Liam Sturgess Wins "Kind Heart Award" at 2020 Civic Youth Awards

Happy Canada Day, everybody! I just got back from performing at the Lonsdale Quay Market, marking my first in-person show since COVID-19 lockdown began in March. I’m very happy to be returning to a new normal, which is quickly picking up steam.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some (admittedly late) news, which is that I was chosen to receive the Kind Heart Award from the City of North Vancouver at the 2020 Civic Youth Awards! While I was looking forward to the award ceremony, it was equally special to receive the certificate in the mail.

Symbolically, this represents the culmination of several years of fulfilling work within North Vancouver. In 2016, I began working with Jill Cameron and her then-team in the Public Spaces department through their Play: Embrace the Space Program. I was given the chance to help lead a busking initiative which has inspired more excellent street performers to take the stage in North Van, and have provided a musical element to a good handful of other wonderful events and initiatives (such as our Long Table Lunch Series).

That’s not to brag, so much as to look back with pride and feel that our time has been well-spent together. I turn 25 this September, which will age me out of the category of “Youth”. That meant this was my last year to be considered, and it’s very fulfilling to be able to celebrate the last few years in this manner.

Thank you so much to Jill Cameron and Leah Herman, as well as Julia and Juliana for being my favourite local government workers around. Also, a huge thanks to Mayor Linda Buchanan for allowing the buck to stop in the hands of such a huge supporter of the arts.

Here’s to even more fun in the City of North Vancouver in 2020!