The inaugural Isabel Human Rights Arts Festival is offering a wide range of concerts, film screenings and an art exhibit to help promote awareness and action on the issue locally and worldwide.

The first-ever event is highlighted by a concert by Juno Award-winning soprano Measha Brueggergosman as well as three international human rights films screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

“The arts are a powerful voice in promoting awareness and action in human rights,” says Tricia Baldwin, Director of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. “We are privileged to partner with diverse artists and human rights activists who have dedicated their lives to create a fairer and inclusive future for humanity. Nothing could be more important in this challenging political world climate, in which we are now immersed, than to inspire people to actively participate and create a political and legal environment that will protect diverse world citizens from prejudice, hatred and violence.”

Tickets are available at theisabel.ca or by calling 613-533-2424.

SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 pm
RAOUL WALLENBERG: THE ANGEL OF BUDAPEST
A film screening and discussion panel with renowned human rights lawyer David Matas and Michael Mostyn, CEO, B’nai Brith Canada.

Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 pm
SONGS OF SOVEREIGNTY
Concert features Marion Newman, Jeremy Dutcher and Cheryl L’Hirondelle, and is hosted by Queen’s Canada Research Chair of Indigenous Art, Dylan Robinson. Indigenous artists reclaim their musical heritage and showcase the vibrancy of Indigenous music today.

Wednesday, March 29, 7:30 pm
MEASHA BRUEGGERGOSMAN: SONGS OF FREEDOM
Juno Award-winning singer Measha Brueggergosman reconnects with her African heritage in her moving concert of African-American spirituals.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH FILM FESTIVAL – TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Monday, April 3, 7:30 pm
SYRIAN LOVE STORY – Directed by Sean McAllister
A love story between a Palestinian freedom fighter and a Syrian revolutionary who met as political prisoners.

Tuesday, April 4, 7:30 pm
TICKLING GIANTS – Directed by Sara Tacksler
Baseem Youssef, the “Egyptian Jon Stewart”, fights for free speech with wit and insight, but it’s no laughing matter.

Friday, April 7, 7:30 pm
NO DRESS CODE REQUIRED – Directed by Cristina Herrera Borquez
Victor and Fernando are stylists in Mexicali, Mexico who are the go-to professionals for the city's socialites. To their customers, they were a lovely couple – until they decided to legally marry. Losing the support of customers and friends and confronting a backlash of criticism, through their fight they woke up members of Mexicali's society to fight homophobia and inequality.

April 5-13
ACCESS ART QUEEN’S – Art & Media Lab exhibit at the Isabel
Disability as social identity. In collaboration with the Queen’s University Equity Office.

Thursday, June 1, 7:30 pm
CHARLOTTE: A TRI-COLOURED PLAY WITH MUSIC
Premiere of concert version by Alon Nashman and Aleš Březina, and directed and designed by Pamela Howard, features the art and words of artist Charlotte Salomon whose life was cut short in Auschwitz.