Monday, March 1, 2010

MASC Artists at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Aboriginal Experiences were selected as the exclusive caterer for the Aboriginal Pavilion, exciting and crazy overwhelming, but not related to our artistic work!

Our dance troupe had the exciting opportunity to perform within the following venues and events:

Four shows at Ontario House – Ontario Pavilion

Two shows at Aboriginal Pavilion

Two shows as part of the Cultural Olympiad, Talking Stick Festival.

One show at Russia House


Daniel Richer says ......


"Salutations to everyone et Bonjour...Kwe. I have the great honour to have been selected as Master of Ceremony for the Francophone Stage at Place de la Francophonie on Grandville Island at the Olympics. An incredible line-up: top acts from french Canada and Europe. We have the biggest stage and room for about 4,000 spectators, plus we show all the important moments like the hockey games on a giant screen. I have also done some storytelling on a few occasions... and the response as been superb. The ambiance is overwhelming and the happy memories will be a plenty... Go Canada Go! Meegwetch" Daniel Richer

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Project with Youth Services Bureau

Front row : Audrey Churgin ED MASC, Alex Munter ED YSB
Back row: Bob Wilson, volunteer OTF, Aileen Carrol MPP; Frank Dyson, volunteer OTF; JP Gagnon, Program Manager OTF, Kathy MacLellan, Chair, MASC, Katherine Stauble, Communications Coordinator MASC


Premier rang : Audrey Churgin Directrice général MASC, Alex Munter ED YSB
Rangée arrière : Bob Wilson, bénévole OTF, Madamme la Ministre Aileen Carrol; Frank Dyson, bénévole OTF; JP Gagnon, Chef de programme OTF; Kathy MacLellan, Présidente, MASC; Katherine Stauble, Coordonatrice des communications MASC


Heads were spinning down at the Youth Services Bureau Drop-In Centre on a recent Friday morning. MASC’s favourite B-boy, Crazy Smooth (aka Yvon Soglo), and three of his breakers gave a rousing dance performance to demonstrate the work they plan to do this spring with street-involved youth.

Thanks to a $90,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and a partnership between MASC and the Youth Services Bureau, four artists will offer a series of hands-on workshops at the Besserer Street centre. The centre’s clients have a variety of physical and emotional challenges, and many are homeless or living in shelters. The arts programs are designed to engage them in productive, creative activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Among those present for the announcement, January 15, were Aileen Carroll (Ontario Minister of Culture at the time), MPPs Yasir Naqvi and Jim Watson, and YSB Executive Director Alex Munter. Ms. Carroll offered her congratulations to the organizers for initiating a project that is “about awakening creativity and celebrating all forms of diversity.”

Our own Audrey Churgin spoke of the kind of “transformational experience” that her organization can bring to youth. Stefan Keyes, also on site, was the living proof: he got his start as a MASC Arts Awards winner, and is now a successful actor and TV reporter.

This arts project will afford the Youth Services Bureau an opportunity to reach at-risk clients through its Drop-In Centre, and offer them other supports, such as crisis counseling, medical and mental health services, as well as support for housing and employment.

Once again, the arts can offer hope, joy, and perhaps a bit of healing.


Partenariat entre MASC et le Bureau des services à la jeunesse

Les têtes tournaient, vendredi dernier, au Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa. Le B-boy chouchou de MASC, Crazy Smooth (Yvon Soglo), et trois de ses breakers ont donné un spectacle des plus chauds pour démontrer le travail qu’ils comptent faire ce printemps avec des jeunes de la rue.

Grâce à un don de 90,000$ de la fondation Trillium de l’Ontario, et un partenariat entre MASC et le Bureau, quatre de nos artistes offriront une série d’ateliers à la halte-accueil de la rue Besserer. Les clients du centre ont une variété de difficultés tant physiques qu’émotives, et beaucoup sont sans abri ou vivent dans des abris. Les ateliers artistiques sont conçus afin d’engager ces jeunes dans des activités de création productrices, dans un environnement sur et sécuritaire.

Parmi ceux qui étaient présents lors de la conférence de presse le vendredi 15 janvier, étaient Aileen Carroll (Ministère de la culture de l’Ontario, à l’époque), les MLAs Yasir Naqvi et Jim Watson, et le directeur administratif du BSJ, Alex Munter. Mme Carroll a félicité les organisateurs d’avoir initier un projet qui vise à éveiller la créativité et à célébrer toute forme de diversité.

Notre directrice Audrey Churgin a parlé du genre d’expérience transformative que MASC apporte aux jeunes. Stefan Keyes, aussi sur les lieux, en fait la preuve : il a débuté comme lauréat d’un prix d’art de MASC, et trouve du succès maintenant comme comédien et reporter à la télévision.

Ce programme artistique donnera au Bureau une occasion d’accueillir les jeunes risqués à travers son halte-accueil, et de leur offrir d’autres soutiens, tells le conseil de crise, les services médicaux et mentaux, ainsi que des soutiens d’hébergement et d’emploi.

Encore une fois, les arts peuvent redonner l’espoir, la joie, et peut-être même un peu de guérison.