Buffys 2023

Buffys 2023: Midnight at the Moulin Rouge was a spectacular spectacular! Hosted by drag royalty Billi Gold and Stella L'Amour, the event took place on October 21, 2023 at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts. Guests were transported to the Moulin Rouge in the heart of Paris. Performers took the stage to showcase that world class artistry is at home in Wood Buffalo. The high-energy festivities included sparkling wine, a delicious array of canapés, and a show to remember.

Buffys 2023: Award Recipients
  • Arts Administration Award: Public Art Wood Buffalo
  • Arts Education Award: Brooke McMillan
  • Craft Award: Meagan Magson
  • Creative Collaboration: The MMIWG2S Awareness Project by RBD Beauty Photography and Arctic Beauty
  • Dance Award: Nishka Rai
  • Indigenous Artist Award: Melinda Richter
  • Ken Flaherty Music Award: Mychela
  • Literary Arts Award: Dene Plews
  • Media Arts Award: Madilyn Hite
  • Performing Arts Award: Faith Kippenhuck
  • Rising Star Award: RhiAnna Albrecht
  • Visual Arts Award: Ashley Laurenson
  • Arts Champion Award: Erica Moeskau
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Alan Roberts
The Theme: Midnight at the Moulin Rouge

Glamour, extravagance, romance, and the wild bohemian spirit come together to create the enchanting and captivating world of the Moulin Rouge.

A world-famous cabaret and entertainment venue located in the historic Montmartre district of Paris, The Moulin Rouge was first opened in 1889. Since then, it has become a cultural icon and a symbol of artistic expression. The Moulin Rouge is renowned for its extravagant cabaret shows featuring can-can dancers, singers, acrobats, and magicians. It also served as the backdrop for Baz Luhrmann's Acadmey Award winning film, Moulin Rouge!

Buffys 2023 channeled this iconic venue with the theme, Midnight at the Moulin Rouge. The audience was transported to Paris and dazzled by world-class performances, breathtaking decor, and an unforgettable atmosphere.

The Buffys Awards

The 2023 Buffy Awards were created by Stacey Grant, Métis multi-disciplinary artist and beadworker. Each award is a unique beadwork medallion, made using traditional techniques. Utilizing her botanical knowledge, Stacey created floral motifs inspired by the award categories. Each finished medallion is about two inches in diameter, with a beaded edge and hide backing. Arts Council Wood Buffalo was honoured to have Métis Elder Marlene Cardinal present the awards to each recipient.

“The amount of love and time that goes into beadwork, the amount of spirit, of connection between the artist, the medicine, and the recipient is keystone to what the original meeting place of Nistawayaw was - ‘where the three rivers meet.’ Where knowledge, goods, love, and laughter were shared for generations in one form, and now, in another entirely. The medicine of beadwork in its entirety is a test of patience, meditation, and love. You leave everything negative at the door, you send it up with sage: to hold onto it while you bead is to stitch those thoughts and energy into it for eternity, an omen which the person gifted will feel. It’s a lesson on creating with love and patience, and for another to receive and benefit from as a medicine in the purest form. To me, that’s what art is. Art is medicine. Art is healing. Art is honouring the garden in which we are so fortunate to nurture.”

–Stacey Grant