Nia at International Dance Day Toronto, May 2, 2010

(exciting! Nia will be there! You are MOST welcome to join in. See below for a clip of us dancing at Yonge Dundas Square last year. Read more about it here and contact me if you’re interested)

Press release: International Dance Day

From: Dance Umbrella of Ontario

In celebration of International Dance Day 2010, DanceTO is proud
to present an afternoon of FREE dance activities at Yonge-Dundas
Square, featuring a variety of dance forms and Toronto-based
performers. On stage and off the stage, the square will be alive
with performances, interactive dance presentations, open classes
and information on an array of dance styles and traditions.

We are excited to feature contemporary pieces; hip hop numbers;
ballroom demonstrations; world dances like Korean, Chinese, and
African; sword dances; belly dancing and improvisations. There
will be opportunities to learn contemporary, hip hop, and
ballroom; and do workshops in African dance, Nia, and Bollyfit.
Situated in the open heart of Toronto, this special public event
offers an eye-opening and interactive experience, highlighting
Toronto’s rich, diverse and inclusive dance community.
This event is fun for all ages, including kid specific
activities, and everyone is encouraged to participate!

This year the celebration continues throughout the month as Dance
in My ‘Hood events are scheduled in various Toronto
neighborhoods. There will be dance at Pearson Airport on April
29; spontaneous public performances May 1 (check out Yonge-Dundas
Square, Union Station and the Harbourfront Centre in the early
afternoon); May 5 at 8 pm brings Screening MAD An Evening of
Dance on Film curated by Allen Kaeja to the Magpie Cafe, (831
Dundas Street West, Toronto) including films by Denise Fujiwara,
Allen Karen Kaeja and Douglas Rosenberg, and Bravo!FACT shorts
by Peter Chin, Moze Mossanen, Rubberband, Britt Randle and Anne
Troake and more; there will be free dance workshops at
Trinity-Bellwoods on May 15; May 16 brings salsa to Vivace
Studios (291 Jane St.) with a salsa demonstration, a salsa
workshop and a party; also on May 16 CPDG Cultural Arts
Association will be conducting workshops Chinese Classical and
Ethnic-Folk Dance at the Scarborough Town YMCA (230 Town Centr!
e Court, Meeting Room 3); on May 8 and 15 from 1:00 to 4:00
explore Grange Park to find the performances in conjunction with
the Murmur project (murmurtoronto. ca) and so much more. For more
information on these and other FREE “Dance in My ‘Hood”
events, check the website at www.danceumbrella. net/idd.htm

This year, celebrated Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite penned
this International Dance Day Message:

The Toronto Dance Day Committee, now called DanceTO is a
volunteer-run committee that organizes events to celebrate dance
in the City of Toronto. DanceTO committee members are: Mariano
Abarca, Meredith Anderson, Rosslyn Jacob Edwards, Christine
Moynihan, Stephanie Nakamura, Kate Nankervis, Heather Saum and
Cara Spooner.

These events are generously supported by the Department of
Canadian Heritage through the Building Communities through Arts
and Heritage Program.