August 14th-16th, 2020 at the St. Norbert Arts Centre

Featuring Indian City - Super Duty Tough Work - and many other artistic friends of Gerry Atwell

Recent events around the globe have helped to refocus everyone’s attention on cultural equity. Many of us are asking ourselves “What would Gerry say”? Gerry Atwell’s work as a multi-disciplinary artist was dedicated to expressing the Black Canadian experience and the empowerment of others in need. GerryFest is dedicated to the journey of Gerry’s life and how we as a community of caring friends and family can continue that work to finally end racism.

GerryFest is a fundraiser for the Gerry Atwell Memorial Mentorship Endowment Fund - dedicated to encouraging young people of diverse backgrounds, who many not have opportunities and access to pursue their artistic dreams. Just as Gerry did throughout his lifetime. This fund is being held in trust at the Winnipeg Foundation through the St. Norbert Arts Centre.

September 10 – Scott Nolan & Richard Inman – emerging first nations singer-songwriter, Richard Inman, alongside mentor and revered veteran of the roots music scene, poet and songwriter Scott Nolan.

October 15 – Heather Stewart – local violinist, who has performed internationally and nationally and locally at the St. Norbert Farmer’s Market. Other local musicians will perform alongside Heather to round out the evening.

November 19 – The Broken Song Band – features novelist, playwright/singer/harmonica player Margaret Sweatman, composer/guitarist/pianist/songwriter Glenn Buhr and bassist Gilles Fournier. The band will be performing some recent music and launching their new CD, High and Lonesome Songs, which was recorded in isolation during the spring/summer lockdown.

The title of this dance production is “Matope”, meaning ‘mud’ in Swahili language. This dance piece was inspired by the mystic tale from the Makonde people of northern Mozambique and south of Tanzania. Matope is the spirit that comes from muddy land in Namaua village where at sunset this spirit comes out and pays a visit to the villagers. Its entire body is covered with mud and it is carrying dry tree branches and trunks. Of course, the Matope spirit is unknown to the villagers and therefore it creates fear.