Our next performance, iskwē & the KSO, is a unique divergence from our usual concert experience. Taking place both online and in-person in Sagebrush Theatre on Saturday, February 12, iskwē & the KSO is an evocative and intimate sharing that invites you into an emotional and soulful experience with Cree artist iskwē.

iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (short for waseskwan iskwew, meaning “blue sky woman”) is, among many other things, an artist – a creator and communicator of music and of movement, of pictures, poetry and prose. And through it all, she is a teller of stories that have impacted our past and will inform our future. Known for weaving elements of pop, jazz, R&B, and music and movement, iskwē’s inventiveness provides new avenues of expression and storytelling. iskwē is Cree Métis from Treaty One Territory. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She is an urban Indigenous two-spirited woman from the Red River Valley, the birthplace of the Métis Nation.

The songs featured in iskwē & the KSO are meant to raise awareness of systemic abuses and societal opinions, as well as celebrate her culture and help bridge that gap – to help us find empathy and common ground and connect the way we are supposed to as people, regardless of race, religion, or background. Though many of these issues stem from her own experiences, they are universally human issues.

Leading the orchestra performing the special arrangements made to accompany iskwē’s songs is Guest Conductor Nadège Foofat, an award-winning conductor, violinist, and violist, known for innovation in music and culture. Born in Canada, Nadège holds degrees from the Université de Montréal, the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Switzerland, the Yale University School of Music, and The Juilliard School, and has performed across North America.

A stunning and eye-opening concert experience awaits those curious. Advisory: This concert will include coarse language some may find offensive.

Tickets for in-person viewing are $40 for Adults, $15 for Youth (under 19), and $15 for KSOundcheck members. Tickets for online viewing are $15 or $10 for KSOundcheck members, and the concert recording will be available to view from February 12 to March 13. All tickets are available from Kamloops Live! Box Office by going to kamloopslive.ca or calling 250-374-5483.