1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
Our performance is called "twist". This performance is a mishmash of multiple dance styles and genres. Typically when we perform in Bridgewater we stick to our upbeat routines that are known to be crowd-pleasers, but for Afterglow we are very excited to show all forms of dance that we excel at. There will be a variety of tempos, vibes and moods in our performance and we are very excited to share the art of DANCE with Bridgewater!

Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called?  Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
We were inspired by a Jellyfish sculpture piece created by a grade 10 student during art class this past semester. We will be using umbrellas -taking off the fabric and replacing it with our own fabric - beads, and fairy lights. The students (dressed in black) will hold the umbrellas and walk down the streets in a rhythmic manner set to ocean sounds. Because the students are younger, we do not plan to be there for the entire evening but will march together for 2 hours. 

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
​I’ve been wanting to participate in Afterglow for a long time now so I’m really happy it’s coming together this year. 

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?​
Really, I’m looking forward to taking it all in! Though I know from experience that I may not get to see or hear much if I’m performing - one of the hardest things about participating in a festival! I’m very much looking forward to connecting with my local South Shore community in a creative way. 

Erin Donovan/ Hear Here Productions: Percussionist, pianist and composer Erin Donovan presents multi-media events for alternative spaces with her organization, Hear Here Productions (hearhereproductions.ca). Her most recent work entitled Burnwater: Alchemy is an interactive sound environment with live performance and is a collaboration with Mocean Dance. This show opened in Shelburne, NS in 2016 and had a run at Alderney Landing in 2017 and at the Ship’s Company Theatre in 2018. As a freelance percussionist, Erin has performed regularly with Symphony Nova Scotia, Calgary Philharmonic, the Canadian Opera Company, Continuum New Music, The Banff Centre, Gamelan Toronto, Evergreen Club Gamelan, the Glass Orchestra, Array Music and her newly formed percussion trio Saltwater Percussion. Erin lives in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.

Geordie Haley: Guitarist, Composer, Improviser and Educator has been a featured Artist with new music presenters Suddenly Listen, Upstream Music, Vocalypse, and Open Arts. Geordie is a frequent contributor to the Halifax Jazz Festival, the Harvest Blues and Jazz Festival, and the Open Waters Festival. He has collaborated with dancers Shannon Cooney, Susanne Chui, Rhonda Baker, Sara Coffin and Jacinthe Armstrong. Geordie has played in the pit bands for Neptune Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick and Canadian Stage. As an accompanist Geordie has worked with Chrsitine Duncan, Tena Palmer, Tanya Tagaq, Loiuse Pitre and Measha Brueggergosman.  Geordie heads the Guitar program at the NSCC Waterfront Music Arts Department and has been teaching at the Maritime Conservatory since 2009.

Jacinte Armstrong is a Halifax-based dance artist who has worked with many collaborators locally and across Canada. She trained at Halifax Dance before studying at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. Primarily an independent artist, Jacinte performs regularly with Mocean dance and SiNS (Sometimes in Nova Scotia) Dance, and was the Artistic Director of Kinetic Studio from2014-2018. Her choreography ranges from intimate and imagistic to large-scale collaboration with architects, filmmakers, and musicians. Jacinte is currently pursuing her MFA at NSCAD University.

FILAMENT and is a series of experimental improvisations for dancer (Jacinte Armstrong, Halifax,  http://jacintearmstrong.com/), electric guitar (Geordie Halley, Halifax) and percussion (Erin Donovan, Mahone Bay hearhereproductions.ca). The word Filament is a starting off point for structured improvisations— it conjures both the natural world (animals, plants, fungi) and the man-made world (electricity, light-bulbs, currents). Combining human movement with acoustic and electric sounds as well as some experiments with light is going to make for an interesting show. Hear Here has been making experimental performance art for 20 years in Toronto, Alberta and now after years away. Hear Here’s Burnwater show has been to East Dover, Shelburne, Halifax and this summer will be at the Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro.

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
Our Afterglow Project is called Equilibrium. It is an interactive circus performance including juggling, hat manipulation, bubbles and more. Our inspiration came from the bubbles themselves: always moving to find that perfect balance.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
We are The Jugglin Bubblers - a circus duo based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We have been performing unique, all ages, circus shows together since 2014. We specialize in Juggling , Hat Manipulation, and bubble art. Our performances have taken us across Canada , USA , and Costa Rica. 

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
We feel that Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater by bringing the community together and by making art accessible. Both of these things create the most inspiring atmosphere!

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival? 
We chose to return to Afterglow because the community was so welcoming, and the experience we had connecting last year was absolutely beautiful! The joy and excitement that fills the street is the best!

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
This year we are looking forward to bringing new and exciting tricks and play to Afterglow, along with seeing all of the other amazing projects and shows. 
​

​Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration? 
The project is called Story Weaver. It’s about a storyteller creating and sharing magical stories for all ages; taking the listener into the world of imagination and adventure. The stories told may entertain, inspire, challenge and/or give sense of hope that we can build a better world together.
My inspiration is my imagination and a strong desire to touch the listener in a way that may leave them with a smile, touch the heart or encourage them to be true to themselves.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
I am discovering the joy of whom I am at 65. I live in a small community, Lapland, and have been here for 37 years. 
I have a been reader of fiction since I was young. I have a strong imagination which scared and entertained me over the years. As a substitute teacher for many years, I began telling stories that I usually created on the spot to the students, or told one I had created before that went over well. It was something I could do easily and simply did it. About 10 years ago I expanded my audience into the adult world when I joined a storytelling group. Whenever the opportunity presents itself I will joyfully tell a story.

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it? What is its inspiration?
Josh Dramer is the name I use for performing. My performance will be drumming to songs that many people know, and maybe some that people do not know. I'm breaking out of the shell of drumming in a room by myself, and having fun with a bunch of people around me. 

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity.
I'm a drummer from Laconia, NS. I'm a bit of a shy and hyper person, but I always try my best to help out and be kind to others as best as I can. I started drumming when I was in 7th grade after not being able to make a note come out of an Alto Saxophone. Ever since then, I've mostly learned a bunch of stuff at my own pace through YouTube videos of drummers such as Cobus Potgieter, Luke Holland & Phil J Drums; also looked at drum lesson videos from channels such as Drumeo. 
My range of music is varied. Anything from country to metal - as long as it's good to listen to and it makes me want to drum! 

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater?
​Afterglow lets people see lots of various talents that they don't get to see a lot of. There are always those rare talents that no one knows about, that others needs to see, hear, etc. 

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival?
To perform in front of the local population, and show them how much fun I have playing some songs, and just hitting hard on the drums!!!  

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
The music performances in the events!! 

Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse

3. How do you feel Afterglow makes an impact on Bridgewater? 
Afterglow is an inspirational program that gives every person in and around the Bridgewater area to experience many forms/kinds of art first hand. From Fine Art to Performing Arts, everyone has the chance to see, hear and feel the arts and culture of our area. 

4. Why have you chosen to take part in this year's festival?
I chose to join in the festivities so I can once again educate the public on the art of printmaking, as it was done for over a hundred years.  

5. What are you looking forward to most in this year's festival?
Working with the children and seeing their faces when they reveal their own piece of linocut art. 
​

What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe? What is its inspiration? 
My project this year is going to be called simply just "Jerika Clara Art"
This year I want people to be more inspired 0 more inspired to create dreamy watercolour paintings. I also want for my project to help little kids branch out and try a new medium that they maybe have never tried before. My inspiration for this year's project comes from the Afterglow Festival itself, when you're there, immersed in the festival, you look around and you see so many creative people all in one place! I really wanted to have a project that will also inspire people like all of the other projects that will be around me.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
My name is Jerika Clara and I've lived in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia my whole life. My creativity and inspiration definitely comes from my surroundings. Nature and the ocean both give me so much inspiration. 

Interview and blog compiled by Jordan Beck Crouse

1. What is your Afterglow 2018 project called? Could you describe it What is its inspiration? 
The Lewinskies are from the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Kristen (Hatt) Lewis writes, plays and sings with an accordion and her husband, Matthew, accompanies on guitar. Our writing inspirations come from people who are trying to make a difference in this world.

2. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you live, and your creativity. 
Kristen was born on PEI but moved all around Canada while growing up and as a young person. Matthew was born on The Rock but also moved to mainland Nova Scotia. Matthew & Kristen decided to have a family in a small town instead of the big city. Kristen has been involved in music since the mid '90s recording with bands such as Matt Mays, The Heavy Blinkers, and many projects with Feswick Productions. Kristen is an artist jumping back and forth between two icebergs in the middle of the ocean - one called music, and the other called art.