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

LU}

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