Secret Salon Series


We are delighted to announce our Secret Salon Series, offering immersive cultural experiences that merge art, education, science, music, and nature in unexpected ways. Events are held at Secret Headquarters, our beautiful studio in East Vancouver, home to hundreds of enchanting lanterns as seen at our Annual Winter Solstice Festival.

A Proud Metis Dwelling Here, in the Lee of The Sisters

Thursday may 2nd

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM PST

Nature is telling us her secrets, if only we slow down to listen. This principle guides the work of Metis artist Gregory Coyes who gratefully lives, works and plays in the lee of The Sisters, the twin peaks that the settlers refer to as “the lions” in North Vancouver. 

Gregory will screen a  selection of his Slow Media pieces which explore an Indigenous sense of cinematic time and space. This media will accompany a selection of songs and stories from Gregory’s portfolio. In the lantern-lit loveliness of Secret Headquarters we will visit in the Cree and Metis tradition referred to as, “kîhokewin”, with fresh bannock & jam, locally harvested rosehip, hibiscus flower and hawthorn berry tea, all warmly shared with musicians Gregory Coyes (voice & guitar), Jesse Rankin (guitar), Naomi Steinberg (flute & vocals), Martin Reisle (cello).

Event Notes / Be Prepared:

  • Tickets are available by sliding scale ($30-$50). Suggested admission: $35

  • Doors open at 7:30 PM

  • Space is limited to 20 participants

  • Complimentary tea, bannock & jam provided

Your donation contributes directly to supporting our programming to continue ongoing learning and cultural sharing. We thank you for your support. If you have financial barriers preventing you from purchasing a ticket, please email admin@secretlantern.org and we will do our best to accommodate.

Artist Bio

When he graduated from Yale University, Gregory Coyes seemed destined for a career in geology/glaciology—but a role in the 1983 feature Running Brave set him on another path. A filmmaker of Métis/Cree and European descent, over the last forty years he has created programming for many of the major broadcasters. These include Stories from the 7th Fire, an animated series based on the art of Grand Shaman, Norval Morriseau, and Live from the Hundred Years Café, a music series hosted by Coyes himself. No Turning Back (1996) documents the groundbreaking work of Canada’s Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and How the Fiddle Flows (2002) traces the unique evolution of the Métis music and dance tradition. Both of these films were produced by the NFB. Gregory is the founder of the Slow Media community which explores an Indigenous sense of cinematic time and promotes decolonized media. And he currently coordinates and teaches in the Indigenous Digital Film Program at Capilano University. Gregory is also a songwriter and guitar player steeped in Metis musical traditions. He regularly performs with Savoir Faire, a 5 piece, Vancouver-based folk band.

Facilitator Website Link:
 https://www.slowmediacommunity.com/about
Facilitator Social Media Handle:  
https://www.instagram.com/goodmedicinemedia/

Getting Here: Secret Headquarters is located at 1398 East 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Bus # 22 is within walking distance; VCC Clark and Commercial Skytrain Stations are within 10 minutes' walk. Free parking on the street and in the large parking lot in the alley between 3rd and 4th.

Accessibility: Secret Headquarters is wheelchair and walker accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at (778) 323-9489 or admin@secretlantern.org.