MAINSTAGE 2025-2026
Where You Go
O.Dela Arts
*password: whereyougo2025
Photo: Luciana D'Anunciaçao
Where You Go
In a world where the only event that keeps you moving forward is the potential that you will meet your beloved once again, two spirits find themselves in the spaces in between, where damages are repaired, love knows no bounds and the only way to go is up. Climbing forever up towards the stars that only shine for them, bodies take turns falling ever so softly back to the earth to start all over again. This lucky pair of star-crossed lovers, reunited in the Afterlife, carry forward the agreement of the heart, ’til death do us part.
Created in collaboration with choreographer, Olivia C. Davies, and dance artists Kelly McInnes and Brandon Schwinn, "Where You Go" is a contemporary duet inspired by the old adage, 'til death do us part'. Originally commissioned by Vancouver' vocal ensemble, Musica Intima, the work premiered for film in 2022 and made its stage debut in May 2025 at the Annex Theatre in Vancouver where the vocal ensemble performed live with dancers, singing acapella to a contemporary classical score featuring works by composers David Lang and Luca Marenzio. *Note: The work can now be presented live without the vocal ensemble; using professional audio recordings of the vocal ensemble for playback.
Where you go was originally conceived in 2021, amidst lockdowns and other imposed measures of isolation that left many lonely and fearful. Inspired by the love story at the heart of Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms”, the dance follows two lovers bound by a certain death that will take one from the other. While one lover moves through her daily life, the other holds tight to the secret he knows he must share with her and eventually allows it to seep out. Upon learning of his impending death, she struggles to capture the passion they share, if only for a moment longer. With his dying breath, he holds her once more before passing through this world to the Afterlife.
Inspired by the 1970's duet by Savannah Walling and Terry Hunter, "Klangenfort", Klangenfort: Redux is an ode to the everlasting love that continues to transmute the ones left behind. In Davies' version, Death approaches and sweeps away the tears of loss. The lover who remains catches a glimmer of her former lover and clings to his ghost with all her heart. She is determined to reanimate him, if only for one more waltz. His lifeless body carries the echoes of all the love they shared, until once more his spirit departs, leaving her surrounded by the light of their love.
O.Dela Arts
O.Dela Arts values creativity, integrity, and kinship.
The mandate of O.Dela Arts Society is to support the creation and production of contemporary Indigenous choreography by women through community-engaged projects, creative collaboration across discipline and generation, new project commissions, and Matriarchs Uprising.
O.Dela Arts is committed to undertaking projects that support the research and creation of Managing Artistic Director, Olivia C. Davies and the company’s artistic associates, and support the development of production and touring of O.Dela Arts’ creations and collaborations. O.Dela Arts supports the development of educational workshops, community-engaged and interdisciplinary projects offered by its artists with a view towards sharing open-access knowledge and lived experience. Guided by Anishinaabe cultural teachings based on the principle of mutual respect, the company prioritizes a working environment that encourages collaboration and courageous creative expression.
Creativity. At the heart of all we do is the pursuit of creative storytelling through movement that carries out an honoring of individual expression and collective co creation.
Integrity. We strive to engage in reciprocal exchanges that are rooted in an honoring of our diverse natures while expanding the possibility for excellence.
Kinship. Our work is grounded in a passionate desire to uphold meaningful connections, nurture trust and offer mutual respect.
Founded in 2017, and registered as a not-for-profit organization in 2018, O.Dela Arts seeks to develop audiences for contemporary Indigenous dance and interdisciplinary arts.The organization is built upon peer exchange, professional development and performance presentations.
Our organization has persevered in curating captivating live performance, creating and commissioning new works and fostering partnerships with other Indigenous and Non-Indigenous artists, presenters and producers. We continue to build capacity in our administrative and fundraising efforts, and develop new goals and objectives for our future with live performance, online activation, and creative engagements with visionaries in the fields of dance, digital design, augmented and virtual reality, music and poetry.
Our vision encompasses a future where dance can flourish in the arts ecology and live performance can take new paths to reaching a widening circle of witnesses.
O.Dela Arts takes us beyond arts and into the heart-shaped space of our spirit. (Olivia C. Davies)
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Premiere Date: May 2, 2025, Musica Intima, Annex, Vancouver, BC
May 3, 2025, Musica Intima, Grandview Park, Vancouver, BC
*preview performance was filmed February 2022 at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, BC
Project Created by: Olivia C. Davies
Key Artistic Collaborators: Olivia C. Davies: Concept, Choreography
Kelly McInnes: Dance Artist
Brandon Schwinn: Dance Artist
Musica Intima Vocal Ensemble: Live Singers (12)
Jono Kim: Lighting Design
Raïna Von Waldenburg: Dramaturge
Savannah Walling: Outside Eye
Performance type: THIS WORK IS ADAPTABLE TO THEATRE OR OUTDOORS OR ALTERNATE VENUES /SPACES
How do you define this work: Dance
Length of performance: 70min
Audience type: General Audience
General Technical Requirements: When presented on stage, black marley dance floor is preferred. Props include (1) dozen red roses; petals will fall to the stage. Singers do not require amplification. No further audio playback as all music is sung live.
Required amount of time for tech set up: (4) hours minimum for lighting hang & focus, (3) hours minimum for staging and live rehearsal = total (7) hours ideally for best tech set-up
Alternative Venues: We are very happy to share this work in outdoor spaces, including forest floors, city parks, beaches. We do require a flat patch of ground for the dancers play space that has been cleared of debris (garbage, butts, sharps, etc.) and seating / audience can be set up in a semi-circle for seated audience.
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 15 * for full live performance (12 singers, 3 dance artists)
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 2
Availabilities: 2026/27 Season, 2025/26 Season
Project Details
Outreach Activities
We offer a variety of workshops for community participants and professional artists in Dance, Choreography, Creation, Storytelling and Movement. These workshops can be scheduled to coincide with performance dates and can be adapted to suit all age groups and abilities.
Additionally, we are happy to offer a post-show talkback, or pre-show conversation with choreographer, Olivia C. Davies, both dance artists and 1-2 singers.