Forget's Happy Nun Cafe set the scene for the latest SaskScapes podcast taping, Friday, Sept. 11.
The host of SaskScapes, Saskatoon broadcaster, Kevin Power, says, “The world is listening to Saskatchewan's stories.”
“Our podcast is an hour-long radio program. You can listen to it whenever or wherever you want online-your phone, your iPad, your iPod or your computer. We've got 58 episodes so far and over 15,000 listeners. Our audience is global-in addition to Canada and the U.S., we've got listeners from France, the Netherlands, Mauritius and Kenya.”
“I really like the idea of a story slam,” adds Power. “People just get up on a stage and tell a five to 10 minute story about themselves. Once I saw the Nun, it knew it was a natural setting for our podcast.”
“I only found out about this place about six weeks ago,” says Power. “SaskCulture had a meeting here and I thought 'I have to come back here.'”
“It's a fantastic place and it's got a top-notch menu. It really is impressive.”
A native of Nova Scotia, Power-also an actor and singer-has appeared in the Canadian productions ofLes Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera; as well as CBC'sThe Border.
“I appeared in the first season of Suits, but I died,” he laughs.
“Now my job is to go out and meet people and tell their stories,” he says. “I've talked to people from ages six to 102.”
“People are often reluctant at first, but I spend hours editing and I promise, I'll make you sound like a million bucks.”
Power began the broadcast with a few stories of his own-one of which was an account of the challenges of growing up gay in small-town Nova Scotia; along with a story of his encounter with an empathetic teacher who “literally saved my life,” complete with a heartwarming twist.
Teacher Joan Bue of Carlyle gave an empathetic reading of the poem, The First Day of School, “by my favourite poet, Canadian Sheree Fitch.”
Bue's husband, Shannon Klatt, spoke from the heart with a tale of daring to be different that intersected the worlds of theatre and romantic love, telling the audience: “Don't be afraid to go out and do things. You never know how it's going to go. If I hadn't done something different, I never would have met my wife.”
Kierra McMillen of Bellegarde celebrated her birthday with the story of a similarily destiny-altering meeting, as she recounted the story of seeking-and finding-her biological father.
“I feel euphoric and I was so happy to share my story about finding my biological father,” she said. “And I know he will get a kick out of it.”
A set of conversation cards at his table inspired Joel Mryglod of Carlyle to share the story of his engagement to his wife, Katie. The story of the pair's engagement proved to be a touching and funny tale of a proposal in a secluded spot that was almost derailed by a family of seven and was captured forever in photographs.
However, this SaskStories taping also captured stories of life's challenges.
Bonnitta Whitrow of Weyburn recalled a hospital stay in 2007, when as a 22-year-old, she was bedridden with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Instead of dwelling on her illness and its frightening effects, Whitrow inspired the audience with her journey to regain her health and led an impromptu session of laughter yoga, adding: “Laugh-even if it's fake, you're body doesn't know the difference.”
Power's SaskCulture colleague, Damon Badger-Heit came to the Friday night taping with his young family. Appropriately, he spoke about the joys and challenges of fatherhood and his concern for a friend and fellow father who was struggling.
Nun staffer Jillian Vinge paid tribute to the life of her late grandfather, Glenn Vinge, “Our papa,” by reading his eulogy, complete with wisdom and humour from Weyburn's coffee row and the importance of family, friends and a reminder to appreciate every moment of life's changes and challenges.
Souris-Cannington federal NDP candidate Vicky O'Dell took a night off from the campaign trail to attend the taping and said, “This is a great evening. It was also great to hear people's stories and to celebrate such a personal, intimate evening with such superb food. I had no idea what kind of evening this would be. But ultimately, I would describe it as 'hopeful.'”
Joel Mryglod summed up his experience this way: “Everytime I come here, I taste the food but I also taste the love and the warmth and the enjoyment. We're so lucky to have a place like The Happy Nun to come to.”
For more information, visit: www.thehappynuncafe.com and follow @kevinpowerlive on Twitter.
To download the podcast, visit SaskScapes by SaskCulture on iTunes.
