|
Dear
friends, I am delighted to introduce to you some of this year's
featured guests. At popular request, we have also decided on a
theme this year : "Journeys" We invite you to explore the
traditions we will be featuring by taking part in a ritual or
more. You will have the opportunity to attend rituals and
workshops of the following traditions: Alexandrian, Asatru, Blue
Star, Céilí Sídhe, Eclectic Wicca, Ojibwa, Voodoo and more. Other
workshops include divination, herb walks and herbology, drumming,
belly dancing, yoga to name a few! We will have a Bardic
competition, Men and Women's rituals, concerts and general
merriment.

Sherman Butler Sylvester / Makwa
Ninni (Bear Man) Artist, Traditional Teacher, Dancer & Singer
In 1972-78, I was an active member of the American Indian
Movement, Canada and the U.S.A. During this time, I found my
Spiritual direction. I have had some most amazing Teachers
influence my life such as Medicine people like Don Ryder, Vick
Sandy, Ona Kingbird, Bill Bonner, Ralph Cardinal, Alec Beaver,
Alex Megennis, Vern Harper and Vera Martin. I also had other
renowned Elders as teachers such as Art Solmon, Fred Wheatly, my
grandfather, Mathew King and my father, Joseph Sylvester. Sherman
will be presenting an Ojibwa intensive to those serious seekers
interested. Over the course of three days, he will provide
teachings concerning the traditional Ojibwa sweat lodge as well as
purpose etc. Participants will experience the whole process from
planning the building of a lodge to the construction, teachings,
meaning of pipes, purpose, use, experiencing the lodge, feast and
giveaway. Those interested in this particular intensive should
bring to the Festival: an old blanket or two, tobacco for offering
and will be required to provide feast food for the sweatlodge
taking place on Saturday such as strawberries, wild meat, fish,
bread, potatoes, squash, beef or pork.
Sherman will also conduct an open teaching circle on Thursday
evening as well as Native drumming instruction.
Kenny Klein
Kenny Klein is a well known musician,
author, and lecturer in the Pagan community. Kenny has recorded
many CDs geared toward Pagan and Renaissance Festival audiences;
He is the author of The Flowering Rod, Men, Sex and Spirituality,
(Delphi 1993), a book about men's Wicca; and has been a workshop
presenter and musical performer at festivals that include PSG,Free
Spirit Gathering, Heartland, Starwood, Ancient Ways, Florida Pagan
Fest, Goddess Gathering, and many others. Kenny is a co-founder of
the Blue Star tradition of Wicca, and has been a Wiccan priest and
teacher for over twenty years. He is currently working on a book
about Fairy lore.
http://www.kennyklein.net/
Brian Walsh
Brian Walsh is a priest in the Céilí Sídhe tradition of Celtic
Paganism and holds a B.A. in Celtic Studies and Religious Studies
from the University of Toronto, as well as an M.Phil. from the
University of Wales. Currently, he works as a multi-faith chaplain
at a major Toronto hospital and as a Pagan chaplain with the
University of Toronto's Campus Chaplaincy Association.
www.newtara.org
Utu
Utu is a Witchdoctor of the
North American Voodoo tradition. His temple, the Niagara Voodoo
Shrine, is located in the heart of the historic free slave quarter
in St. Catharines Ontario, where the legendary underground
railroad ended. The Niagara Voodoo Shrine has been sharing for
many years the beautiful traditions of this Carolinian forest and
swamp magik that inspires transformation and inner healing with
the help of the spirits and animals of the marsh.
www.myspace.com/niagaravoodooshrine
Castalia
Castalia
began performing in
pubs and coffeehouses in 1979. She became involved in the pagan
community of Toronto in 1982, and began writing and collecting
pagan folk songs. She graduated from McMaster University with an
Honours Bachelors of Arts in Religious Studies and Anthropology.
She became and Alexandrian high priestess in 1989, and a priestess
of the Wiccan Church of Canada in 1990, the year she also
graduated from Brock University with a Bachelors of Education.
Donn (Harry) Roberts
My music roots go back to
boyhood...Professional from the age of eight. I have walked
the path of most music genres including welsh folk, and Pictish
chants. modern folk, blues and jazz. My heritage in the old ways
extends back, seventeen generations. In our union which includes
music, Mary and I have created a unique sound blending traditional
Celtic folk with traditional folk, and blues. Mary Anderson has
had the privilege to listen to her native (Anishanabe) elders for
many decades. In her 30's she was initiated to the 3rd degree in a
line of British Traditional Wicca. Mary plays the Neo Irish High
Headed Celtic Harp,well known for soul healing qualities.
...and More
In addition, Andy will
present an Asatru Ritual, Anne Marie will lead the woman's ritual
and Alex from Montreal will direct the men's rite. To contribute
to the program, e-mail Anne Marie:
greymoonlake@yahoo.ca or phone
705 454 3077 after 7:30 pm to discuss. (no collect calls please)
On our new site, villages have formed such as Booty Town, Ook Camp
etc. Feel free to join or visit as many as you wish, it's all in
good fun. This year we will have a prize for the best decorated
campsite/cabin. So bring decorations (Earth friendly please or
take home with you) your Pagan regalia, drums and musical
instruments, positive cheerful attitude and come celebrate and
learn with us. If you are camping, remember that fires must be
above ground to preserve the land and minimise fire risk. Let us
all gather: pirates, fairies, sprites and witches, vikings and
shamans, pagans of all traditions and revel in the magic of the
Summer Solstice. Merry Meet and Blessed Be!
This section of the site is
currently being updated to reflect this years programming and
guests. Please check back often.
|