Duane Hicks
The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts will have a new award this year.
The Stephanie Hawkins Award, named after a long-time supporter of the festival who passed away in 2005, is aimed at students in Grades 7-9 and meant to encourage young performers to try new ideas, festival vice-chair Cynthia Donald told the Times.
She noted this could mean trying a new form of drama, such as a “slam poetry,” composing a song with a different type of instrument, or trying new forms of music, such as combining rap and melody.
To be eligible, Donald noted the performer has to have entries in three of the four divisions (i.e., Piano, Instrumental, Drama, or Vocal).
High marks will be an asset but taking a risk will increase the change of getting the award, she explained.
Performing in French will increase the monetary aspect of the award.
Donald said this award is being sponsored by Joseph A. Gervais and his family.
“Joe’s grandchildren, Annelise and Kasey Hawrylak, were always involved in the festival when they were growing up here in Fort Frances,” she noted.
“Annelise had a music teacher, Stephanie Hawkins, who was a wonderful mentor to her and many others here in the Fort Frances district,” Donald added.
Find out more about the award, and everything else to do with the festival, during an open house and registration night set for next Tuesday (Jan. 30) from 6-8 p.m. in the Shaw Room at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre.
Come sign up to compete in the festival and have your questions answered.
There also will be a bake sale and a draw prize.
