Neyom Friday  

Based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, McMahon is making a name for himself as one of the most dynamic comedy performers working in Canada today. Considered a comedian that happens to be Native, rather than being a Native comedian, McMahon steers clear of cultural stereotypes onstage, instead his live show combines standup, improv, and sketch comedy weaving hilarious stories, characters, and a very unique and original style of comedy. A graduate of the Second City Toronto Conservatory, armed with a degree in theatre, McMahon is unlike any other Native comedian working today in Indian Country. In '08 McMahon hosted & headlined the pre-show to Canada’s Premiere Music Awards Show, the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg (APCMA’s), he hosted and performed at the '08 Manito Ahbee Kick Off Social, he began work on development of his own web series & sitcoms for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) & Showcase Television. Fast forward to '09, McMahon is busier than ever. Nominated for the '09 North American Indigenous Image Awards (NAIIA) as BEST COMEDIAN - McMahon’s comedy stock continues to rise. He's currently slated to star in the first season of the sketch comedy series, “The Bionick Bannock Boys” for APTN, he hosted & performed on APTN’s, “National Aboriginal Day Live 09” broadcast from Whitehorse, Yukon. McMahon is currently attached to close to a dozen TV & film projects and he continues to be one of Canada’s rising stars. McMahon continues his commitment working with youth in communities delivering his Leadership Through The Arts Program through his company, he’s also the lead educator in the Aboriginal Arts Training & Mentorship Program at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, the creator/performer of, “The Clarence Two Toes Radio Show” and “Life According to Clarence Two Toes”, improv comedy podcasts, in 2008-09 the podcasts received close to 100,000 downloads and is featured on iTunes Canada.

Happy Frejo is a member of the Seminole and Pawnee tribes of Oklahoma and Xicana. She is an Actress, Singer/Songwriter, Dance Instructor and Independant Filmmaker. She travels to reservations and native communities teaching Hip Hop dance and Youth Theatre Workshops. Happy performs with Kevin Locke Dance Ensemble which is a native dance troupe that travels all over the world conducting workshops and performances. Happy has her own original band called “Happy Soul Project’ She is part of a native non-profit organization known as NVISION. who was featured in an 8-part Documentary Series called 4 REAL airing on MTV/Canada, National Geographic & the CW in November of 2008. One of Happys original songs was also featured in this 4 REAL Episode. She currently resides in Los Angeles pursuing a career in Film, T.V. and Theatre and promotes an Independent Short Film titled “My Darkest Hour” based on the effects of a broken home, which she wrote and directed. Her upcoming projects are finishing her first c.d., publishing a book of her original poetry, and shooting her second project a documentary film on youth.

You know the show's topic tends to go from here to there so we'll see what we can get into. in the meantime check out the photos taken by Thosh. http://thoshography.carbonmade.com/

Apryl Allen is becoming recognized as a unique talent with the ability to create lyrics and music that reflect her passionate outlook on life and personal experiences – varied and inspirational experiences that are shared by many drawn to her music. In a relatively short span of time Apryl has written and recorded two albums. The first, Morningstar is a tour de force consisting of eleven songs that demonstrate her songwriting ability across multiple musical genres – Blues, Jazz, Country, Pop, Adult Contemporary and others are represented in this compilation. Apryl’s second album Shapeshifter is rapidly becoming a cultural phenomenon. What started as a personal journey in words and music through her Comanche ancestry has become a touchstone for Native Americans throughout the country and the world. Her ability to blend traditional Native American music and sounds with modern music and arrangements is a lyrical and musical marvel. This music comes from a place deep within her soul and inner being; it resonates with people from all cultural backgrounds. Shapeshifter is receiving extraordinary responses throughout the US and internationally from fans as far reaching as France, Italy, Spain, England, Ireland and Japan. Shapeshifter has been placed in the Comanche Nation Historical Archives and is merchandized at the internationally recognized Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, and the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Institution) in Washington DC. Apryl spent much of her formative years living on the Comanche Reservation with relatives and maintains close ties with family members and tribal elders that remain there. Her heart is never far from the grace and simplicity of the culture she identifies so strongly with. Apryl is a Voting Member of The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s), a contributing member of both the GRAMMY’s and NAMMY’s, a member of ASCAP, has performed at the Cutting Room in New York, and at Native American venues. www.aprylallen.com

Jay Tavare has a very high profile resume having worked with such Academy Award winners as Meryl Streep, Ron Howard, Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Renée Zellweger, and Nicole Kidman. Jay supports The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program exists to create a Bridge of Hope between Native Americans and other cultures. It allows us to reach out to one another, share our gifts, and mend the broken circle of our relationship with the Land and the Native Americans who hold it in sacred trust.