Getting Dirty With The Soil

Calling all artists! Are you a singer, painter, violinist, dancer, filmmaker, comedian, hip–hop artist, DJ or thesbian? The time to apply to In the Soil: Niagara’s Homegrown Arts Festival is fast approaching. The deadline for performing artists is January 30, while the deadline for visual artists is on February 23.

Here’s the lowdown on what is considered to be Niagara’s freshest new festival and quite the undertaking, one might add. The festival came together out of the ashes of a one–day mixed arts show. “Brock University presented an event called Niagara Weave, showcasing Niagara’s local artists. Last February 2008, I got chatting with Annie Wilson (Suitcase in Point Theatre Company) and Joe Lapinski (Yummy Recordings) at one of our events as we collectively were all very interested in reviving Niagara Weave and wanted to produce a juried local arts showcase.” explains Sara Palmeri, the Sales and Marketing Manager at Brock Centre for the Arts. “Deb Slade, the Centre’s Director wholeheartedly agreed and we immediately chose a date for the showcase to happen in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre (April 23, 2009) and In the Soil: Niagara’s Homegrown Arts Festival was born!”

The festival is more than just a one–night showcase of talent, in fact, the festival plans on showcasing 60 artists in one week of events. The Thursday, April 23 performance will give amateur and upcoming artists a chance to perform in the Sean O’Suliivan Theatre with some higher profile artists; it all depends on who applies!
Now you might be asking yourself, “What’s the catch?” The organizers insist there is no catch. This festival isn’t a competition, it’s not about being better then anybody else, it’s simply a showcase to promote all kinds of arts in the region. “This is an opportunity for the first time in this area to connect the dots between different art forms within the landscape of Niagara,” the festival’s website explains.

There’s no application fee, filling out an application is easy and each performing artist doesn’t necessarily have to live or have been born in Niagara. As long as they can explain their connection to the region, then they will be considered for the festival. “This festival is about celebrating the artistic talent of artists who live, play, work or are connected to the Niagara Region, regardless if they are just starting out or if they are established professionals. We are looking for submissions in the following categories: music (of any style be it hip–hop, classical, popular, folk, rock, metal, etc.) theatre, dance, djs, short film, spoken word, comedy, multi–disciplinary arts, and more.” maintains Palmeri, one of the event’s co–ordinators.

On top of having an open call for performing artists, In the Soil: Niagara’s Homegrown Arts Festival has also co–ordinated with the City of St. Catharines’ Public Art Advisory Committee to include a Visual Arts component. It’s the city’s 5th annual juried art exhibit and is called “Escarpment: On the Edge.” “Applications are available through inthesoil.on.ca or at stcatharines.ca, click “culture” and are due on February 23, 2009. The festival will also be partnering with Stega Café to coordinate an “Art Under Glass” exhibit during the festival. More info on this initiative will be available on the website soon!” beams Palmeri.

“Through many subsequent meetings and discussions, the event has planted roots in the community and grown beyond the capacity of what could be presented in one performance. Many opportunities and partnerships have arisen and there was an obvious need for additional events in the downtown core,” insists Palmeri. “Since then the list of organizing partners has grown and includes Brock University’s Centre for the Arts, Suitcase in Point Theatre Company, Yummy Recordings, Pulse Niagara, The Downtown Association, the St. Catharines and Area Arts Council and the City of St. Catharines. We are all very excited about the buzz that has been created and proud to support this event in hopes that this will grow into an annual festival.” P

[JORDY YACK]