Alan Harrington on the BPAC Season Kick Off

By Alan Harrington

May 30^th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

Being a paid member of Burlington Performing Arts for the past few years, I got to attend the  Season Kickoff. A timely break from all the noise and violence in the news.

It is usually a fun evening, and last night was no different.

White Eagle Stonefish

The evening began with WhiteEagle Stonefish’s Good Words and Intentions from Canada’s First Nations people.

Canada has a rich history and, as the home of Joseph Brant, Burlington is the perfect place to celebrate our Indigenous folklore.

First Nations stories are OUR stories.

Chuck Commanda, a Birch Bark canoe builder.

There will be an opportunity to interact with Chuck Commanda, a Birch Bark Canoe Builder, who will be building a canoe at BPAC in September of this year.

Our hosts for the evening were Lisa & Annie who supplied a rundown of the upcoming music events.

Canadian icons Jim Cuddy, Men Without Hats, and Trooper.  I am a big fan of Trooper – but they don’t mention that this Trooper show does not have the original guys.

Brooks & Bowskill gave us a sample of their country music skills.

We were able to get a sample of three singing acts – one of whom was Myriad Ensemble (I counted 80 members) singing together. They will soon represent Burlington and Canada, among other groups from around the world at the “Choir Olympics”. They will assemble in Stockholm where the Swedes know a thing or two about assemblies.   Am I right IKEA?

Our hosts moved onto upcoming comedy nights, one show being “A Brief History of Smoking Cigarettes”.   It sounds interesting and segues perfectly into their next comedy show “Hold On To Your Butts”.     A reminder not to throw them on the ground.

Shakura S’Aida

More music with Shakura S’Aida who got us on our feet singing and dancing, wowing her to announce “Burlington audiences are better than Toronto audiences”.

There are many, many more shows offered including interactive numbers, magic, and kids themes.

Overall, the 26/27 schedule seems to me to harken to earlier days. Like the 1960s with hippies – where it was just the music before all the lasers and pyrotechnics.

The evening closed with Kate Dickson and Shannon Thunderbird, two other First Nation speakers who are part of the new season.

It was so positive to see our nation’s Indigenous culture at the forefront sharing their stories as part of our Burlington arts scene.  Something that we can showcase to the world.

I have already bought some tickets for shows in the fall.