Event Info
First Nations - First Strings: Celebrating Indigenous Guitar
An all-star showcase of Indigenous guitarists from diverse First Nations
7:30pm - 10:00pm Doors at: 6:30pm
$25 Advance / $30 Door
Event Description
aravan World Rhythms is overjoyed to once again present live music in front of live audiences after another winter Covid hiatus. We launch our return in Victoria with an all-star showcase of Indigenous guitarists/vocalists from diverse First Nations communities, featuring award-winning musicians and songwriters, Jason Burnstick (Cree), George Leach (Stl’atl’imx), Raven Kanatakta (Anishinaabe/Mohawk), and Marty Ballentyne (Cree). They will be joined by local Vancouver musicians, Johnny Walsh on bass, and Michael Simpsonelli on drums.
This concert showcases multi-award winning Jason Burnstick, who has won a 2020 Leo Award for Composer of the Year for Best TV Movie, an Indigenous Music Award, also an Aboriginal People Choice Music Award, and was a JUNO nominee twice over his career. Performing on his original vintage 1920’s Weissenborn lap slide guitar, he always gains new fans wherever he performs. www.burnstickduo.com
Also performing is George Leach, whose soulful voice and guitar playing reflect the beauty of his home territory. He has received several awards including a 2014 JUNO award and 3 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. George’s musical style ranges from blues slide to hard-hitting rock and roll. www.georgeleach.com
Joining the stage of these amazingly talented guitarists is Raven Kanatakta of the JUNO award-winning Digging Roots fame. He’s also a songwriter, producer, engineer, film scorer and music entrepreneur. As a teenager he attended and graduated from the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. With his wife ShoShona Kish, his partner in Digging Roots, they have toured in Europe, the US, Mexico, Australia and Scandinavia. www.diggingrootsmusic.com
Finally, guitarist Marty Ballentyne created one of Canada’s original Indigenous hard rock bands, Breach of Trust from LaRonge, SK that won three awards at the former Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.
This event will be a truly unique and inspiring offering for our region’s audiences and communities.
Venue
1415 Broad Street
Multi-Purpose / Hall
Capacity250
since 2003
In-Person Event
Sun. April 3rd 2022 + Add to Calendar
Victoria Event Centre
