2026 Solstice Workshop Registration is live!
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with us by participating in our free workshops in the lead-up to the Solstice Walk on December 21st.
-
Workshops are offered to the public free of charge. Free arts programming is important to us - it’s a way to give back to the community that helps us create our season events. Spaces are limited in these workshops, and they usually have waitlists. We ask that you consider the following:
If you register for a workshop, make the commitment to attend - put the dates in your calendar and show up.
If you sign up and realize you can no longer attend, please email us to withdraw your registration so someone else on the waitlist can participate.
If you are able, consider a donation to River Clyde Arts to assist with the administration and material costs of these workshops. Your contributions help us ensure we can continue to offer high-quality, accessible arts programming to the community.
Solstice Choir
A free community choir workshop led by Jamie Feinberg and Marti Hopson, open to youth and adults age 12 and above
-
Lend your voice to the Solstice Choir! This is a free community choir workshop open to youth and adults age 12 and above. You don’t need to have previous singing experience or read music - everyone and all skill levels are welcome!
The choir is led by Jamie Feinberg and Marti Hopson, who will be teaching 5 Solstice-inspired songs to be performed for the 2026 River Clyde Solstice Walk on Monday December 21, from 6:00-8:00pm in New Glasgow.
-
Thursday, Nov 19th, 6:30-8:30pm- Milton Community Hall
Monday, Nov 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm- Milton Community Hall
Monday, Nov 30th, 6:30-8:30pm- Milton Community Hall
Thursday, Dec 10th, 6:30-8:30pm- Milton Community Hall
Monday, Dec 14th, 6:30-8:30pm- Milton Community Hall
Thursday. Dec 17th, 6:30-8:30pm - The Mill in New Glasgow
-
Jamie Feinberg (she/her) is a performing artist, coach, mental fitness trainer, speaker and writer who finds joy in helping people to create a life they love. After spending the early part of her career as a professional musical director, arts educator, and performer, she started her own theatre company in New Hampshire in 2010, toured the states from 2016-2021 in an RV with her husband, and in August of 2021 moved to PEI. She is the director of Island A Cappella, a competitive, community a cappella chorus for women and non-binary people based in Charlottetown, and a freelance vocal coach and collaborative pianist.
Marti Hopson (she/her) grew up on the shores of Lake Superior, and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Concordia University and a Masters of Music at the University of Victoria. She composed, performed, and directed many musical and theatre events in Ontario, Quebec and BC before moving to Prince Edward Island. In 2016, she became involved with River Clyde Arts and over the years has collaborated as Music Director, composer, arranger and performer as well as providing sound art workshops. She conducts a community orchestra and loves exploring artistic opportunities- especially finding joy in everyday sonic and visual environments.
-
This workshop has low mobility demands and accommodations can be made.
Milton Community Hall
Getting in: There is a ramp at the entrance with a power-assist door.Washrooms: Accessible washrooms are on the main floor of Milton Hall.
The Mill in New Glasgow
Getting in: A wooden ramp on the right side of the building leads inside. There is one step just inside the door. A foldable metal ramp can be put down.Washrooms: An accessible, gender-neutral washroom with two stalls is on the main floor. A second gender-neutral washroom has a small step to enter.
If you have questions or access needs, please contact Hope Rector, Accessibility Coordinator, at access@riverclydearts.com
Dogwood Lanterns with Laura Stinson
Two sessions are available, one in New Glasgow and one in Summerside
-
Learn how to make your own illuminated sculpture out of red osier dogwood and old bedsheets with puppet designer Laura Stinson. Participants will be guided through a multi-step process in advanced yet accessible sculpting techniques to build their own lanterns. All ages are welcome; no experience is necessary. We will be using sharp tools, so participants under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
-
New Glasgow Session: Thursday, December 10, 6-9pm at The Mill in New Glasgow
Summerside Session: Friday, December 11, 6-9pm, location TBD (This workshop is presented in partnership with the Summerside Yuletide Festival)
-
Laura crafts images from both found and traditional materials. These creations become narratives, characters and atmospheres in a variety of theatrical spectacles. She began her career in puppetry with Bread and Puppet Theater in 2016, where she apprenticed under Peter Schumann and has continued to develop her puppet manipulation and construction techniques with Mermaid Theatre (NS, Canada), Compagnie Arketal (Cannes, France) and Compagnie Coatimundi (Châteaurenard, France). In 2017, she collaborated with Noella Murphy and Julia Walker to form A Road Less Gravelled Productions, which has performed puppet shows at art festivals throughout Nova Scotia. After four years working as a touring member and subsequent resident puppeteer for Bread and Puppet, Laura co-founded The North Barn Theatre Collective in 2020. She currently lives and makes art in Mi’kma’ki.
Want to learn more about the lantern-building technique? Check out the 2022 Solstice’s three part video tutorial here.
-
This workshop takes place in the Loft at The Mill, which is reached by a steep flight of stairs.
Lantern building can be done either seated or standing. It takes some hand strength and dexterity to bend and tie the dogwood branches and to work with sharp tools.
The Mill in New Glasgow: Loft
Getting in: The only way up to the Loft is via a steep flight of stairs. There is no elevator or ramp. If stairs are hard for you, please contact us before registering so we can talk through options.
Washrooms: An accessible, gender-neutral washroom with two stalls is on the main floor. A second gender-neutral washroom has a small step to enter.If you have questions or access needs, please contact Hope Rector, Accessibility Coordinator, at access@riverclydearts.com.
Char siu, Chinese-style BBQ pork workshop with Julia Zhong
-
Join Julia to learn how to make char siu, the Cantonese barbecue pork loved in homes and restaurants across southern China and around Asia. Julia will guide participants through every step, from preparing the sweet, savoury barbecue marinade to roasting the pork until it’s glazed and caramelized. Then, we’ll gather around the table and enjoy a delicious char siu lunch served with rice and vegetables.
All ages are welcome, participants under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
-
Saturday, December 6, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
The sunroom of the Mill in New Glasgow, (5592 Route 13, New Glasgow)
-
Julia Zhong is originally from China and has called PEI home since 2016. She is a passionate home cook who loves sharing Chinese cuisine with those around her. Julia also enjoys crafting, from handmade soaps to hand-drawn greeting cards.
-
This workshop has low mobility demands and light sensory demands. You will smell food cooking and hear some kitchen sounds.
The Mill in New Glasgow: Sunroom
Getting in: A wooden ramp on the right side of the building leads inside. There is one step just inside the door. A foldable metal ramp can be put down.Washrooms: An accessible, gender-neutral washroom with two stalls is on the same floor. A second gender-neutral washroom has a small step to enter.
If you have questions or access needs, please contact Hope Rector, Accessibility Coordinator, at access@riverclydearts.com.
Kids’ Lantern Workshop with Lokki Ma
-
Join Lokki Ma for a workshop for children ages 5 to 11 and their caregivers, where you’ll build a flaming torch lantern for this year’s Solstice Walk!
In this easy, hands-on session, kids will turn a long stick, a recycled plastic bottle, and tissue paper into a torch, then add battery-powered lights to make it glow. There will be options to personalize your torch, like a blue and white flame, a wizard’s staff with a glowing jewel, or whatever you can dream of!
All materials are included, but you’re welcome to bring your own perfect stick and a recycled bottle.
Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Space is limited to 10–12 children, and registration is required.
-
Saturday December 5, 2:00-4:00pm
The Sunroom of The Mill in New Glasgow (5592 Route 13, New Glasgow)
-
Lokki grew up in Summerside, PEI, and spent more than 15 years working as a head of props in theatre, including 12 seasons at Young People’s Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, before returning to the Island in 2022. While pursuing her graduate degree, she worked as a peer support worker with Creative PEI and is now completing her practicum to become a counselling therapist. A devoted attendee of RCP events, she’s grateful to lead a lantern workshop for littles for the third time. She looks forward to seeing you on December 21st!
-
This workshop has low mobility demands. Children and caregivers can work together at their own pace.
The Mill in New Glasgow: Sunroom
Getting in: A wooden ramp on the right side of the building leads inside. There is one step just inside the door. A foldable metal ramp can be put down.Washrooms: An accessible, gender-neutral washroom with two stalls is on the same floor. A second gender-neutral washroom has a small step to enter.
If you have questions or access needs, please contact Hope Rector, Accessibility Coordinator, at access@riverclydearts.com
Spinning Off Course: A DuttyHoops Workshop Series
-
Join DuttyHoops (Yigale Nyado) for a soulful, beginner-friendly movement workshop series using hoops. You’ll be guided through connecting with the patterns of circles, moving with sound, and transitioning the hoop on and off the body, all channelled into improvised, dreamy sequences. No previous experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome!
Together, we’ll create a short, fun group performance to share outdoors in the Gardens of Hope at this year’s River Clyde Solstice Walk on the evening of December 21st.
Hoops will be provided. If you’d like your own to practise with at home, we’ll share a purchase guide with suggestions from DuttyHoops after you register. Also check out this YouTube video on hoops tricks before class.
-
Saturday, Nov 28, 12:00pm-2:00pm - DownStreet Dance Studio (101 Grafton St, second floor)
Saturday, Dec 5, 12:00pm-2:00pm - DownStreet Dance Studio
Saturday, Dec 12, 12:00pm-2:00pm - DownStreet Dance Studio
Saturday, Dec 19, 12:00pm-2:00pm - DownStreet Dance Studio
Sunday, Dec 20, 12:00pm-2:00pm - Gardens of Hope (PE-258, New Glasgow)
Monday, December 21 - 6-8pm - performance as part of the River Clyde Solstice Walk
(This is a multi-session series that builds toward the group performance; participants are expected to attend all sessions.)
-
DuttyHoops (Yigale Nyado) is a rhythm flow movement artist dedicated to unearthing the art of surrender, weaving moons and revisiting play as a site of deep knowing and release.
-
Moderate to high mobility requirements, but movement adaptations are available. You’ll be standing and moving for most of each session. The final rehearsal and performance take place outdoors in the Gardens of Hope in New Glasgow.
If you have questions or concerns, please let us know in advance so we can plan together.
DownStreet Dance Studio (November 28 to December 19)
Getting in: The street entrance on Grafton Street, next to Subway, has two flights of stairs. For step-free access, enter through Confederation Court Mall on Grafton Street and take the elevator to the second floor.
Gardens of Hope (December 20 and the December 21 performance)
Getting in: Park in the PEI Preserve Company lot, where there are a few accessible spots. The ground in the gardens is uneven grass and gravel with some slopes. Expect winter conditions such as ice, snow and mud.
Washrooms: The PEI Preserve Company has accessible, gendered washrooms. The building is open to the public and has strong scents.
If you have questions or access needs, please contact Hope Rector, Accessibility Coordinator, at access@riverclydearts.com .
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2026 River Clyde Solstice Walk!
