2005 Performers in Action
Many thanks to the following performers for helping to make Abilities
Festival 2005 such a success! Scroll down the page to view pictures of these
performers in action: Adrian Anantawan, Chaika, Joe Coughlin, Jason Dennis,
Max Fomitchev, Chris Fonseca, Afi-Tiombe Kambon, Terry Kelly, Jean Little,
Gord Paynter, David Roche, Alan Shain, and Bill Shannon.
Adrian Anantawan
Adrian Anantawan, a young violin virtuoso, was one of the star performers at the
Saturday Night gala, Art with an Edge |
Adrian Anantawan meets excited audience members at the Glenn Gould Studio after his amazing violin performance | |
Adrian Anantawan with piano accompanist Byron Waghorn following their Glenn Gould performance | |
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Chaika
Chaika, an innovative and creative Russian theatre company performed
"Wings are given to all", a mime and dance play held at the Friday Night
Glenn Gould Studio gala |
Members of Chaika, meet the audience following their Friday night performance
at the Glenn Gould Studio | |
Sharon Wolfe, Abilities Festival Artistic Director and Producer with members of Chaika | |
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Joe Coughlin
Joe Coughlin, jazz vocalist extraordinaire provided a velvety smooth performance
at the Glenn Gould Studio |
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Joe Coughlin signs copies of his CDs at the Glenn Gould Studio following his Saturday night gala performance with the Mark Eisenman Trio | |
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Jason Dennis
Jason Dennis a young drummer with big talent. Jason performed with his "Happy Band" to dancing and cheering children and youth at "In Celebration of Children and Youth" | |
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Max Fomitchev
His face is his canvas. His movement tells the story. Max Fomitchev's presentation
of "The Rainman" at the Friday Night gala performance at the Glenn Gould Studio
and his performances at "In Celebration of our Children" had audiences mesmerized,
laughing and in absolute awe and amazement at his consummate skill | |
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Chris Fonseca
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Chris Fonseca had the Saturday Night gala audience at the Glenn Gould Studio in
stitches. His timing was impeccable. His ability to laugh at himself and with the
audience was infectious. To all who attended, you can't hear the word "Oooooo"
without it now bringing a smile to your face. Besides his much heralded
performance at the Glenn Gould Studio, Chris was also an active participant
in the Festival's popular panel "Life Stories". | |
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Afi-Tiombe Kambon
Afi-Tiombe Kambon had the audience spellbound during her monologue presentation of
"Black Diamond" at the Glenn Gould Studio Saturday Night Gala |
Afi-Tiombe Kambon joins the audience at intermission following her stirring
performance of "Black Diamond" at the Glenn Gould Studio |
Afi-Tiombe Kambon speaks with passion and conviction at the festival panel
presentation of "Life Stories" | |
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Terry Kelly
Award winning singer and songwriter wowed audiences at the Festival's opening
evening Rendezvous Café. Terry's performance at the luncheon matinee
included his moving tribute to Canada’s veterans, "A Pittance of Time" | |
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Jean Little
Award-winning Canadian author Jean Little was a prestigious and welcome addition
to the performance line-up at Abilities Festival's "In Celebration of Children
and Youth". Jean also was an active participant in the festival' panel presentation
"Life Stories" | |
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Gord Paynter
Gord Paynter, comedian and motivational speaker, was a featured performer of the
festival's Luncheon Matinee Series. Gord's humour, charm and motivational message
combined to ensure a funny and captivating luncheon performance | |
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David Roche
David Roche was an Abilities Festival star. From the standing ovation he
received for his Friday night gala performance of "The Church of 80%
Sincerity" at the Glenn Gould Studio, to his tremendously successful
workshop on storytelling, to his panel participation in "Life Stories",
David brought warmth, humour and inspiration to the festival | |
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Alan Shain
Alan Shain opened festival's Rendezvous Café with his warm and engaging
humour that had the audience engaged and steeped in laughter. Alan Shain was
equally a hit at "In Celebration with Children" where he used humour to expose
the absurdity of his experiences, educating at the same time as he entertained.
The thumbs-up response by many that attended is a testament to Shain's humour
and ability to inspire audiences of all ages | |
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Bill Shannon
Bill Shannon glided and spun across, the stage at times appearing to float
in the air. Bill's creative and innovative dance performance at Saturday Night
gala at the Glenn Gould Studio had the audience amazed at his grace, agility,
and the beauty of his unique dance style. Bill provided an inside glimpse
into his art, his style, people perceptions to his work and disability at
his multimedia Luncheon matinee performance of "What is What" | |
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Featured Artists:
Patrice Kouma
(Banner top)
Patrice Kouma is an artist who is deaf due to an early bout with meningitis.
In 1985, at the age of 15 he started painting with Sr Maria Rosa, an Italian.
Kouma's paintings have been shown at many exhibitions throughout the Cameroon
and were featured in a series of greetings cards produced by Gallaudet University
in Washington DC in 2000. In June 2004, Kouma's work was showcased at VSA Arts
Festival in Washington DC. Patrice Kouma currently teaches painting and ceramics
to youth with disabilities. <Read More>
Pierrette Theriault
(Banner left)
Early on in her childhood, Pierrette felt and expressed a passion for
artistic creation. The spark that ignited her inspiration and creativity
is very much alive and thriving although tainted by the gradual loss of
her eyesight. <Read More>
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