2023/24Pops
The Spirit Horse Returns
Holly Mathieson, conductor
Ken MacDonald, horn, narrator
Jodi Contin, singer & story teller
Rhonda Snow, visual artist
Kevin Lau, composer
Elder Myeengun Henry, knowledge keeper
The Spirit Horse Returns is a captivating orchestral concert production that seamlessly blends traditional Indigenous teachings, stunning visual art, and a rich orchestral score to tell powerful stories and legends of the Ojibwe Horses.
The production is a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous co-creators, including Métis artist and Ojibwe Horse breed expert Rhonda Snow, songwriter Jodi Contin (Wasauksing First Nation), composers Kevin Lau (a first-generation Canadian) and Andrew Balfour (of Cree descent), and writer and performer Ken MacDonald (an eleventh-generation settler).
This concert includes pre-performance events
- Due to the rain, the meet and greet with The Aspen Horses Sanctuary is unfortunately canceled. The concert will run as normal. Visit with two Ojibwe Spirit Horses, Takona, (I hold him) and Odamin (I play), from 5 – 7:30 PM from Aspens Horses Sanctuary and learn more from the caregivers about this critically endangered horse. No ticket is required to come and meet these horses and their caretakers. This meet and greet is dependent on the weather but is currently RUNNING.
- Meet Anishinaabe artist Rhonda Snow, who will also have a selection of original art and reproductions available.
- 7:00PM pre-concert chat with the creative team of The Spirit Horse Returns.
- Post-show Sharing Circle in the lobby led by Elder Myeengun Henry.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.