Tiny Lights Festival ignites Creativity with the return
of it’s Artist Development Series
Fall/Winter 2021
The Tiny Lights Team, formed around the popular Tiny Lights Festival in the tiny Kootenay town of Ymir, BC, has been quietly working behind the scenes, doing the deep work of reflection while continuing to support equity and systems change in the BC arts landscape. While the Tiny Lights ‘festival’ component of the non-profit organization has been on hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, this turn of events has led The Tiny Lights Team to a new intimate way to be connected, close, and creative in 2021. In an innovative approach to skill and knowledge sharing, Tiny Lights artists offer their music and mentorship to the wider arms of the BC cultural scene. Awaken from winter and ignite your creativity.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO APPLIED FOR OUR FALL SERIES. THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING, WHICH SPEAKS TO THE NEED FOR ARTIST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
All applicants should have received a confirmation email on November 2nd, if you did not receive this email, please check your “spam” folder. We will be letting all applicants know either way in the next few weeks. Thank you again for all of your incredible applications, we are looking forward to welcoming more people into our Tiny Lights Family.
The Rhythm of Funny: Writing Comedy Songs with Shirley Gnome
In this workshop, you'll marry songwriting structures with comedy joke writing. Tips and advice on cultivating your own signature style will also be explored. Get prepared to share your newfound hilarity during an in-the-round with your new community of collaborators!
6 pm - 8 pm Monday, November 22 and 29, 2021
Demystifying South Asian Music with Mohamed Assani
Whether you are a percussionist, instrumentalist or vocalist, if you want to deepen your knowledge of Raag and Taal - rhythm and melody in South Asian Music, this course is for you! Learn how to play in complex time cycles, like 7, 9, and 10; grow your confidence in cross-rhythms, and acquire skills in rhythmic vocalization and counting techniques.
6 pm - 8 pm on November 29, 30 and December 2, 2021
Try Songwriting for a Change with Tariq Hussain
We’ll explore the craft of lyric writing, in this style, through close listening, discussion, experimentation, collaboration, and practice. Dig deeper into the genre of protest /commentary songs and prepare for the completion of your song that you will present to the rest of the group on the final evening.
6 pm - 8 pm on December 10, 11 and 12, 2021
Nature and We: models for creativity, justice and collective resilience
with Khari Wendell McClelland
Together we will investigate how nature and natural systems might influence our creative process and work. I believe nature holds a deep repository of wisdom for how we might approach creativity and life
6pm - 8pm November 26, 27 and 28, 2021
What to Give and What to Hold Close with Rachael Cardiello
A conversation on writing from a therapeutic lens and an exploration of what we choose to bring to the stage. We will take a look at the necessity of creating versus the art of sharing and the murky waters where these areas overlap.
6pm - 8pm November 19, 20 and 21, 2021
Applications are open to individuals who identify as professional musicians/performance artists with a minimum of 2 years of experience in their craft. To eliminate application barriers we are also offering verbal and video applications.
past ignites series - Summer 2021
“This work takes time, and we recognize our privilege and complicity in the existing model and our responsibility to foment change. We also know that we are a very small and agile organization and can do bold things. Our first step is changing the way we deliver on the funding our organization has received by putting the power back into the hands of performers to choose what they want to present, instead of as presenters telling the artist what we require of them.” - Carla and Shawn Stephenson-Founders and Directors of the Tiny Lights Festival and its parent organization, Renascence Arts and Sustainability Society
Inaugural ignites series: september 2021
TINY LIGHTS FESTIVAL IGNITED ITS ARTIST DEVELOPMENT SERIES
Last September we were able to offer a series of professional development workshops for artists. In this challenging time, artists have been deeply affected by isolation and lack of communtiy. These workshops offered authentic community building opportunities, they also allowed rural artists to access mentorship from estabilshed artist from around the province.
This project is produced with the generosity of:
