As part of our community mapping project, We Are Here, I have been having a complete blast at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House with the Multicultural Women’s Support Group. This is an incredible group of more than a dozen women of all ages from all around the world. Home countries include Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, China, Macau, the UK,  Venezuela, Uganda, the Philippines, and more!

Together we have spoken about what it is to live in Vancouver,  and South Vancouver, specifically, bringing up issues such as culture shock, transit, weather, safety, food, and much more. And soon enough we’ll be dancing about what it is to live in Vancouver.

They’ve told me many a time that they love to dance, and it’s undeniably true! Thus far the ladies have been engaging in fun movement-oriented explorations that challenge the brain and the body while building an ensemble. Tomorrow, I’m looking forward to seeing them create gestures and sequences inspired by their own movement pathways in the neighbourhood. Such a huge thank you to programmer Kwangyoung at SVNH for making this partnership possible!

I had the most incredible time at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre last Friday with an energetic crowd of twenty Langara students, about to complete the Recreation Leadership Program. Within two hours, I was to be their insight into what a community dance artist needs and expects from a Programmer or recreational/community facility. After a sharing of thoughts, experiences and questions, we got down to the real business—some fun and dancing! We began with some cardio warm up to some hip hop tunes to get us in the mood…In no time, these brave participants (and Vince, their instructor) were flying across the room on hands and feet, improvising through different tasks and discovering new movement pathways. A bunch of games and dances later, we split off into smaller groups to create pieces of choreography to show each other. Turns out, these students are all choreographers in the making…

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Yesterday, I got the wonderful opportunity to be a guest instructor for the Creative Remix 3 arts camp happening every day at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre this month! Alongside fellow Art for Impact co-founder Anna Kraulis, the two of us spent a couple of hours with twenty young movers and shakers from ages 6-11, mixing up a movement storm!

Among many things, we explored rhythm, shapes, teamwork and what happens when you mix a bunch of animals together! The little artists showed us with their bodies and voices what these hybrid creatures would look and sound like.

Anna and I will be back on Friday for more play and outrageous fun. We can’t wait!