This year’s Huron Waves Music Festival is set to shine a spotlight on the lives and contributions of influential Canadian girls and women.
Carolyn Young, the festival’s general manager, shared insights into the theme, highlighting its significance and impact on the programming.
The centrepiece of the festival this year is a collection of original ornamental neckpieces celebrating influential women.
Photo by B. Shakyaver
Among the highlights are two new pieces being showcased for the first time. One honors Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, with a neckpiece that integrates materials like fur, muskox, and metals to reflect her heritage. Another piece celebrates Chantelle Petticlerc, a Paralympian, featuring wheels that symbolize her wheelchair. Young expressed personal connection to some of the pieces, noting how they resonate with her own memories and experiences.
The festival will take place in Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church in Exeter | Photo by B. Shakyaver
The festival also continues its tradition of educational programming. Jowie Taylor, the storyteller behind the Voyageur guitar, has been touring Huron, Lambton, and Middlesex Counties, presenting to over 1,300 students. The Voyageur guitar, an artifact-laden instrument telling stories of Canada, offers a unique way to engage with Canadian history and music.
The guitar is made up of dozens of Canadian artifacts like a ring worn by Rocket Richard or a piece of the roof of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home.
Although the piece has had it’s tour around schools in Huron County, it will also be coming to the Trivitt Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, to be played by guitarist David Usselman – who will be performing classic Canadian hits by the Tragically Hip and Gordon Lightfoot among others.
The festival at it’s core is a celebration of Canadian contributions to art, culture and athletic achievement – and Canadians aren’t known for their national pride.
The festival runs throughout the month of June, with Donald Stewart conducting an exploration of his artistic process and the stories behind his works on June 15.
Photo by B. Shakyaver
Written by: B. Shakyaver