Folklorama al fresco: Indigenous dancers visit St. Vital seniors

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This article was published 16/06/2020 (2287 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Neither COVID-19 nor the sweltering heat could stop a Folklorama group from sharing their culture Tuesday in the festival’s first travelling show of the summer.

Walking Wolf Dancers & Singers danced in their jingle dresses and moccasins at River Park Gardens personal care home for Folklorama At Home. The multicultural festival normally happens over two weeks in August. However, COVID-19 preventative measures have led to the cancellation of the 51st edition of the popular annual event.

Instead, people such as Donna Kovnats are having Folklorama food and entertainment come to them. Kovnats, 90, had a front-row seat to the powwow at River Park Gardens.

“I love a party and I love dancing,” she said, adding her three children have taken her to Folklorama pavilions in the past. On Tuesday, she seemed content to take a seat in the shade and have the culture brought to her.

Her wheelchair was parked on one of the bright orange squares outlined on the ground marking safe social-distancing for Kovnats and about 20 of her River Park Gardens neighbours.

One of the personal care home’s staff wheeled a tray of juice and water around to the seniors, who sat in 32 C heat during the show.

“This year, we’re just getting a little bit more creative so the residents can keep that connection with the community and have that understanding (of culture),” said Shannon Chartrand, the care home’s director.

Chartrand wanted a dance group to help residents celebrate Indigenous awareness week, she said.

The residents were treated to an Indigenous dance group performance last year inside the building. This time, however, the pandemic forced the show outside, appropriately distanced from the audience.

But the culture is shared despite the distanced, said Christian Hidalgo-Mazzei, Folklorama’s agency producer.

“I think the spirit of sharing culture, I don’t think anything can stop that,” he said.

Folklorama announced four new programs May 28 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Folklorama At Home, Folklorama At School, Folklorama At Work and Folklorama At Play.

The programs deliver cultural performances and food to private parties and barbecues, corporate events and other gatherings at any point during the year, booked a couple of weeks in advance.

“Elements of the festival can be brought anywhere,” Hidalgo-Mazzei said.

Appropriate social-distancing measures are imposed at every event.

Alicia Trout, one of the dancers at River Park Gardens, said it wasn’t quite the Folklorama she was expecting to participate in, but it’s still a good way for her to share her culture.

“It’s a game-changer,” she said.

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca