Inviting the community to lead
People frequently ask us: how does a university work with a municipality to deliver a city-wide activation in multiple sites that is open and free to everyone?
It’s simple: we invite the community to lead.
But what does that look like?
First, we put out a call for event ideas in November, offering small grants to grow the seeds of community ideas. The City of Burnaby offers free, city-run spaces for anyone whose idea fits the theme and mission of the upcoming festival, and our SFU team offers people power to help bring the event ideas to life. All of this is backed by a powerful, connected, and community-engaged Advisory Committee, representing multiple organizations throughout Burnaby. Put this together with the ideas generated by multiple communities, perspectives, voices, places, truths, and traditions, and we collectively become Connect Fest!
But honestly? It’s better if you just come down and experience the answer. Join me and the Festival team this Friday at Brentwood Plaza from 5-7pm to experience the incredible sound of Gamelan music, performed live by the Publik Secrets Society. You can ask us anything about the festival program—we will be delighted to meet you there.
Every event presented at Connect Fest has been carefully crafted by community members, leaders, artists, students, academics and folks with lived experience. All of the events are coming to you because someone cares passionately about sharing their story with you. Come and listen, dance, draw, dye, eat, cry, laugh and learn with us for five days. All events are free and full of wisdom, and each one teaches us something unique about the power of community.
Staff picks
City of Burnaby Heritage Planner, Lisa Codd and Mikelle Sasakamoose, School Board Trustee Elect & Director, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, have co-curated a series of films and panel discussions that explore history, memory, and redress through the telling of family stories.
Both events take place Tuesday April 30th at the James Cowan Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby.
Roots and Redress | Time: 12:45pm–2:45pm
All Our Father’s Relations | Time: 6:15pm–8:15pm
Stoney Creek Soundwalk: Voices of the Community I | Friday April 26th at Stoney Creek | Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm
Knowing how passionate Emily Clarke is about storytelling through sound and rhythms, I’m certain this will be an experience participants will never forget! I love how this event pulls on all the senses for a complete immersive experience with nature.
From There to Here: A Poetry Reading with Rattle Woman | Friday, April 26th at Summit Centre, BCIT Library, SE-14 | Time: 1:15pm-2pm
Join us for an enriching evening of poetry with Rattle Woman! Dive into the poetic journey of Candy Zazulak, as she shares her unique blend of Indigenous heritage and life experiences.
Just Added!
Harmony in Motion: Chinese Cultural Dance Performance | Sunday, April 28th at Edmonds Community School | Time: 2:15pm–3:00pm
Join the North Burnaby Retired Society (NBRS) for an afternoon filled with the beauty of traditional Chinese dancing styles. Catch an enchanting performance of “Yellow River Water” or “Alishan Girl.” From Tai Chi to folk dances, there’s something for everyone.
Burnaby is a place saturated with stories. Stories of so many people—newcomers, immigrants, students, refugees, First Peoples, settlers—finding, stewarding, or defending their place in this evolving, vital, and dynamic city. Join us as we explore stories of place at this year’s Connect Fest, April 26-30th, 2024! We have so much to learn from each other.