Bilingual Saskatchewan artist performs at The Artesian
by allister white, contributor
On September 20, Alexis Normand and Burnstick gave a powerful performance at Regina’s Artesian Performing Arts Centre. The performance blended two distinct styles. At first listen, Normand’s bright, contemporary style seems a harsh contrast to Burnstick’s gutsy, alternative folk. What unites the two styles, though, is the love and soul that both artists infuse their music with. The emotions of the night’s performance leave a lasting impression even days later.
The Artesian itself is a decades-long labour of love, imbued with soul of its own. It was built in 1950 and served as the Calvary Evangelical United Church until its closure. It first opened for rentals in 2011, and, in 2016, was reinvented by the Artesian Performing Arts non-profit group. The Artesian states that today it is “a destination for new work development, […] a champion for the emerging artist, […] and [a] provide[r] [of] facility, production, and marketing support to the performing arts community in Regina.” The Artesian is more than a destination for the emerging artist, it is a home.
The small church perched on 13th Avenue on the edge of the Cathedral district and the talented performers within it are, without a doubt, one-of-a-kind. When empty, it has an unassuming but promising air to it. When full of smiling, excited faces and conversations which, on Wednesday, were flowing in a blend of English and French, the venue begins to feel like a warm, busy home. As the lights dim, shadows fall upon the crowd, and Burnstick’s iconic “Some Kind of Hell” fills the church, the feeling shifts, ever so slightly, once more.
This time, the church feels as if it has become one with the music. It’s not just the venue that is a force of nature, but the instruments as well. When talking about his Weissenborn and guitars, Jason Burnstick – one half of the Burnstick duo – explained: “That’s the thing with instruments, there’s songs in them.” Jason brought a multitude of different guitars, some more than 100 years old, producing sounds that anyone could “listen to… all day.”
When Burnstick’s rich, profound sound began filling the church walls, it became abundantly clear why the duo is so acclaimed. Having performed eleven times across the country over the past three months, there is no shortage of moments as touching and memorable as their music. When asked about these moments, Jason mentioned that when “[Burnstick] played in Edmonton” the evening was “really, really special.”
Friends that he hadn’t seen since high school, along with his family, were present at the show. “It was beautiful,” he explained. Nadia Burnstick, the other half of the duo, agreed while explaining that the moments most special to her are “when the crowds are so welcoming and warm – like tonight, it was really special… it feels like it’s everyone all together.”
With such a distinct musical style and impactful mode of performance, there is no doubt that Burnstick deserves to be remembered for decades to come. When asked about what kind of legacy they’d like to leave behind, both echoed sentiments about their music, with Jason “hop[ing] that it puts smiles on people’s faces,” and Nadia explaining that she “really like[s] the idea of people seeing that [their] family is strong and that music helps that.”
Where others may see a challenge in finding work-life balance, Burnstick sees something that strengthens their family. This way of thinking is echoed in their album Kîyânaw, in the description of which Burnstick explains that they “choose to do [their] best to be kind to one another, to respect [them]selves and each other, to nourish [their] child, to protect him [and] to help him cultivate his cultural identity as well as the confidence to stand tall.”
Want to hear Burnstick live? The couple’s tour with Alexis Normand culminated on the 22 at La Grange Laurier, in Manitoba. However, Burnstick does have a Manitoba performance planned for November 16. In terms of Saskatchewan performances, “spread the word to the Regina Folk Festival,” Nadia urged, stating that they’d be open to coming back next summer.
Shortly after Burnstick closed their act with John Prine’s “All The Best,” Alexis Normand’s set opened. The second Normand stepped on stage, her presence lit up the space. Her performance was unique and effortlessly combined the francophone aspects of her music with the English, weaving between the two. “In my body, sometimes there [are] things I feel need to be said in French,” Alexis explained when discussing her song “The Night Before Je T’aime.” This intuitive use of language is present in the rest of her music as well. In “Tous Les Matins,” Normand offers a perspective on her upbringing in a bilingual prairie home.
On the subject of her latest album Mementos, Alexis explained to the crowd at The Artesian that “for the first time, I’ve written something that [captures] how I live my life… I think that’s beautiful.” Normand told listeners that she often felt as if she needed to divide the two parts of herself, but since the release of Mementos she “feel[s] like a complete person in all spaces, not just half.”
Alexis ended her act by paying homage to her days as one-third of Rosie and The Riveters. The concert closed when she performed the trio’s song “Life is Good Today” and effectively pulled at the heartstrings of the many Rosie and The Riveters fans in the crowd.
Through both performances, passion and love flowed like a current. Love for family and for life was evident in each and every piece, as was passion for the craft. One of the most heart-wrenching moments was Burnstick’s final song, a John Prine cover. In a church where hands once met each other in prayer, they met in collaboration and unity. That unity served as a testament to the venue itself.
The Artesian is far from unchanged by time. Yet, with each passing day, I learn that that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it can be a beautiful thing. The Artesian is triumphant in the face of time and change. It has been altered, covered, had pieces erased or removed, and been painted over. Nonetheless, it’s all the better for it. Why? Because still The Artesian stands, fir wood and warm spotlights nestled comfortably on 13th Avenue. A true home for performing arts in Regina.
If your interest in The Artesian is piqued, Begonia will be performing on October 12, Jordan Klassen and David Vertesi on the 13, and Slow Leaves on October 24, to name a few. More information can be found at artesianon13th.ca.
