The Douglas College Newsletter ™ New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus

September 2005

IN

Douglas College

 

Boris Sichon: Globe-trotting Pie
of percussion comes to Douglas

Boris Sichon is a dancer,
singer, composer, teacher
and a passionate Pied
Piper of percussion who
has been known to play

the pumpkin.

Sichon has travelled the
world performing with
theatre groups, music
troupes and has performed
solo. But for four very
special days, his wandering
feet will find their way to
Douglas College, where

he'll put on a show as

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Follows
Natures Path
to create
school
garden

 

 

Performing Artist-in-

Residence.

From September 20 to
September 23, Sichon will
hold a series of workshops
and performances,
including his show,
Around The World with
Boris.. During this solo
concert, he plays about
25 instruments from

his collection, including
the Russian Xylophone,
Armenian duduk, Chinese

gong, African instruments

The Institute of Urban
Ecology (IUE) has teamed
up with Nature's Path
Foods to create an organic
garden at Britannia
Elementary School in East
Vancouver. The IVE has
received $10,000 from
Nature’s Path Foods’
EnviroKidz to work with
the school in constructing

the garden.

The planting is scheduled
for the early Fall, says

IUE Executive Director
Val Schaefer, meaning
students could be eating
their own organic produce

by Thanksgiving. The

and the South American
Okarina.

“It’s always quite a tough
performance -- nice,

but very demanding
physically,” says Sichon.
“You have to be a
showman, not just a
musician. You have to
have a sense of energy

to keep your audience

engaged.

“T play lots of instruments
and songs. It is not that
the instruments are exotic
— some of them are very
simple. But the songs

and the movements,

that is what makes the

performance.”

Sichon’s musical journey
began in his birthplace,
Ukraine, and continued
at the Academy of Music
in St. Petersburg, Russia.
After graduating, he
worked as a musician and
actor around the globe
with troupes like the
Russian National Folkloric
Band and the Footsbarn

‘Travelling Theatre of France.

Along the way, he
collected instruments and

learned how to play them

garden will become a
small model of ecological
and economic self-
sufficiency in one of
Canada’s poorest urban
communities. Students
will grow perennials and
herbs in small plots as well
plant and tend fruit trees.
Food crops like lettuce,
kale, beets, onions, beans
and tomatoes will also be

grown.

“Nature's Path Foods is
a leader in promoting
healthy food and
environments,” says
Schaefer. “Organic

gardening Su pports

from local musicians. An
instrument doesn't have to
be weird or wondertul to

pique his curiosity.

“Tam not looking for
exotic things in an
instrument. But when |
play one, it is like falling
in love for the first time,”

he Says.

Since coming to Canada

g
in 2004, Sichon has
worked with groups
like and Uzume Taiko
and performed at many
venues, including the

£

Vancouver Jazz and Folk

Festivals.

It's the first time the
College has had a
Performing Artist-in-
Residence and the first
time Sichon has had such

a position.

“T have never done this
before, but I used to work
with young people at the
Moscow State Academy of
Music,” says Sichon, who
lives in Mission. “It was a
great experience meeting
students and sharing

experiences. | loved it.”

Lorna McCallum, Dean of

urban biodiversity. We
are excited about the

opportunity to work

together In creatl ng

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Val Schaefer

gardens at schools that
contribute to the well
being of the students

through healthier food

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d Piper
College

 

orld traveller Boris Sichon brings his mix of song,

dance and percussion to Douglas College in September.

He's the College's first Performing Artist-in-Residence.

the Faculty of Language,
Literature and Performing
Arts, said Sichon brings

a wealth of talent,
experience and energy to

the residency.

“We have had a Writer-
in-Residence program
at the College for many
years, but this is our

first Performing Artist-

they will grow and eat and
by creating a healthier,
more natural school

ground environment.”

Additionally, the [UE will
conduct workshops on

healthy foods and organic
gardening throughout the

sche ol year,

Arran Stephens, President
and founder of Nature’s
Path says helping kids
develop green thumbs at
an early age augurs well

for the planet’s future.

“We feel that bringing a

direct experience of nature

in- Residence,” says
McCallum. “We are

very pleased that Boris

has agreed to be our first
performing artist and hope
that this will become an

annual event.”

For a complete itinerary of
Sichon’s events, please see
the Calendar listings on

page two.

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and of growing food to
children at a young age is
the best hope we have that
the next generations will
govern the world in an

ecological and sustainable
£

way,” says Stephens.

Schaefer says the garden
isnt just good for the
body, it’s good for the

soul.

“T believe that having a
space in the community
where kids can make a
positive impact which
will help them to feel
empowered in other

aspects of their lives,” he says.

 

Quote of the Month

‘Autumn has caught us in our summer wear.’

»

Philip Larkin