Cultural event offers look at community through stories from residents
An interactive evening of stories, food and getting to know your community are all on the menu at the Social Potluck event this weekend.
The dinner and show will take place July 16 and is the work of storyteller Gabriel Newman. Newman, a Master of Fine Arts degree student at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, explored Glenmore through its stories, and in June he hosted four intimate dinners where guests told him a story in exchange for a meal.
“We had an amazing mix of stories taking place, not only in Kelowna but around the world,” said Newman.
The one-night event is free to attend, but people are asked to bring an item of food for the potluck dinner.
“I love the metaphor of the potluck,” said Newman. “(Author) Thomas King said ‘The truth about stories is, that’s all we are.’ I believe that follows through to the communities we live in. Which stories we choose to tell becomes what we offer to the cultural potluck table of our community.”
Newman created Social Potluck as his thesis project for his Master of Fine Arts degree in the UBC Performance Program.
“We are empathetic creatures and we build community through storytelling, whether it is at the table or on stage. Glenmore has a vibrant culture, we just need to stop every once in a while and listen to it,” said Newman.
The Glenmore Social Potluck is one of three projects sponsored through a partnership between UBC and the City of Kelowna to help foster sustainable community development.
The performance will take place at St. David’s Presbyterian at 6 p.m. Seating is limited to 50 so reservations are required, as there will be no tickets available at the door.
Contact Newman at 250-260-8757, or email him at socialpotluck@gmail.com to reserve a space. To learn more and to see a video of the previous Social Potluck show, visit socialpotluck.blogspot.com
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