2024-25 Community Engagement
Holly Bright
CDC
Snuneymuxw homelands (Nanaimo)
“I was really not into doing this when we started. I am honestly glad I did it. I learned a lot about myself. I think I want to be a performer.” ~ Sam Jones, participant
Vocal improviser, Kyle Shepard with Body Talk Facilitator’s child
Movement warm up led by Renae Morriseau (left with drum), also pictured,
Body Talk participants, Danielea Castell (creative and catering support), Kyle Shepard (Vocal improvisation facilitator)
Since 2018, the already 14 year old, Body Talk Program has supported cross-cultural engagement between Indigenous and allied non-Indigenous youth from Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As, Stz'uminus Nations, and Urban and Métis Nations of Central Vancouver Island. The program seeks to de-centre the colonial structure of youth programs by Indigenous knowledge carriers, and the youth themselves, guiding the program’s direction and decision making.Body Talk Youth participants, many of whom live with the effects of intergenerational trauma, are supported by Indigenous Elders, facilitators, and artists to enrich mental wellness through creative arts expression, cultural learning, and traditional practices.
Throughout the year, youth in the Body Talk Cru Youth Council are mentored in cultural and performing arts practices while developing skills in event planning, marketing, public speaking, performance, and digital technology. The skills learned, as Cru, are practically applied in the planning and implementation of the Spring Break Workshops and a Culminating Performance.
This past March, in the Body Talk Spring Break Workshop, acclaimed artists Renae Morriseau, originally from Manitoba and of Saulteaux and Cree descent, (Acting/Dramaturgy), Kyle Shepard (Voice Training), Olivia Rockall (Hip Hop Dance Instruction) worked with youth participants to explore performance creation through storytelling, music, and dance in a safe, inclusive environment. Local knowledge keepers, Quuia Charleson (Nuu Cha Nulth, Ahousat First Nation) and Tsatassaya White (a member of Snuneymuxw and Hupacaseth First Nations) also provided the youth with guidance in cultural learnings, protocols, and practices. The week-long workshop culminated in the HiP HoP PoW WoW Performance where artists and participants shared a wonderful show with family, friends, and the greater community!
Vocal work led by Kyle Shepard, (back view on left, also pictured: youth participants, Danielea Castelle
Emily Carlson
Ancillary CDC
Secwepemc (Secwepemcul’ewc), Ktunaxa, Sinixt Territory (Revelstoke)
As part of the Revelstoke Winter Carnival February 2025, CDC Emily Carlson hosted a Variety Show for members of the Revelstoke community. It was wonderful to witness performers from ages 5 to senior share their talents with an audience of over 150!
“The Variety Show was an immensely impactful show for performers and audience members alike, with 24 artists performing and an audience of over 150! The responses we continue to receive from the community are incredibly positive! People left the show feeling inspired and expressed interest in continuing to nourish the performing arts in Revelstoke. The talent of Revelstoke showed up, from all ages and disciplines. It was a night full of laughs, art, music, dance, comedy, poetry and more. We look forward to being able to continue to host an event like this in the future.”
The contemporary dance routine was a nice way to top off a fun night! Attendee
Photo credit: Caitlin Alexannder
“It was amazing to watch a whole community come together on one stage and celebrate creativity. It’s so cool to see a small town give a platform for people of all ages to share their art and passion. I am excited for next year!” - Mia Knobler, event coordinator for LFI (local food initiative)
Erin Kennedy
Ancillary CDC
Territory of the Okanagan Nation (Vernon)
“Thank you so much for putting on the baby rave at the library. My 18 month old son had a blast dancing and making new friends! Free events like this are so important for little ones and new parents like myself to get out and get our endorphins going and our hearts pumping. Bravo“ Angela Pells, participant
In partnership with the Okanagan Regional Library Vernon Branch, Erin organized the North Okanagan's first ever Baby Rave! On May 17th, over 70 participants came to a morning dance party for young children and their caregivers. A free morning dance party that gives families a space to dance and create new social connections - and for babies to rave away!
Claudia Moore
CDC
Okanagan Nation Territory (Kelowna)
Top left, clockwise: Palak Dhiman and Claudia Moore; Sylvain Brochu;; Isaac Gasangwa aka. Izo Dreamchaser; Acacia Schacht; Claudia Moore; Palak Dhiman
Photos: Eliseo Santillan; Photo credit for Claudia Moore: LS Borzovoy.
CDC Claudia Moore, in collaboration with the Rotary Centre for the Arts, organised a series of Dance Salons to offer a taste of the diversity of contemporary dance! Over a series of 5 Sundays, audiences had the opportunity to get up close and personal with acclaimed dance artists. Artists participating in the Salon Series were: Isaac Gasangwa, Acacia Schacht, Sylvain Brochu, Claudia Moore and Palak Dhiman
Learning some of the hand movements of Kathak dance with Palak Dhiman
Claudia Moore
CDC
Okanagan Nation Territory (Kelowna)
In collaboration with the Rotary Centre for the Arts, Claudia has organised an opportunity for folks curious about contemporary danceo get up close and personal with acclaimed dance artists. Each artist will perform a short solo, teach you a few moves and answer any questions about this exciting artform.
The first Salon took place on April 13 with Isaac Gasangwa, known in the dance world as Izo Dreamchaser. Claudia writes:
"We had a truly wonderful 1st Dance Salon on April 13 with the magical Izo Dreamchaser and 8 enthusiastic participants. He began by performing a dazzling trio with 2 of the gifted students he is mentoring. After a brief chat about Izo's background with some amazing stories of his life in Rwanda and his transition to Vancouver, he then led us all in a simple rhythmic phrase that we all learned and thoroughly enjoyed dancing together. We ended the program with a chance for conversation between artists and participants. The smiles on everyone's faces and the heightened level of energy in the room were a testament to the joyful time we all experienced!"
Photo credits: Eliseo Santillan
Annecke Rosch
CDC
Sinixt Nation and the Yaqan Nukiy (Ktunaxa) (Nelson)
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Jojo Zolina
In a collaboration with Slava Doval's Dance Fusion Studio and Dance West Network CDC Annecke Rosch, Vancouver dance artist Jojo Zolina, offered workshops in House dance, Groovin' and Waack/Punk 73 youth and adults!
Jojo believes dance can break barriers and inspire change. Many of the youth had never experienced these styles of dance and Jojo’s workshops challenged dancers in ways that changed the dancer and performers to think outside the box of what dances can achieve. The workshops were also attended by 6 local dance instructors, ensuring a continued legacy of the workshop.
Jojo Zolina with some very enthusiastic workshop participants! Photo courtesy of Slava Doval’s Dance Fusion Studio
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Ballet Kelowna
Ballet Kelowna visited Sinixt Nation and the Yaqan Nukiy (Ktunaxa) (Nelson) in September 2025, and as well as performing at the Capitol Theatre they offered two workshops to local youth. The first was for school age students, many of whom had never experienced a ballet class previously, inspiring an interest in taking more classes!
"It was a lot more fast-paced than ballet classes I've taken in the past which was really fun. It really changed my vision of Ballet; it made it feel more like hard-work than ballet looks, like it makes it look effortless." -Mateus (grades 6-8 group)
"It was great. I learned a lot of ballet stuff; I'd never done ballet before."-Jean (grades 6-8 group)
"It was so cool. It was quite a challenge because I haven't done that much ballet and the choreography was so fast but it was so fun." -Ivy (grades 6-8 group)
The second workshop was a semi-professional level class for dance students from local studios. The students enjoyed the challenge of a high level class!
photo, Dance students Grades 9-12
Fior Saoirse Skye
CDC
Ts’msyen La̱xyuup homelands,Prince Rupert
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Ana Sosa
As part of the Northern BC Re-Centering/Margins alumni Residency, artist 2023/24 Residency alumni Ana Sosa and Matt Emmings visited the Ts’msyen La̱xyuup homelands to offer a dance workshop by Ana as well as to showcase the collaboration of pieces that she and Matt Emmings had developed for the Community Moves showcase in May produced by Method Dance (territory of the Lheidli T’enneh/Prince George)
The workshop was such a blessing an opening of the heart, it felt so nice to work together, and be authentic in my body - Elisha
It was a great joy to explore phrasing and storytelling through movement, experiment with flocking, and create a movement piece together. Watching the collabroation between Ana and Matt was delightful and inspiring. It was nice when we took the activity to the local sunken garden and shared the experience with locals. - Fior
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Winter Fest
During Prince Rupert's Winterfest, Foir Saoirse teamed up with students from Leaders in Action at Coast Mountain College to create an illuminated dance space for the nighttime celebration. Members of the community had the opportunity to dance and play with a variety of circus and dance props while we captured the fun and light trails with long exposure photography.
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Holiday Flash Mob
In the winter, Kodinna Anaka, again graced us with his talents by breaking down some dance moves so students and family members from Coast Mountain College could bring some cheer to our community by performing a flash mob throughout the downtown core, dancing to popular holiday songs.
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Thriller Flash Mob
During the fall 2024, we worked with Kodinna Anaka, a performer with a deep passion for content creation. Originally from Nigeria, he is currently studying business at Coast Mountain College and shared his passion for dance by helping choreograph a Thriller Flash Mob. He brought energy and charisma to the rehearsals and was able to teach dozens of students, staff and community members the moves to the famous Michael Jackson dance. We were able to take the dance to the streets and perform throughout the city on Halloween.
Katie Wertz
CDC
Wet'suwet'en Territory (Smithers)
Miriam Colvin The River
Participants left inspired and with a greater knowledge of each of the artists independent and collaborative work, and how to stay informed about future opportunities.
"For me, the highlight of the show was the beginning of Vessel. I've spent a lot of my life fishing in the rivers, and exploring beaches of lakes and oceans and your movements spoke to me of the currents and the movement of water." - Eric
CDC Katie Wertz collaborated with artists Natu Bearwolf, Robin Lough, Miriam Colvin and Robin Lough, and Lindsay Delaronde to share Dancing the Land on Film, an evening of conversation, food, and archived dance on film. Building on artist relationships created during the Dance West Network’s 2021 Northern BC Residency, and the workshop Dancing the Medicine, Dancing the Land, facilitated by Lindsay Delaronde on Wet'suwet'en Territory in 2024, the film highlighted these artists' independent and collaborative works (2021-2024) that incorporate land-based and multi-disciplinary dance practice(s), all based on Wet'suwet'en Territory, creating a visual story of the way each dancer is weaving their independent work into the greater community tapestry, encouraging interdependence and strong community relations as a core way of moving.
