Taking a look back at the Summer/Fall seasons and catching up on a whirlwind of dance news and updates. Here's a look at what happened over the last few months~
Elevate the Intersection June 2108
I was invited to present dances at the Elevate the Intersection event in Courtenay BC, a community pride celebration/street party and opening of the first rainbow crosswalk in the Comox Valley. I just happened to have a Bollywood inspired 'Flower Blessing' dance in rainbow colours which was a perfect fit for the event. Best part was all the kids running to pick up our flower petals.
This dance inspired Campbell River Pride Society to contact me about dancing at the the Campbell River Pride event later that Summer. Seems we have the perfect dance for Rainbow crosswalk openings and Pride events.
The Abbey Studio Summer Hafla June 16, 2018
This biannual pre solstice celebration and dance recital continues to grow and blossom and, always leaves me feeling grateful for our vibrant dance community here on Vancouver Island.
Arcana Dea performing at the Summer Hafla
Taiya Curle at the Abbey Studio Summer Hafla 2018
Lilly Stoyko-Lang and Stella Zombor practicing their ariel silk duet during the Cumberland Home & Garden Tour in preparation for the Hafla that same night.
Arcana Dea Dance performing 'Kali's Army' sword dance at Cumberland Village Works Solstice in the Park, June 22nd, 2018
This Summer I had the pleasure of experiencing Diversity Festival on Texada Island for the first time as a guest dancer and helper for my favourite radio programmer and friend Dave O Rama.
Introduction to the Art of Hula, July 2018
This Summer I hosted workshops with Lorraine Kinnamona, a master of hula and Tahitian dance. Lorraine led a one day intensive hula camp on Denman Island and an afternoon workshop at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland where we explored the ancient, sacred art of hula through dance and chanting. Lorraine is a gifted teacher and I LOVE hula! We are planning a full day workshop in Cumberland next Summer 2019.
Wild & Empowered Dance Showcase, Cumberland Wild 2018
Lisa Snow and Evelyn Balley
Namchi Bazar
Farima Berenji's Comox Valley Simorgh Dance Collective
After many years we danced again in the Lotus Pod teepee that I helped paint back in 2005. I have fond memories of dancing in this beautiful space between 2005-2010 with my group Blue Lotus, the predecessor of Arcana Dea Dance. This year for Cumberland Wild Morgan Calliston programmed a series of empowering and inspiring workshops and events in the Teepee and invited me to create a 40 min. dance showcase. Arcana Dea Dance along with guests Simorgh Dance Collective, Lisa Hamilton, Taissia, Namchi Bazar and Tayia Curle presented women's tradition and contemporary sacred dances.
Jessica Macpherson dancing an Algerian Kabyle Berber inspired dance 'The Source' with dancers that participated in the Romani Dance Project last Spring.
Taissia Gloukvova
Taiya Curle
Zar trance closing dance with drummer Selen Tiryakiolu