage has been a point of discussion since the cusp of the pandemic. Plays, concerts, operas, any kind of live show have now taken their seat within the sea of little squares in Zoom.

And while there’s an obvious void for avid concert-goers, performing artists have been induced to take on the task of versing themselves through a new medium.

The Osoyoos & District Arts Council, adding to this virtual stage, is putting together a show on Saturday, May 15 featuring the music of Kym Gouchie, an artist from the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, also known as Prince George.

Gouchie describes her own style as music that speaks to the heart. They often involve hard subjects, like Indigenous women’s issues and reconciliation. Yet she explains that she uses her music as a vehicle to share these subjects which may be difficult to talk about. It’s a mix of folk roots with elements of Indigenous traditional music.

In her experience as a performing artist, she’s been an anomaly in that work is abundant for her. In fact, she’s even had to turn things down because her plate is overflowing.

“I’m one of these very blessed people that haven’t had really any issues with finding work. And I think it’s got a lot to do with the circles that I keep and just being diversified as an artist and having a lot of skills,” explains Gouchie who plays a traditional hand drum, acoustic guitar and sings.

While she is thankful that the virtual platform has been able to connect her to so many people and places while never having to leave her home, it’s come with its new challenges.

“It’s definitely been a huge curve for me. And I’m not nervous for the performance piece. What makes me nervous is the audio,” said Gouchie.

The pivot from live to virtual performances, Gouchie says, has made her hyper aware of the technical aspects of her shows simply because of the inevitable glitches that are bound to happen. People can be forgiving of poor video quality, but if there’s poor audio quality, people just don’t listen to that, she says.

Even after setting everything up, double checking connections and doing sound checks, a slight change or a shift in the room could change the audio input.

The traditional hand drum, for one, has a very unique sound. The drum produces very deep notes that resonate but Gouchie explains that “Zoom does not have an interface or any kind of ability to mix the audio so that it comes through at equal levels.”

“It’s a vulnerable thing to do to put yourself out there in that way. Because if that’s the first time somebody is hearing you, it’s an impression that you’re making, and I’m not sure that everyone is as forgiving with the audio side of things.”

Earl Krushelnicki, director at the Osoyoos & District Arts Council, says that the abundance of virtual performances these days makes it that much harder to draw in an audience. Even when the show is free.

“I’ve talked to performers and they said, early on, because a lot of performers are doing [virtual shows] from home trying to get their fans to give them some money to help them out. He said early on it was very well supported, but it’s dwindled,” said Krushelnicki.

The council currently trying their best to engage the local communities. The last show was in February by Mad Jazz for Valentine’s day. This upcoming show with Gouchie may be the last virtual one they put on.

Gouchie says that people need to be mindful of artists that have been shifting into this virtual space. Just as the experience of the audience changes with virtual shows, the experience for performers has altered just as much.

“I get a lot from the audience that helps to keep my energy up while I’m performing, and this way we are looking into the lens of a webcam—it’s not even a lens, it’s a spot. And we’re trying to engage, give that personal eye contact and use the space and it is hard,” says Gouchie.

“It is the most challenging thing I think to do. But somehow, as an artist, you just figure it out and you do it over and over and over again and pretty soon I’m finding it easier. I’m still not a fan of it. But I’ve made friends with it and it’s better than not performing.”

The show is free for those with a Osoyoos and District Arts Council membership. Others can email odacopa@gmail.com for tickets.

Friday, April 30, 2021 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Omineca Arts Centre 369 Victoria Street Prince George Canada (map) Google Calendar ICS Join us on Facebook Live for some amazing local talent! Brought to you by Gypsy Entertainment Group, Off the Rails Comedy Show, Atmosphere Entertainment, Jennifer Pighin and Ames Design Studio!

Live Music, Comedy, Live Art Auction, Door Prizes and community pride! All proceeds go towards saving OMINECA Arts Centre! Click going for updates on the set list, comedy lineup, and pre-bid on the Auction Items posted in the event link: https://fb.me/e/2sJpamsll

Supported by: Watts Art Academy, Downtown PG, Coldsnap Music Festival, Cariboo Brewing, Two Rivers Gallery and Studio 2880 Community Arts Council.

We are pleased to invite you to attend a 90-minute virtual performance called; Together in Concert: In Solidarity with African Grandmothers. It features a tapestry of Canadian talent from across the country.

It airs onThursday, April 15 at 7:30 pm EDT and the link will be available until Sunday April 18, 2021 at 7:30 pm EDT (72 hours).

We are delighted and grateful that acclaimed Canadian artists, from across this country, are joining together for this unique concert of music, dance, storytelling and drumming. Our host is Jackie Richardson, an award-winning performer for her theatre and music achievements and featuring Steven Page, National Ballet of Canada, David Myles, Stratford Festival and Sheree Fitch.

They will be joined by Canadian talent including: Bridge Brass Quintet, Canada's National Ballet School, the della kit, Feels Like Home, Forte, Genticorum, Joey Landreth, Kids of Note & The Notations, Kym Gouchie, Lorraine Klaasen, The Sojourners, and Sya VanGeest & Nicholas Stoup.

Enjoy the concert!

We represent 160 grandmother groups across Canada who have been raising funds for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation for 15 years.

We hope you will donate, please click here:

https://slf.akaraisin.com/ui/grandmotherspledges2021/t/togetherinconcert

Your donation to this concert is immensely appreciated! It will ensure that the community-based organizations providing vital care programs will be sustainable for the grandmothers, children and adults now living with two active pandemics, HIV and AIDS, and COVID-19. Donations of $20 or more to the Grandmothers Campaign will receive a tax receipt directly from the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Thank you for making a difference!

We greatly appreciate your generosity!

Private School Show

Private Session to engage with the Common Thread Choir and to teach them one of my songs.

With the constant changes in covid safety protocols, please stay tuned for updates on whether this concert will be in person or virtual. Thank you and stay well. http://osoyoosarts.com/event/kym-gouchie-trio/

THIS IS A STREAM TICKET This STREAM premieres on Mar. 5th at 7:30 pm and will remain on sale and be available for 3 weeks. Ticket holders can choose to watch at the time of the premiere or access at any time (and as many times) they wish during the 3-week window.

The Capitol Theatre presents its 6th annual INDIGENOUS CULTURAL CELEBRATION:

As a cultural cornerstone in Nelson, the Capitol Theatre has played an integral role in fostering culture and community engagement through its programming for the last 30 years. During this time, the theatre has embarked on multiple collaborations and more recently has specifically engaged with the community through projects that embrace inclusivity, artistic expression and the subject of reconciliation.

Each year the Indigenous Cultural Celebration event provides the opportunity for local and regional Indigenous dancers, storytellers and musicians to participate in this event and extends an invitation to the community at large to engage in the conversation of reconciliation, to show respect to all Indigenous people throughout the region and to support the acknowledgement of traditional territories in this area.

Kym Gouchie’s ancestral roots are in the Lheidli T’enneh, Cree and Secwépemc Nations, Kym Gouchie is fostering change through her music and art. Kym’s traditional hand drum, clean, crisp acoustic guitar and full-bodied voice make her a powerful artist. Traditional First Nations, folk, and country tones alongside poignant and inspirational lyrics capture the hearts of young and old — her genuine and heartfelt performances in her trio have a profound and often emotional impact on her audience. Her music brings awareness to First Nations and women’s issues, promoting reconciliation and community building while reminding us that we are all in this together. Her stories are a testament to the human spirit, weaving together threads of her own journey from personal tragedy to triumph.

Highlights in recent years include: being one of four featured performers on BC Premier John Horgan’s LIVE online concert at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown; receiving Stingray Music’s “Rising Star” award; performing her songs and interviewing LIVE on CBC Radio’s The Current during a special broadcast on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; having her song “Sister Rain” hit #1 on National Indigenous Music’s Top 40 Countdown; having her song “For the People” chosen and featured on a national CD produced by Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission to educate Canadians about the Residential School Legacy.

Kym is currently working on various projects which include a Children’s Album geared towards resurrecting and teaching her Indigenous language, and she’s writing a one-woman play titled ‘Her Blood Runs Through My Braids’ which is an expose honouring her four Grandmothers and how their lives have taught and inspired her. A respected artist and elder-in-training of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, also known as Prince George, BC, Kym is sought after to perform and speak at traditional welcoming ceremonies, cultural gatherings, schools, and conferences.

Accompanying artist: Brigitte Demeter Recording and performing artist “Brigitte” is a keyboardist/singer/songwriter/producer who is credited on over 40 recording projects with award-winning artists including Kym Gouchie, Mike Gouchie, Leah West, Centrefire, and Dan Rothery. She composes and performs music in a wide range of genres — pop, AC, folk, country, rock and orchestral instrumental. She has appeared on Nashville’s “Starseek” and performed and hosted a stage at the Merritt Mountain Music Fest. Brigitte has recorded/released her own music and played with the classic rock/original band “Wheelhouse” for more than 20 years. She is a regular adjudicator for the Junos and FACTOR.

Accompanying artist: Thurein Myint An eclectic and accomplished artist, teacher, producer, Thurein Myint started his music production career at the tender age of 14 in his family’s analog studio (Musicworld Studios) in his native country of Burma. He’s been a professional songwriter and musician for over 25 years, playing classical and jazz guitar both as a solo artist and in his Jazz trio band (Thurein Myint Jazz Trio) across Canada and overseas. He is a coveted for-hire studio and gigging musician and has served on the committee of the Kiwanis Music Festival, with special designation as Discipline Captain for the Popular Music category. He continues to ply his trade at both local theatres and international music festivals, keeping him in touch with the needs of the audience.

Performance venue:

The Capitol Theatre 421 Victoria Street Nelson, BC V1L 5R2 Phone: (250) 352-6363

THIS IS A STREAM TICKET This STREAM premieres on Mar. 5th at 7:30 pm and will remain on sale and be available for 3 weeks. Ticket holders can choose to watch at the time of the premiere or access at any time (and as many times) they wish during the 3-week window.

The Capitol Theatre presents its 6th annual INDIGENOUS CULTURAL CELEBRATION:

As a cultural cornerstone in Nelson, the Capitol Theatre has played an integral role in fostering culture and community engagement through its programming for the last 30 years. During this time, the theatre has embarked on multiple collaborations and more recently has specifically engaged with the community through projects that embrace inclusivity, artistic expression and the subject of reconciliation.

Each year the Indigenous Cultural Celebration event provides the opportunity for local and regional Indigenous dancers, storytellers and musicians to participate in this event and extends an invitation to the community at large to engage in the conversation of reconciliation, to show respect to all Indigenous people throughout the region and to support the acknowledgement of traditional territories in this area.

Help the Coldsnap 2021 Coldstream Celebrate Our North by joining our livestream to see performances by our very own extremely talented artists Mark Perry and Kym Gouchie!

We are Celebrating Our North with music that will knock your socks off this February 4th at https://coldsnapfestival.com/

https://www.facebook.com/events/2678310479057117