From music to puppetry, the talents of Indigenous artists will be on display right here in Peterborough during the upcoming Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF).
The annual event is unique to the city as it’s the only Indigenous fringe festival “in the known world,” says its general manager, Lee Bolton.
NIFF runs from June 21 to 23 at Trent University. The festival has a full roster with more than 20 performances, special events, family activities, and vendors. Festival organizers recently announced the line-up of artists for this year.
“Of course, I am excited about all the shows, but it’s neat to have been around long enough — four years — to be welcoming back past artists like Josh Languedoc, Juicebox Theatre, and the Centre for Indigenous Theatre,” Bolton told kawarthaNOW.
“I am also really excited to have our first family show with original songs in Anishnaabemowin — Songs and Puppetry with John-Paul Chalykoff,” Bolton noted.
NIFF is being held in and around the Enwayaang building on the east bank of Trent University’s main campus, which is located at 1600 West Bank Drive.
“It’s a unique opportunity for Indigenous artists to share any work they want to,” Bolton shared, noting, there aren’t any festival “gatekeepers.”
“It’s also a special opportunity for folks in Peterborough to check out up-and-coming Indigenous artists. You’ll be able to say you knew them when.”
VIDEO: “And on the Evidence” – Mama D (2013)
This year’s line-up includes the following artists:
- Theatre: Juicebox (Winnipeg), Centre for Indigenous Theatre (Toronto), and Josh Languedoc (Edmonton)
- Puppetry: John-Paul Chalykoff (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Drag: Indigiqueenart (Nogojiwanong)
- Music: Mama D (Toronto)
- Film: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan (Curve Lake First Nation and Saugeen First Nation)
NIFF chooses the artists through a lottery process, which is a customary element of fringe festivals, Bolton said.
The festival team “was thrilled” to pull six live performance companies and a film from this year’s hat, with both local and national artists represented, NIFF noted in a media release. Each company will have multiple performances.
Seeing a full house would be the best possible outcome for this year’s instalment of NIFF, Bolton said.
“There’s nothing better than being sold out, so that’s what I’d wish for NIFF 2024. With 26 performances spread over three days, it would be an amazing thing to see line-ups every time.”
More information about the artists is available on the festival’s website at indigenousfringefest.ca. Organizers expect to unveil the complete schedule in April, with ticket sales beginning in May.
