Nearly one hundred years ago, Canada’s “First Lady of Folklore” Helen Creighton set out to collect traditional songs from seven cultures in Nova Scotia: Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Acadian, Irish, Scottish, German, and English.
On February 15th, 7pm, Aureas Voces will present a concert featuring seven contemporary musical stars descended from these same cultures. The artists will share songs and stories celebrating Nova Scotia’s diversity of cultural heritage, while also orienting us towards the future. The lineup of musicians crosses cultures and genres, and includes Juno nominated Cassie and Maggie, ECMA nominated Raymond Sewell, SOCAN Young Songwriter’s award winner ZAMANI and Symphony Nova Scotia's Celeste Jankowski and Hilary Brown.
The virtual concert will be hosted by Halifax-based journalist Kyah Sparks and is a fundraiser for the local charity Youth Art Connection. The concert will be streamed via Facebook Live and YouTube live through Youth Art Connection’s channels.
Says Nick Veltmeyer “While the pandemic has been tough on young artists, it has also been an incredible opportunity for us to engage with so much talent that has moved home during this time. I’m extremely proud of the work we have done together so far and can’t wait to share this very special concert with Nova Scotians on February 15th. I believe that Helen Creighton’s title as the “First Lady of Folklore” has two meanings. One is obvious-that she is the foremost collector of folklore in Canada, but the second points to the idea that she is only the first - the first of many. The work of collecting, curating, and celebrating cultures and our diversity is up to all of us.”