Storytelling Cafe - Sunday May 16th, 5-6:30PM (Old Fire Hall)

The Storytelling Cafe is a community-building initiative that welcomes stories written by women and non-binary folx. We will be gathering stories from artists, storytellers, and community members through the month of April around the theme of generations, resiliency, and family ties. These in-person stories will be presented outdoors and then made available to watch afterwards through a digital recording, allowing Awaken Festival to reach rural communities.  

Performing Artist Residency Showcase - Friday May 21st, 6-7:30PM (Digital over Zoom)

The Performing Artist Residency Showcase is an opportunity for our Performing Artist Residents to show off the beginning stages of their personal projects as part of Gwaandak Theatre’s two-year long residency. 

This residency’s aim is to help develop and further the process of 3 Indigneous creators from rural and remote northern communities working in theatre or the performing arts. Our talented PA residents include Pascale Youkali Ménard, Isaiah Gilson, and Cameron Peele.

Quick n’ Dirty Cabaret - Saturday May 22nd, 7:00PM (Digital over Zoom)

Gwaandak Theatre is excited to present the Quick n’ Dirty Digital Cabaret for a second year! This Festival closing event will be a showcase of what the Quick n’ Dirty Residency artists have learned in their mentorship with talented drag, burlesque, and gender performance artists from around Canada. This mentorship program is aimed to give rural Indigenous, Queer, and IndigiQueer people who may not otherwise have access to mentorship and support.