The Association des francophones des Kootenays Ouest (AFKO) will makr Canada’s 150th Anniversary with a puppet show that will tour the Kootenays in May and June.
The play will explain in an innovative way the lives of three French pioneers living in Nelson, Crescent Valley and New Denver in the early 1900s. Beautifully made, it celebrates the past as something to be celebrated and from which we can learn much that is still relevant today, says a statement from AFKO .
It said that by their aesthetics, the puppets break through the language barrier and, considering that the show is performed outside, this forces the puppets and their sets to be truly eye-catching. Who could resist a puppet? Shows will be performed in French and in English. The tour will visit Rossland Garden Fest, Kaslo May Days, Castlegar Sunfest, and the Revelstoke, Winlaw and Nelson June farmers market.
“Many talented artists were involved,” the statement said. “Alex Pilon of Nelson wrote and directed the play. Rose-Blanche Hudon of Kaslo created and built the puppets. Angela Schade made the costumes and Thomas Hart, the decor. The actors are Marjorie-Jade Ménard, Justine Gareau Loyer and Vincent Deslauriers. Marjorie-Jade studied theatre and special education. Her love of the mountains and her quest for adventure brought her to British Columbia where she settled and now continues to create. Justine is originally from Lanaudière, Québec. Justine plays with the arts since her early childhood. She has experimented with music, drawing, painting and dance. Always happy to be creative, Vincent divides his passions between poetry, theatre and photography.
Founded in 1986, AFKO’s mission is to promote the French language and culture through various activities including a Christmas event, the Sugar Shack and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations. This nonprofit organization provides, among other services, a library and a community centre in Nelson. This project is funded by the government of Canada, BC Arts Council and Columbia Basin Trust.
For more information and tour dates, please visit the AFKO website at www.afko.ca.
Please click here to view the poster for the event in English.
Cliquez ici pour voir l’affiche pour l’événement en Français
