Crimson Coast Dance: 

Body Talk and InFrinGing

 Body Talk began in 2004, and is currently ‘directed’ by a group of 7 Indigenous youth and 1 non-indigenous youth. In 2019-20 the program was facilitated by CEF, Ecko Aleck, born into the Nlaka’pamux Nation (Interior Salish) and raised with the Shishalh Nation (Coast Salish).

 The Program includes a Spring Break workshop called Body Talk HiP HoP PoW WoW, and in March 2020 the team at Crimson Coast Dance quickly pivoted the workshop online (due to COVID-19). Three artists from different disciplines,  Ecko Aleck, Sirreal, (Matt Dunae) AJ “MegaMan” Kambere, shared workshops with teens in music production, rap writing, and urban street dance, and Body Talk HiP HoP PoW WoW reached over 140,000 people online!

Testimonials:

“I know that I said that I would be unable to attend Body Talk, but I think that I would actually like to go. I think that it would help me realize the good in the world that I have been hiding myself from. If I am still invited to go, then I would love to go.” - Body Talk teen Cru Member and Workshop participant

 “Day one of The Body Talk Project, this youth walked in literally on the arm of a return youth and while decidedly showing a gentle sparkle behind the eyes, scarcely spoke a word the entire 2 hour meeting. When it came to the dance portion of our meeting she froze like a deer in the headlights and refused to participate. By week 2, she was willing to stand and follow what was going on with her body and was more willing to answer questions. Over the season this youth has transformed into an articulate, outgoing and even flamboyant personality that thrives on the energy of a group, as well as has exercised her leadership both in trying her hand at facilitating part of a meeting, and by taking on Master of Make-up role for performance day at the Port Theatre, at the closing end of our main event week.” – Mariko Ihara, Made in BC CEF, Nanaimo

InFrinGinG Online: Alternative Reality Launchpad 2020

“Theatres are closed and audiences everywhere are spending more time online. The juncture of performance and technology has become increasingly of interest to artists. Digital encounters are often more accessible to audiences around the world and offer limitless opportunities for creativity and experimentation. Innovations in the dance sector that integrate Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality are popping up everywhere. The Crimson Coast Dance team has put together a little list of resources that showcase some of these works, so that you can explore dance in alternative realities—at home! This list is by no means exhaustive, and we hope that you can use it as a launching pad for your own explorations.” Click here for more info.

InFrinGinG Fest 2017 
Click to watch video

“ What a fabulous CCDS Event yesterday…..wished I could have stayed for all of it. Such diverse and talented programming and audience too!  I was so moved and grateful to be able to call Nanaimo home to such diversity!” - Lynda Adams