Building on the success of our 2017 Hip-Hop: First Peoples, New Voices program, this evening will bring together Canadian indigenous artists Classic Roots (Anishinaabe/traditional music/electronic), Cody Coyote (Matachewan influenced hip-hop/electronic) and Natasha Fisher (Ojibway/Aboriginal-influenced electronic pop R&B) with Native American artist Nakotah Larance (Hopi, Tewa and Assiniboine/Hoop Dance).
EVENT PROGRAM
Classic Roots lives in Toronto but carries the spirit of Northern Ontario with him. He acknowledges the importance of community building and shares his passion through upbeat workshops for the soul, which include dance, cultural dance, fitness and DJ workshops. Offered primarily in the Greater Toronto Area, his workshops are served to Northern and other Canadian communities. Optimism is a dominant theme throughout his work and it is a tool to inspire a greater sense of self-confidence in First Nations youth. Specifically, Classic Roots has delivered workshops through Mikw Chiyâm, a program that emphasizes skill-sharing to empower youth through mentoring and support, to reinforce a sense of cultural pride and encourage self-expression.
Cody Coyote was raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and is of Ojibwe from Matachewan First Nation. With his fusion of strong, profound lyricism accompanied by corresponding influential sounds, this Hip-Hop/Electronic artist and songwriter grasps his listeners' attention in various ways and delivers a mesmerizing performance. Cody performs this evening with DJ Protijay.
Nakotah LaRance has danced since age four and is now acknowledged as one of his world’s finest dancers not only in the traditional realm where he works but with an unusual array of five hoops. He has possibly become best known for his groundbreaking fusion of Hip-Hop and Hoop Dance. Born and raised in New Mexico, we are thrilled to have him bring his skillful and unique dance to our stage.
Natasha Fisher has seamlessly blended her pop culture cred with the beauty and strength of her Indigenous culture into indie rock music. Fisher began her artistic journey as a YouTube sensation, racking up over one hundred thousand views of her covers and mashups of artists like Drake, Rihanna and the Weekend. In the past 24 months, she has created music that brings to voice, a unique artistic style - shaped by her cultural and spiritual First Nations’ heritage as well as the painful isolation experienced in Ontario's North. Fisher’s journey of artistic self-discovery is a story of strength and modernity. Her move to Toronto has been formative as it has led to a deeper immersion into her own culture in spite of the distance from her own familial community.
This performance is supported in part by Jewel Members Artivist Entertainment and Jennifer Fisher.
This program is also funded by grants from The California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness) and the Government of Canada.
Artist travel provided by United Airlines.
*All events, program information, and activities are subject to change without notice. Please check regularly for updates.
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