Posted: July 30, 2021
Lights, Camera… Paddle!
The Youth Water Leaders volunteered as paddlers for a performance of Deluge, a rock concert on rising seas, an amazing intersection between climate activism, powerful music, and a story that our world needs to hear.
Meeting at shores of the Rideau River, a tributary of the Ottawa River, at the House of PainT, our youth were greeted by some friendly masked faces from Skeleton Key Theatre, Ottawa Riverkeeper’s Company-in-Residence. What does a theatre company have to do with environmental movements? Plenty, our youth discovered, as they signed up to be volunteers in Skeleton Key Theatre’s National Art Centre’s Grand Act of Theatre. You can listen to Kate Smith, Artistic Director, describe how COVID complicated the preparations for this performance on CBC.
The Grand Act was a performance of Deluge, a rock concert on rising seas, an amazing intersection between climate activism, powerful music, and a story that our world needs to hear. Deluge follows climate change refugees and their struggle to survive in an unpredictable environment due to rising sea levels. This music video and performance accompanies their album release earlier this year and, for an added performance element, they brought in volunteer kayakers to fill their backdrop.
Our youth were up to the challenge of filling the role of kayakers. After a quick explanation, our youth headed out onto the river. Some were trying kayaking for just the first or second time, while others were seasoned professionals who offered some helpful advice. Once everyone had settled into their kayaks, the youth started practicing their paddling and kaya-ography. It was a fun sight to see brightly coloured kayaks looping around bridge pillars and crossing paths with each other. Being out on the water, after so much time this year stuck at home, was a great opportunity to connect with the watershed, meet new people, and build a sense of community, even if it was just for a couple hours.
Once the choreography was perfected, the kayakers headed off the water to their starting location to prepare for the show. As the time for the performance approached, the wind died down and the forecasted rain never came. When the signal was given, a group of approximately 20 kayakers paddled in time with the music, bringing depth to the performance and enhancing the centrality of water to the show’s theme.
The performance was incredible! With its bright lights and colours, captivating set, and powerful instrumentals, passersby were immediately drawn to the action. Our youth and other volunteer kayakers, not to be outdone by the flashy performance and amazing costumes, turned on their own lights strung across their kayaks for the grande finale of the show. They lit up the backdrop as they kayaked into the frame, pausing with arms raised as the last of the music swelled before slowly drifting downstream with the current.
How many people get to say they acted as a kayaker in a music video? Probably not too many we’d bet. Especially not one with such a powerful call for rising together to change our world. Our Youth Water Leaders were thrilled to be part of such an exciting and unique experience. Check out Deluge now or keep an eye on the NAC’s website in early fall to see the Youth Water Leader’s debut performance and Skeleton Key Theatre’s amazing Deluge concert.
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