A Brief Canadian History
A multi media music theatre performance

What is A Brief Canadian History and why are we still searching for our Canadian identity?

I conceived the idea of A Brief Canadian History multimedia project several years ago while working on another theatre project that dealt with the subject of the Irish "coffin ships." Research into the ship and the lot of their passengers led me into a series of equally interesting and little discussed pieces of our national history. The title was chosen to indicate the brief period of European occupation and colonization in Canada and the lack of acknowledgment for the Indigenous people's in the writing and retelling of Canada's history. Being conscious and analytical of our history is an ongoing and necessary process, as the present and future will in turn, become history.

A Brief Canadian History was designed to celebrate the human spirit and promote a deeper awareness of Indigenous and Canadian history art and culture. It is also designed to present the question, "Why are we still searching for our Canadian identity?" to audiences across the country in hope that they may draw their own, better educated, conclusions to this question.

Each performance in Canada will open with an Indigenous group or individual artist. I have given these artists complete freedom of artistic expression within the theme so that we may see spoken word, traditional music and dance, folk singing or a moment of silence on any given night. I feel the artistic trust that this gesture implies also increases the potential for a unique and personal start to every performance and introduces the audience to part of the community they may have little understanding about.

The performance that follows takes the audience on a geographical and cultural sweep across Canada touching on events that boldly or subtly helped to distinguish our nation. Projections and stage sets depicting Canadian art, customs and events will be accentuated by narratives, dances and songs. The narrative and lyrical parts of the performance address the subject matter presented in the other mediums simply, intelligently and without cultural bias. The aim of the project is to increase awareness of the cultural mosaic that exists in Canada and provoke thought and dialogue about our history and future.

G. Scott MacLeod

MUSICIANS

As there are many, I would like to thank the musicians for their support and time. I could not have done this project without them.

Zbynek Bozdech - Bass, vocals.
Dave Costanza - Bass, organ.
Anne Costanza - Vocals.
Alasdair Gillis - Mandolin, bazouki.
Marc Gillett - Piano.
Kingsley Gordon - Drums.
David Gossage - Flute.
Clarke Goodman - Electric guitar.
Steve Hawley (Liquid) - Vocals.
Jamie Hebert - Electric guitar.
Liam Mackenzie - Drums.
Scott MacLeod – Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, bass, percussion.
Jean Elliott Maning - Vocals,
Jonathan Moorman - Fiddle.
Laure Pere - Vocals.
Christine Vaughan - Violin, Viola.
Karen Weiss - Vocals.

THANK YOU

Quebec
Morris Apelbaum, Claus Frostell, Dave Cooper, the Marks family, Daniel Glassman, Maria Egerton, Beth Sampson, Agnes O'Hanlon, Jerry O'Regan, Pierre Ross, Tom Burke, Helmut and Andrea Burger, Pascale Boret, Jean and Hana Devigne, Stuart Edding, the staff at Isart, John Grande, the Gordon's, James Hughes, Bruce LeDain, Meaghan McDermott, John Goldner, Brenda Keesal, Paul Roberts, my invaluable assistant Leslie Symansky, Robert Calder, the Velan family, the Harrison family, the Wolfe family, Cairn Macgregor, Elaine Quinlan and Sarah, from the Scottish show, Toby, Django and Issabeau Kinsella at Radio Centre Ville, Stuart Tigchelaar, Melody Munz, Brendan Nolan, Hurley's Irish Pub, Garry Davis, Jim Stevens, Frank and Anne Caprani, Alexa Le Blanc, Cliff Neumann, Bruce Cawdron, Dave Williams, Jeff Crossman at Canadian Heritage, Hurley’s Irish Pub, Pierre Smith and Lisa Hockley.

Ontario
Zoe and Owen Curnoe, the Pedros family, St-Thomas Regional Art Gallery, Jens, Barb and Chris Thielsen, Fred halpin,, and Andrew Hurlbut.

B.C.
Cameron Noyse, Rob Vireck, Gilles Zolty, Nancy Bleck, The Squamish Nation for insights, Chief Bill Williams, Aaron Nelson-Moody and Heather Royal-Brant, James and Sandra for prayer, Sarah Brassel, Amena Khan, Daniel J. Collins of Propaganda Photo.

New Mexico
Anne and David Costanza and The Lords of Howling, Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, Deborah Theadore, Molly Moynahan, Brad Peterson, Christine Hemp, Kurt Hobson and Alissa Hobson.

Recorded and mixed at Silent Sound Studio and Studio A, McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, between 1996 and 2000. Yes, it did take five years!

Mastered at Silent Sound Studio by Morris Apelbaum.

Engineered by Michelle Ciment, Dave Cooper, Claus Frostell, Jamie Hebert, and Gavin Whitely.

Design concept Stephane Parent.

Photography Daniel J. Collins Propaganda Foto.

Fi-rinne productions 2000 SOCAN

For more information:
Email abriefcanadianhistory@hotmail.com
Website www.abriefcanadianhistory.com