Indigenous Culture at The Grand Theatre – Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret

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This weekend I attended the world premiere of Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret with Andrea Menard, and it was marvellous! This foray into Métis indigenous culture is another reason to look into Indigenous Tourism in Canada. Productions like Rubaboo are a segue way to understand and appreciate Indigenous artists in Canada.

This uplifting musical celebration is directed by Alanis King and features original music and stories by powerhouse, Métis singer/songwriter Andrea Menard.  Rubaboo is playing on the Spriet Stage at The Grand Theatre from March 7^th through 25^th, 2023.   

Indigenous culture

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Derived from the Michif word for “leftovers stew” or “big pot,” Rubaboo will take audiences on an intimate, moving, and joyous musical journey – guided by powerhouse, Métis performer, Andrea Menard. An award-winning singer-songwriter and actor, Andrea’s lyrical voice and masterful story telling will envelop you into the beauty of Métis culture.

With her long-time collaborator, Robert Walsh, Menard sings 19 songs and unravels tales throughout this 90-minute show. The songs are entertaining, funny and poignant and give us a view into native life. The beauty of seeing Indigenous artists perform on stage is they can tell wonderful – but and at times tragic – stories of ancestors and lived experiences.

Menard speaks to the indigenous ways of honouring being a little different. “We tend to make the ordinary, sacred.” say Menard “We elevate the status of something or someone in a way that surpasses respect and lives more in the land od reverence.”

She was able to engage her audience with encouraging There is a content advisory because the “production features songs and subject matter centering on topics of sexual abuse, sexual violence, and residential schools, which may be triggering for some individuals.” Although we did not find any song offensive or disturbing, our experience may not be that of others and I did want to point this out.

I loved the musicians and their participation in vignettes illustrating the songs. The music was very folksy in style but enjoyable. One interesting instrument worth noting was the Chapman stick which resemble a sitar but was more like a 12-string guitar. Nathan Aswell masterfully played it throughout this performace.

The back up vocals and fiddle played by Karen Shepard added another layer to the music. One cannot have Metis music without a fiddle, Menard pointed out during the introductions. I would have to agree joyful music always has a fiddle or violin!

Lastly, also really loved the large artwork panels decorating the stage created by Métis artist Leah Dorion. This original indigenous art was then blown up and printed on screens to provide colour and beauty to the stage.

Overall, I believe this is a wonderful production and I’m thrilled to see more indigenous culture to encourage more indigenous tourism. The more we see, hear and experience, the more we will understand and appreciate these creative traditions. I recommend you go.

Other productions at The Grand Theatre & Stratford Festival

• Travel 25 years via BOOM X at The Grand Theatre – You’ll love the ride
• Controlled Damage at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario
• Grand Theatre’s production of Elf: The Musical!
• Room at The Grand Theatre in London – You should go! #LdnOnt
• My Kingdom for a Horse… Outstanding Richard III at The Stratford Festival

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