Arnie Lek'hoosh Leon walked into the audience and kneeled down to play his flute for the many delighted little kids present for the annual Cultural Celebration organized by the 91原创 Arts Council at the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre.
Eagle dancer Arnie Leon performed at the 91原创 Arts Council Celebration of Culture
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"To be able to play for the young ones and make them smile and have their attention is a good thing," Leon said afterwards.
"I love it."
Leon, from the Sts'ailes First Nation near Chilliwack, also performed a traditional Eagle dance.
"I am 64 years old," Leon told the audience.
"I've been practicing for 40 years now. This is what keeps me healthy. This is who I am."
He talked about cultural adversity and how "our people are strong today because we're able to practice [our] culture freely now."
Saturday also featured Indonesia's ancient shadow puppet tradition and a demonstration by Boris Sichon of musical sounds from around the world, including the Ukrainian bagpipe, Eastern European flutes, Middle Eastern dumbek , the Australian didgeridoo, the Indian tabla, the Turkish gong, Irish bones, and the Ukrainian xylophone.
The month-long celebration of arts, culture, and diversity organized by the council, will continue on Saturday, March 22, Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29 at the Kinsmen centre at 26770 29th Ave.
Organizers said it was the largest LAC cultural celebration yet.
On March 22, the event will feature Caribbean Rhythms: Steel Drum Band Experience by Sweet Pan Entertainment, Scottish Experience in Canada: Great Highland Bagpipe and Highland Dancing, and Persian Music by Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra.
Registration is required
March 28, there will be Indigenous Plant Medicine Workshop with Chef Sarah Mierau, with registration required.
On March 29, from 11-5 p.m. - LAC will host a Cultural Artisan Market - offering unique cultural goods, food and more. No registration is required.
There will be live music throughout the day, including intercultural music by Silk Road Duo and O'Carolan Celtic Ensemble.
More information can be found online at
