On December 8 & 9, 2018, H’art Centre staged two sold-out performances of The Wishing Tree marking a huge success for our first collaboration with artist Suzanne Pasternak. Inspired by local stories and legends of Prince Edward County, The Wishing Tree is a storytelling concert to be performed by H’art School and local performers.
In Prince Edward County, there stood a 700-year old sugar maple that some believed had magical powers to grant wishes. For 200 years, people would kneel beneath her canopy holding the branches and the leaves close to their hearts and make wishes that ultimately came true. Until one day, the tree was struck by lightning.
Featuring traditional and new songs, The Wishing Tree‘s musical style ranges from folk, gospel, polka and more. New illustrations, paintings, and props will bring the story of resilience, community and healing to life.
Produced by H’art Centre
Artistic Director and Author: Suzanne Pasternak
Performed by: H’art artists
Choreography by: Jessica Irwin with H’art artists
Musical Direction: Suzanne Pasternak
Orff Orchestra Director: Laura Scott
Orff Orchestra performers: H’art artists
Narration: Selwyn Langdon
Percussion Leaders: Daniel Chalmers and Julien Bouchard
Original paintings inspired by the theme of “wishes” by H’art artists were on display at the event.