The Soil's rich with talent
Marhsal Hignett

Issue date: 3/22/11 Section: Arts & Life

In the Soil is Niagara's annual home-grown arts festival, and it is entering its 3rd year of celebration this April.

The idea was concieved and founded by Jordy Yack, Sarah Palmieri, Joe Lapinski and Annie Wilson. The group of friends all grew up around St. Catharines or went to school at Brock University and firmly planted themselves within Niagara's art, music and theatre scene.

"It started as an informal conversation among friends about how there wasn't a cool showcase for all the amazing art that's happening in Niagara," said Annie Wilson.

"The four of us got together and started brainstorming what we could do. It [originally] was going to be a one night event up at Centre for the Arts' Sean O' Sullivan Theatre to showcase cool music, but as we started to develop the idea further, we realized that we can't just showcase music."

All four of the co-founders have unique skills and experiences that enable them to bring different elements to In the Soil. Yack is a music journalist and promoter, Wilson is the General Manager of Suitcase in Point Art Performances, Palmieri is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Centre for the Arts and Lapinski is an interdisciplinary artist and musician.

"I have a theatre hat and there's some amazing theatre happening here - and what about the media, the film and all the amazing art?" said Wilson. "So we thought, 'Let's create a multidisciplinary showcase'. We're now in our 3rd year, and there was a lot of successes in the first two."

One notable change to the festival this year is that it will be concentrated over five days - rather than spread over a couple weeks. Last year, In the Soil grew to include theatrical performances as well as art and video installments around the downtown core. These features have continued, along with even more diverse multidisciplinary installations, all squeezed into an exciting weekend.

"There were three theatre showcases last year, as well as a huge focus on media and digital art," said Wilson. "We utilized the corner of St. Paul St. and James St. for some of the big things that came out of last year, and they are still incorporated this year."

There are also several interesting new events and exhibits happening within the festival this year. One artist is creating 'yarn-bombs', in which the artist will be knitting and crocheting covers for downtown objects like parking meters and tree branches.

Also, the final day of In the Soil will conclude with a great combination of breakfast, beer and bands.

"I'm personally excited about the Rock-N-Roll Brunch, that is happening Sunday, May 1 - the last day of the festival," said Wilson. "We are working with The Merchant Ale House to put on a really cool outdoor licensed event, so people can come out to have flapjacks and beer while enjoying some music."

"We are also asking bands that are playing [the festival] to make a breakfast or brunch item themselves - a bit of culinary rock 'n' roll in there as well," said Yack. "It's an idea borrowed from Halifax Pop Explosion - with our own little spin on it."

Although the majority of In the Soil will feature local arts and culture from the Niagara area, the festival is not necessarily limited to those living in the region. Applicants may include bands and artists that were prior residents, or who were somehow inspired by the St. Catharines area.

"We ask artists that apply to have some kind of connection to Niagara. Maybe they went to school here, lived here, grew up here or they think of Niagara as a second home," said Yack. "The way we see Niagara is not necessarily within its borders."

In the Soil is an all-encompassing arts festival, which is not restricted by genre or age demographics. It is an inexpensive way to enjoy a lot of remarkable art and support the blossoming music scene in St. Catharines.

"We made a political choice to stay in this community [because] not all of us are from here. Most of us went to Brock, and we chose to stay and build our careers as artists [in order] to help start a scene," said Wilson.

"We planted a seed that we really feel is taking root. There is a true unique voice of art-making that is happening here."

In the Soil runs from April 27 to May 1, for more information visit inthesoil.on.ca