On the Edge, presented by Grounded Dance Company, showcases a wide variety of choreography embracing the concept of war. Whether you interpret war at a global level or at an individual level, every moment of our existence there is constant push and pull, visible or hidden struggles and internal battles. Where will your thoughts and emotions take you over the course of the show?
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor, of combined Mohawk (Kahnawake) and Caribbean ancestry, is a major label veteran, Toronto music scene staple, and musical chameleon. His versatility as a songwriter is signature; one minute he’s onstage playing with his band spilling out electrified rhythm and blues glory, and the next he’s featured at a folk festival delivering a captivating solo singer-songwriter set.
Formerly associated with the band Staggered Crossing, he has continued to record and perform as a solo artist and has released twelve studio albums since 2001. With his songs being placed in such TV shows as “Haven,” “Private Eyes,” “Kim’s Convenience,” “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” and “Elementary.”
He has been part of the musical fabric and landscape in Canada for over two decades. Taylor enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2020, when his second solo acoustic album, The Ridge, earned a million plays on Spotify, praise from press worldwide, and airplay from America to Australia to the U.K. Loaded with soulful Americana and country twang, the album was produced by Taylor himself and Saam Hashemi, and was recorded at The Woodshed in Toronto. In addition to winning Taylor Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, The Ridge was also nominated for: two Juno Awards (Contemporary Folk Album of The Year, Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year), the Polaris Prize Long List, a Summer Solstice Indigenous Award (Contemporary Folk Album of the Year), a Canadian Music Week INDIES Award (Indigenous Artist of the Year), and an additional Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination in the English Songwriter of the Year category. The nominations and awards kept coming in 2022, with Taylor winning best male artist in the International Acoustic Music Awards, and scoring five Native American Music Award nominations. He has charted on several Canadian Radio and Indigenous Music Charts.
Taylor is as explosive and captivating a live performer as you’ll ever see. Taylor has toured Canada, Europe and the U.S. countless times, sharing the stage with the likes of Serena Ryder, Blue Rodeo, William Prince, AHI, Rodney Crowell, Keb’ Mo’, and has performed at the Festival d’Été de Quebec, the Mariposa Folk Festival, Ottawa BluesFest, and more. Taylor was also invited to perform at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and Vancouver.
How do you follow-up a career high point? If you’re Julian Taylor — you double down on upping your game by striving to exceed the creative fruits that have already blossomed from the artistic spark that got you there in the first place.
“Broken” is a study of contrasts, much like photography is a study in the contrast of light; love and loss, before and after, healed and broken. This collection of wet plate silver collodion tintypes accompanied by the subject’s corresponding story of heartache, betrayal and loss is a deep-dive into how the death of a relationship can feel like the death of the self. How heartbreak can resonate as a physical sensation within the body. How trust can be shattered leaving a soul vulnerable and raw.
Photography by Tim Brown.
Words written by 12 local individuals.
About the Salida Chalk Festival. Produced by the Salida Creative District and Salida Arts and Culture in partnership with the Salida Public Arts Commission, the inaugural Salida Chalk Festival will take place on Saturday, June 29 9am-6pm at E. Sackett & Riverside Park. The Salida Chalk Festival will transform downtown Salida into a giant outdoor gallery of colorful murals as artists create 5’ x 5’ temporary art works of chalk and pastel. Like the historical tradition of Madonnari street artists of Italy, artists will create temporary works of chalk art in real time during the festival. Admission is Free!
This year’s theme is SWEET HOME SALIDA. View colorful works of chalk that celebrate our unique Salida surroundings and community. Over 25 professional, emerging, and award- winning regional and local artists from across Colorado will gather in downtown Salida to create giant art works of chalk and pastel. The Selected Artists deadline is May 10. Enjoy A colorful outdoor gallery on the street!
Registration open to Public for Community Chalk section until full. Starting May 17, the public can also register to reserve a square and create a chalk mural using the theme SWEET HOME SALIDA. Adult ($30) or youth ($15) categories. Register at www.SalidaSteamPlant.com. Limited space available. A free Kiddie Zone for 5 and under will also be featured.
Plus enjoy live music at Riverside Park by The Sad Hands at 2pm, Chris Nasca & John Stenger on piano at 4pm, Smoothies & Organic Eats by the RideOn mobile bike trailer, and a cash bar. Stay for an Awards Ceremony recognizing community participants such as Judges Choice and People’s Choice at 5:30pm. Admission to the Salida Chalk Fest is Free!