Job Posting - Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Conservation Project

DUTIESThe successful applicant will assist with the internship on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Conservation Project.  Duties include assisting in field documentation of ICH and collecting digital materials to be placed online; processing collected data and electronic files; developing web content for the Memorial ICH website; placing ICH material on the DAI website; creating community and special home pages on the Memorial ICH website; maintaining the ICH events calendar; completing community profiles for new communities and special topic collections on the Memorial ICH website using Site Builder; digitizing, compiling metadata and uploading records for the variety of projects and placing on DAI website; and performing other related duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONSRelated work experience (up to 1 year) relating to the management of online inventories, editing of digital data (audio, photographic, video), designing of website, and cataloguing of ethnographic materials; graduation from a four-year college or University with an undergraduate degree in Folklore or a related discipline; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

For full posting see:

http://www.mun.ca/humanres/careers/ads/view.php?id=569&audience=1

Workshops on Folklore, Oral History, and Festivals

We are running out our lineup of workshops for the next month, which includes workshops for those of you planning oral history and folklore collection projects, a workshop on folklife and festivals, and one on interviewing techniques. We've got workshops in St. John's, Cupids, Port Union, Gander and Marystown.

The first workshop coming up is in St. John's, on project planning:

Title: How to Plan an Oral History or Folklore Project (St. John’s).
Description: The workshop will take participants through the process of planning a project, from establishing goals, doing preliminary research, addressing issues around ethics and consent, choosing personnel, documentation methods, processing collected materials, equipment, and budgets. This workshop will be beneficial to people who are contemplating folklore and oral history projects of all sorts, ranging from short-term projects involving a single researcher to complex, long-term projects involving many researchers.
Instructor: Dale Jarvis, ICH Development Officer
Tuition: $25
Date: Wed, February 3rd. 1pm – 4pm
Location: The Lantern, Barnes Road, St. John’s.

Following quickly on the heels of that workshop is one on Festivals, in Cupids

Title: Festivals & Folklife: Project Planning for Cultural Festivals
Description: This workshop is designed for groups planning cultural festivals, or for organizers of existing festivals who wish to incorporate some aspect of intangible cultural heritage into their events. It will addresses key issues in how to plan for a successful festival, how to engage tradition bearers, and how to showcase local culture, heritage and traditional knowledge.
Instructors: Dale Jarvis, ICH Development Officer; and Ryan Davis, 2009 Mummers Festival
Tuition: $20 (includes lunch and materials)
Date: Saturday, February 6th, 2010, 9:00am – 3:00 pm
Location: Prince of Wales Loyal Orange Lodge, Cupids

For a full list of workshops, visit our webpage at:
http://www.mun.ca/ich/classes/

To register, call Dale Jarvis at 1-888-739-1892 ext 2 or email ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Exploring the Aesthetics of Outport Interiors Workshop, Fogo Island (NL)

Deadline for applications: January 22th 2010

Call for applications from young artists and designers!

Exploring the aesthetics of Outport interiors workshop on Fogo Island February 11–27th 2010

Project description:


Exploring the aesthetics of Outport interiors is an experimental art/design project, a workshop designed to develop ideas for contemporary furniture and interiors inspired by traditional Outport living conditions and reality. A furniture/interior design competition is planned to follow the workshop in the spring with the intention of recruiting creators of locally rooted designs adapted to the various Shorefast projects on Fogo Island and Change Islands.

Method: Participants will be asked to work on the given tasks individually and in groups.
Local craftspeople and external experts will be engaged in the process throughout.
Formal input will be given regularly every fourth day.

Invited lecturers: 


Todd Saunders architect - Torbjørn Anderssen furniture designer - Sami Rintala architect - Lars & Jason Dressler furniture producers - Joseph Grima director - Kitty Scott director - Walter W Peddle expert on Outport furniture - Mike Paterson cabinet maker - Frank Tjepkema designer - Jerry Dick director of heritage NL - (Please note that the list is not complete and some names on the list are not yet confirmed).

Workshop coordinators: Steve Topping artist & Pall Einarsson industrial designer

Expenses: All travel and other expenses during the workshop will be covered.

For more information please contact:
Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, director
Fogo Island Arts Corporation
elisabet@shorefast.org

Deadline for applications is January 22th 2010
please e-mail applications including
- CV
- documentation of up to 10 works
- a text explaining interest in the project (max 400 words)
to elisabet@shorefast.org

The project is produced by the Fogo Island Arts Corporation in collaboration with the Shorefast Foundation on Fogo Island. The Fogo Island Arts Corporation is a contemporary art venue specializing in residencies for international artists and the production of art projects and workshops engaging both local and international participants. The Arts Corporation is supported by the Shorefast Foundation. The Shorefast Foundation is a Canadian-registered charity that is using entrepreneurial methods to help secure prosperity for the region of Fogo Island and Change Islands


http://www.shorefast.org

How to Plan an Oral History or Folklore Project (Corner Brook)

A practical, three-hour workshop on how to develop plans for cultural documentation projects. 

The workshop will take participants through the process of planning a project, from establishing goals, doing preliminary research, addressing issues around ethics and consent, choosing personnel, documentation methods, processing collected materials, equipment, and budgets.  This workshop will be beneficial to people who are contemplating folklore and oral history projects of all sorts, ranging from short-term projects involving a single researcher to complex, long-term projects involving many researchers. 

Instructor:   Dale Jarvis, ICH Development Officer

Tuition:       $25

Date:           Wed, Jan 27th, 2010, 1-4 pm

Location:     Grenfell Room B, Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook



Dale Jarvis is a folklorist, researcher, and author, who has been working for the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) since 1996. In April 2008, he took on the role of Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Officer for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, one of only two provincially funded, full-time folklorist positions in Canada.

Dale has a BSc (Hons) in Anthropology/Archaeology from Trent University (Peterborough) and an MA in Folklore from Memorial University. He is past president of the Newfoundland Historic Trust, and the author of two popular books on Newfoundland and Labrador folklore, and a third book of world ghost stories for young adult readers.

To register, contact Dale Jarvis at ich@heritagefoundation.ca or phone 1-888-739-1892 ext2

For a full list of workshops offered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Program, visit:

http://www.mun.ca/ich/classes/

Traditional Newfoundland dancing in Quidi Vidi Village

Starting Sunday January 10th from 3:30 to 5 p.m., please join us in the bar at the Quidi Vidi Brewing Company for an afternoon of traditional set dancing. We have a great space with dance-friendly wooden floors and a wonderful view overlooking Quidi Vidi Gut. Dances will be the 2nd and 4th weekend each month until Easter - usually on a Saturday, but the first dance is on a Sunday. We plan to have various traditional dance callers and musicians and feature dances from across Newfoundland and Labrador. We'll Run the Goat, do the Lancers, the Cotillion, the Swinging Eight, the Tucker, the Square Set, the Handkerchief Dance, and more! Come early if you don't have dance experience and we'll show you the basics starting at 3:20 p.m. and plan to get dancing as a group for 3:30. This is an all ages, 'scent-free' event.

Dance callers on Sunday January 10th are Jane Rutherford and Ford Elms with Stan Pickett on accordion.
Cost: $8.00 at the door ($5.00 for Seniors 60+ and young folk under 22)
When: Sunday January 10, 2010. The door opens at 3:00 p.m. and there'll be a short dance orientation for new dancers at 3:20 p.m. The first dance will start at 3:30 p.m.

Location: Quidi Vidi Brewing Company, 55 Barrows Road, Quidi Vidi Village, St. John's (parking available on site)

For more information, please conact Jane Rutherford at janerutherford@gmail.com

Are you a dance caller or dance musician? Let Jane Rutherford know if you're interested in getting involved. The schedule of callers and musicians for the series is being developed now.

It's winter, so come and dance!

Old Christmas Day - Jan 6th

"The season of Christmas is often said to be twelve days long, and ends for most people on "Old Christmas Day," January 6th. This date is liturgically the Feast of the Epiphany and signals the beginning of the third part of the church's Christmas season (Advent, Christmas proper and Epiphany). The comparatively recent name "Old Christmas" stems from the 1752 reorganization of the calendar when twelve days were dropped from the calendar; the following year, purists said that the "real" Christmas Day was not on December 25th, but January 6th, 365 days after the previous Christmas. The knowledge of the Old Style has led some Newfoundlanders to name "Old Old Christmas Day" (January 18th) as the "real" end of the season. Indeed mummering can sometimes be seen on the Southern Shore of the Avalon peninsula until the end of January."
- Philip Hiscock, Dept of Folklore, Memorial.

Taken from http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/custom.html

What is Tibb's Eve? Drink up, Newfoundland and Labrador, it's December 23rd.

Merry Tibb's Eve all!

What is Tibb's Eve? And where does Tibb's Eve come from? We've got you covered!

Many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians don't need much of an excuse to have a party. One of the most inventive local reasons might be Tibb's (or Tib's, or Tipsy) Eve.

For those of you who don't know what Tibb's Eve is, in Newfoundland, it is the eve of Christmas Eve, and it has a somewhat complicated history that is both old and new. 

Originally, St. Tibb was a character in English plays of the 17th century. A "tibb" in those times was a woman of loose morals, so Saint Tibb was a comedic character, intended to represent an impossible contradiction. Since St. Tibb couldn't exist, St. Tibb's Eve was a day that would never come. Owe someone money? Promise to pay them back on Tibb's Eve, and no problem!

At some point, Tibb's Eve became associated with the Christmas season, as in "a day that occurred neither before nor after Christmas" or "a day between the old year and the new."

Image: Dictionary of Newfoundland English Word Form Slips - Tibb's Eve

Newfoundlanders, perhaps looking for a reason to enjoy a drink during the abstemious season of Advent, inserted this day-that-would-not-come into their personal calendars. Somewhere on the south coast of the island, sometime after WWII, the day got fixed to December 23rd. 

In the 1960s and '70s, the expression still largely meant a day that wouldn't come, but in the '80s and '90s, the day of celebratory Pre-Christmas lubrication became more popular. Circa 2009-2010, St. John's bars and arts organizations introduced the idea of Tibb's Eve events to townies. With the rise of social media, the concept took off, and ex-pat Newfoundlanders spread the cheer wherever they were hunkered down for an away Christmas. 

Thirsty for more? There are a few places online you can look for more details:

• First up is the article "The origins of Tibb’s Eve" by Paul Herridge of The Southern Gazette, which includes an interview with folklorist Dr. Philip Hiscock. https://www.saltwire.com/lifestyles/the-origins-of-tibbs-eve-172334/?location=newfoundland-labrador
• The Archival Moments blog has an entry "Tippling on Tibb’s Eve http://archivalmoments.ca/tag/tibbs-eve/
• Tip’s Eve or Tibb’s Eve? Corner Brook long-term care residents celebrate eve of Christmas Eve https://www.saltwire.com/news/local/tips-eve-or-tibbs-eve-116700/?location=corner-brook 
• Tibb's Eve on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibb%27s_Eve
• Last up is the Dictionary of Newfoundland English entry for "Tib's Eve" https://www.heritage.nf.ca/dictionary/a-z-index.php#5010

In the mood for a suitable libation for Tibb's Eve? Why not try Charles Dickens's Own Punch, from 1847:

Peel into a very common basin (which may be broken in case of accident, without damage to the owner's peace or pocket) the rinds of three lemons, cut very thin and with as little as possible of the white coating between the peel and the fruit, attached. Add a double handful of lump sugar (good measure [although Dickens had rather small hands]), a pint of good old rum, and a large wine-glass of good old brandy‹if it be not a large claret glass, say two. Set this on fire, by filling a warm silver spoon with the spirit, lighting the contents at a wax taper, and pouring them gently in. Let it burn three or four minutes at least, stirring it from time to time. Then extinguish it by covering the basin with a tray, which will immediately put out the flame. Then squeeze in the juice of the three lemons, and add a quart of boiling water. Stir the whole well, cover it up for five minutes, and stir again.

Enjoy the day! Have a memory of Tibb's Eve, or call it something different? Comment below!

- Dale Gilbert Jarvis

(last updated, Tibb's Eve 2020!)

Revitalizing Tradition: The St. John's Mummers Parade

Well, the big Mummers Festival is over for this year, and was a tremendous success. Very special thanks to everyone who helped organize the events, and a huge round of applause for the HUNDREDS of mummers that showed up to take part in the final parade on December 20th. It was truly remarkable, and a fabulous thing to be involved with.

Now, the question that everyone is asking! Should it happen again? Take the poll below, or leave a comment with suggestions!

http://micropoll.com/t/KDYXmZ9Bj





Mummers Parade on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsZaBWrED3I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C1iI0HmeeI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SO6Q0yy4TI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlEEwkCz3V4


CBC Television Coverage:
http://bit.ly/4GXjb2


VOCM Article:
http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=3304&latest=1


Blog Mentions and Flickr sets:
http://www.candicedoestheworld.com/?p=149
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolphins42/sets/72157623038349104/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephennorman/sets/72157623047196328/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflik/sets/72157622928942309/

Mummers Parade This Sunday!!

The big day for the St. John's Mummers Parade is coming up fast, and we want you IN the parade! Full details at: http://www.mummersfestival.ca

MUMMERS PARADE
Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 1:00pm - 2:30pm:
MacPherson Elementary to The Rooms

The Mummers Parade needs you…and in disguise. We invite all mummers, janneys, hobby horses, Christmas bulls, nallajuit, ribbon fools, wren boys, and wren girls to this most exciting people's parade. According to some accounts, St. John’s used to have a mummers parade in the 1800s, and groups of mummers still parade from house to house throughout the province. But you won’t see too many mummers parading the streets of St. John’s these days. We’d like to change that. So shake out those long johns and borrow your Aunt’s size 42 bra. We’re calling all mummers to the Mummers Parade.The parade will start at MacPherson Elementary, pass through the Georgestown neighbourhood, and end on the grounds of The Rooms for a Christmas concert and Mummers Jam with music, dancing, and spaces for impromptu performances. We hope for more mummers than spectators in what might be the most exuberant, participant-focused parade in the province. Bring your music makers, disguises, hobby horses, wren sticks, songs, and dances.

When at The Rooms, stay in costume long enough to have your picture taken at our photo booth, so we can create a permanent archival photo collection of all our mummers!

PARADE LINE-UP: Between 1:00 pm and 1:15 pm

PARADE START TIME:
1:30 pm

LOCATION:
Macpherson Elementary School. 40 Newtown Road (behind Sobey’s on Merrymeeting Road).

PARKING:
There is no parking available at MacPherson School.


MUMMERS PARADE FOOD DRIVE
The Georgestown Neighbourhood Association is organizing a food drive in support of the Community Food Sharing Association in conjunction with the Mummers Parade this Sunday, December 20th. Food donations can be dropped off during the Rig Up at the entrance t MacPherson School prior to the parade beginning at 11:30 a.m., or at the Rooms at the end of the parade until 5:00 p.m.. Also, food-bank mummers will be collecting donations during the parade.

Parade route: MacPherson School to Merrymeeting Road; left on Merrymeeting Road to Bonaventure Avenue; left on Bonaventure Avenue as far as Howley Avenue; right onto Howley Avenue down to Belvedere Street; left on Belvedere Street as far as Fleming Street; right on Fleming Street as far as Hayward Avenue; right on Hayward Avenue as far as Mullock Street; up Mullock and over to the Rooms for the Mummers Concert and Jam.

Please be generous with your food donations, and enjoy the parade and concert/jam!!!