DAREarts Atlantic First Roots Community Show With Artist Alan Syliboy

INDIAN BROOK FIRST NATION, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - May 6, 2014) - DAREarts Atlantic

From May 5 - 9, Aboriginal students from Indian Brook FN will join Mi'kmaq and non-Aboriginal students from Milford, N.S. for a DAREarts bridging program that explores Mi'kmaq heritage using the arts as a way to deal with inter-racial bullying. Inspired by Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy's paintings and their own cultures, the children will create a theatrical piece with shadow puppetry, projected art, soundscapes and song, that instills in them empathy, empowerment and leadership. The two schools participating are L'nu Sipuk Kina'muokuom and Riverside Educational Centre.

DAREarts First Roots Lead Artist/Educator Mi'kmaq Cathy Elliott will be joined by Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy and Atlantic Lead Teacher Trish Gibbon, assisted by teachers from the two schools. Syliboy will lead the students through acrilyc painting, which will be incorporated into the performance as projections and set pieces, Elliott will create a new song with them, (see last year's music video - created by the LSK students for their song, Melkikno'ti,) which will be performed along with the shadow play.

Cathy Elliott: "This is a bridging arts education program that will enable the students to find the spark that inspires them to learn, forge new friendships and give them the confidence to use their voices to create stories that have meaning, not only for themselves, but for their communities."

DAREarts thanks its key supporters: Lead sponsor Northbridge Insurance, Atlantic Region Sponsor Scotiabank, Project Supporter RBC Foundation and for educational materials, Halifax Home Depot.

The Showcase will be presented at L'nu Sipuk Kina'muokuom (LSK) 579 Church Street, Indian Brook First Nation, NS
FRIDAY, MAY 9^th, 3pm. All are welcome to come and support these kids and their creations.

DAREarts is a Canadian not-for-profit organization, which stands for "Discipline, Action, Respect, Responsibility and Excellence in Education". DAREarts' 5-year program works with 9-14 year olds from schools in high-priority neighbourhoods, empowering them to become leaders. Visit www.darearts.com for more information about DAREarts. Visit http://www.darearts.wordpress.com for up-to-date sharing of their experiences.