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Even though Capoeira is an ancient art form, it is the glue for a 21st-century Brazilian family. Maya Annik Bedward’s documentary Why We Fight portrays the power of culture, family, and resilience by following the evolution of Capoeira’s use in the family from innocent fun to a way to cope with the daily challenges of their son’s…
A personal journey of four generations of Chinese Canadian women seeking their own identity takes on a creative format to engage audiences as the Dreamwalker Dance Company presents a virtual performance of Firehorse and Shadow. “The experience is very sensory based, and we like to shift perspective through using perception and imagery that lead you…
“Flamenco has kept me invested and interested because it is constantly challenging, and this is what drives me to continue. It’s a lifelong pursuit,” says Maria Avila. A Vancouver-based flamenco dancer, Avila is currently offering online courses to further people’s passion for this dance form amidst the pandemic. Avila started dancing as a young child…
Sandra Laronde wanted to make a difference in Canada. She created the Toronto-based Red Sky Performance with Indigenous art and stories for the stage, rejuvenating a community as a result of their performances. “[There was] somewhat of a vacuum of Indigenous performance in Canada at the time as it relates to interdisciplinary or dance works,”…
Dancers of Damelahamid will be holding the 14th annual Coastal Dance Festival online in celebration of Indigenous arts. The virtual video program will feature the world premiere of a short dance in honour of the late Elder Margaret Harris by Dancers of Damelahamid. Performances and stories by the Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, Git Hayetsk Dancers, Git…
“Dance is an expression of community, and the performer brings something to the performances based on their experiences,” says Arno Kamolika. A Bangladeshi-Canadian architect-turned-dancer, Kamolika is bringing her latest performance, Parasakti, to audiences on March 19, 2021 at UBC’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Growing up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Kamolika, who comes from an…
“Until Canada actually cares about this issue, our women are still going to go missing and be murdered at a high rate in this country,” says Lorelei Williams. Williams, an activist from the Skatin Nations on her mom’s side and Sts’ailes (Chehalis) on her dad’s side, is raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women…
Zahra Shahab, an artist known for blending visual art and choreographed pieces, will showcase a performative art piece at the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology (MOA) on Mar. 5, 2020 for International Women’s Day. Shahab entered into dance in an unconventional way. As a graduate from the University of Calgary School of Creative…
The Brazilian contemporary dance company Grupo Corpo will present two works at the Vancouver Playhouse on Feb. 28 and 29. Hosted by Dance House, this is the company’s second visit to Vancouver, following a ten year absence. “[Grupo Corpo has achieved a] reputation recognized around the world, because they truly do a very unique movement…
Vancouver has the luck of the Irish! This year Irish dancing is coming! It’s been a long time, and Deirdre Penk O’Donnell says it’s worth the wait. “This is the first time in 22 years that this event has been in Western Canada,” says Penk O’Donnell, chairperson for the 2019 North American Irish Dance Championships,…
Vancouver International Dance Festival will take on the city with its 2019 edition. From March 4 to March 30, dozens of celebrated artists perform in several places in Vancouver, showcasing powerful presentations from a diverse group of talented artists. Jeanette Kotowich, a Vancouver based performer, is one of the talents that will enlighten the art scene…
Blood on the Dance Floor, a powerful theatre performance by Australian indigenous artist Jacob Boehme, is currently on tour in Canada. Created in collaboration with ILBIJERRI, one of Australia’s leading theatre companies known for its innovative works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, the Vancouver performance will run in at the Simon Fraser University…
Med’Cine is a performance that reaches out to the soul of the viewer. O.Dela Arts, featuring Olivia C. Davies, has brought together two current feature dance pieces Gateways and Rematriate for a Nov. 17 performance at the Presentation House Theatre (PHT). “For the audience, Med’Cine is a description that represents the healing that can be obtained through the arts,” says Davies, a…
