Drumming and dancing start downtown today

NEWS RELEASE

ECHOES OF THE WORLD INTERNATIONAL DRUM FESTIVAL

************************* Seventh annual Echoes Drum Festival takes place June 18-20

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Bring your own lawn chair and get ready to enjoy the seventh annual Echoes of the World International Drum Festival to be held on June 18, 19, 20, at Clergue Park, in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Echoes of the World Festival is the vision of two Cree women with a mission to promote inter-racial understanding of the many diverse cultures of the world, and the relationship we have to each other and the earth.

“Most importantly, this festival allows us to identify our similarities and our differences through the sharing of traditional music, songs and dance in the spirit of peace and harmony,” says Jackie Fletcher, event organizer, who is excited about the expanded venue of this year’s event.

Echoes' seventh year will be providing educational venues, cultures and resources in a three day-immersion.

Open to all ages, children will enjoy making mini-drums, giant bubbles, shakers and rain sticks.

Food and craft vendors and an array of drumming will keep everyone entertained throughout the three-day outdoor event.

Drum circles will take place throughout festival, with facilitators available to teach people how to drum.

There will also be healing arts and visual arts displays to enjoy.

Half-Pint Hooves will also be on the grounds on Saturday to demonstrate their service to people with special needs.

Come and immerse yourself!

New this year, the festival will move to the Grand Theatre for an indoor show tonight (Thursday, June 18) beginning at 7 p.m.

Marlene Syrette will present an Ojibway production, followed by Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq at the Grand Theatre at 641 Queen Street East.

Tickets will be required for this portion of the festival and cost $20 for the two shows.

Tickets can be purchased at the theatre after 5 p.m. or by calling (705) 575-5687.

From 10 p.m. until 2 a.m, there will be the Sunset Drum Circle to honour the summer solstice.

This portion of the evening has free admission and everyone is invited to participate with or without prior drumming experience.

Both the Algoma District School Board and the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board are sending several school to participate in the educational trail taking place on Thursday and Friday.

Students will be transported by bus to Clergue Park from several schools within the community on Friday morning and afternoon to learn about different drums and drumming traditions.

A full schedule is posted on the website.

During the three-day festival, performers include:

- Akwa Gummi, First Nation drum group

- Akwaba, traditional African dance and music voyage

- Bhang Lhassi, rrum facilitator from Sault Ste. Marie

- Healing Lodge Singers, Women hand drummers/singers

- Jeff Stewart, drum facilitator/performer

- Kenn Lewis and friends, steel drums

- Marlene Syrette: Wawatay Neemeewin production including a narrated venue of six regalias and Drum War for Princess

- Metis Dancers

- Missanabie Cree Cloggers, Family and friends

- Mocombo, Jazz group with congo drums

- Sean Jesseau, Drum facilitator/performer

- Sheila Bruner, fiddle accompanied by Irish (bohran) drum

- Tanya Tagaq Inuit throat singer, accompanied by violin, oboe and drum

- Waasayskun husband and wife, duo with drum and guitar, and

- Bonnie Baranski, labyrinth blanket.

Thank you to the following event sponsors: Adults in Motion, Algoma University, APC Fresh Start, Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie, Batchewana First Nation, Bud Robinson’s Used Cars, Celebrate Ontario, City of Sault Ste. Marie, Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Maries, Days Inn, Essar Steel, Garden River First Nation, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, Kiwanis, Lemay's Decorating Centre Limited, Miramar Design Studios, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Mystic Messages, Mushkegowuk Council, Neech-Ke-Wehn Homes, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Royal Bank, Sault College, Sault Ste. Marie Museum, Soo Tent and Awning, Stone’s Office Supply, Tarp Farm, the Station Mall, USWA Local 2724, White Pines High School.

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