Dear Friends and Patrons,

 

We are pleased to announce our 2012-2013 Artistic season. Our wide-ranging programming covers engaging programming for young/family audiences, the premiere of new works and one-of-a-kind performance training opportunities.

 

This Season young and family audiences across Canada and East Coast USA will experience Medicine Bear, a story that shares important lessons through rich, visually stimulating set design, engaging performance and storytelling. We are excited to be entering our inaugural Season with Prologue for the Performing Arts presenting Medicine Bearin an elementary school setting. 

 

KDT will also be hosting their March Break Performance Camp for youth in the Spring of 2013 in St. Catharines Ontario. Our signature contemporary dance theatre programming will include the production of two new creations Mixed Works: NeoIndigenA andThe Honouring. The Honouring is set to have its site-specific World Premiere on June 20-22, 2013 at Toronto's historic Fort York.  

 

Stay tuned for our upcoming "Behind the Curtain" Series and "Artist Salon" events. Get an intimate and inside look at works-in-progress and the artist perspective on creativity in life and work.   

 

For more information or booking contact: info@kahawidance.org

 

We look forward to sharing this new season with you. Thank you for your continued support.

 

Nya:weh,

 

 

Santee Smith,

Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Artistic Director 

 

Photography by Nadya Kwandibens   

The 8th Season commenced with KDT's 4th annual summer intensive, Aboriginal DanceTraining (ADT) program during the month of August, at Canada's National Ballet School.Commitment to developing the future talent pool of creators and artistic thinkers and leaders, the four week program involved diverse training in classes such as: KDT Repertoire, Ballet, Contemporary, Iroquois Social Dance, Powwow styles, Hoop Dance (X-HT), GAGA, Muscle & Bone and inaugural Choreographic Lab. Through this one-of-a-kind program it is KDT's goal to ensure maximum training opportunities are available to dancers pursuing a professional dance career with a focus on indigenous dance training in conjunction with formal western-based dance training and alternative training methodologies.

Medicine Bear  (Performance for Young/Family Audiences) 

Photography by David Hou  

Through whimsical music, dance and storytelling, Medicine Bear weaves into one magical narrative traditional Iroquoian stories: how the Bear Clan came to be known as the "Keeper of the Medicines" and the hunter who discovered the gift of healing. Following oral traditional practices, Medicine Bear teaches virtues of compassion, thankfulness and respect for nature in a way that is playful and thought provoking for young and family audiences. Medicine Bear entertains while expanding understanding and appreciation for the Arts and encourages sharing of First Nations culture to future generations. 

 

Tour Dates & Locations 
2012: 
October 16 @ McKee Public School, Toronto, ON (Prologue to the Performing Arts)
October 17 @ Kingsview Village Junior Public School, Toronto, ON
October 20 @ 42nd CODE Conference, Alliston, ON
October 24 - 27 @ Algoma Fall Festival, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
2013: 
February 7 @ Meadowvale Village Public School, Mississauga, ON
February 11 @ Flynn Centre, Burlington, VT
February 22-23 @ Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, Mashantucket, CT
February 28 @ Fergus Grand Theatre, Fergus, ON
May 24, 25 @ Surrey Children's Festival, Surrey, BC

 

 

The Honouring (World Premiere) 

 Photography by Nadya Kwandibens      

 

The Honouring acknowledges the contribution of the Onkwehonwe community and the men who died to protect sovereignty, culture and land during the War of 1812. The performance pays homage to the personal sacrifices and belief in what was the best for their family, community and future generations.

Interpreted through live performance The Honouring captures the human experience at this time of great strife, putting a human face to our history. What was it like for the wives to have their husbands leave? How did the soldiers prepare themselves for battle and what were the hopes of the Onkwehonwe community during the war?

A theatrical rising of consciousness, transformative and visually engaging this site-specific performance takes place on the grounds of Toronto's historic Fort York on June 20-22, 2013.

The creative team features Artistic Direction/Choreography/Design by Santee Smith; Composition/Arrangement by Lou Pomanti with additional songs by Jennifer Kreisberg, Adrian Harjo among others; Video Projection Design by Andy Moro; Lighting Design by Alaina Perttula; Costume Design/Construction by Elaine Redding and Leigh Smith, among others. The musical score features Onkwehonwe musicians from Six Nations.



March Break Performance Camp 
Photography by Santee Smith  
 

Commitment to nurturing and invigorating creativity, KDT's March Break Performance Camp offers youth (ages 9-14) a gateway experience to pursue "live art" and professional dance as a career. Conservatory style classes in First Nations and urban dance styles, drama, choreography and contemporary dance offer youth the opportunity to learn or refine their dance skills and explore their creative potential guided by generous instructors. Designed by Artistic Director Santee Smith, she states her goals for the Camp: 

 

"It is my hope that the Camp will ignite passion for live arts and through the rigours of training, youth may come to know that their body, voice and imagination matters - that they may come to understand their innate creativity as it applies to performing arts and their life."


Registration Information: info@kahawidance.org