Dance In Vancouver: You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone - Communities Of/In Absence

A suite of three Vancouver artist-led conversations on what makes community and communitas in pandemic times.

Online via Zoom

Making Ceremony led by Michelle Olson, Raven Spirit Dance

How and when do our dancing bodies cross the threshold into ceremony? What does this mean individually and collectively? What is the role of the audience in this process?  By unpacking these concepts, this panel of artists will examine how the contents of their practice lead them deep into the landscape of their own sense ceremony.

Friday November 26 | 1-2.30pm

Starting Off - Emerging through an Emergency moderated by Josh Martin & Lisa Gelley, Company 605

Among many other occupations, there has been a large-scale disruption and upheaval to the profession that many young artists thought they were entering into. The shape and direction of that step into the professional performing arts may have shifted and/or split with the hyper-present realties of a pandemic and global climate change, only further destabilized amidst the simultaneous transformations taking place across the sector as a multitude of counter actions to systemic racism and inequities rightfully disturb the status quo. 

With so much talk about “pivoting” as an artist, what is to be said about those who are not carrying many years (or decades even) of a gathered momentum, or a developed creative process, or operating under formulaic production cycle, or singular dissemination model? What about those who are just starting out? How is this moment perceived by those not facing major change so much as a very different beginning than anticipated - for their performing career, or choreographic practice, or to the direction of a new company.

Saturday November 27 | 1-2.30pm

Generosity and Sensitivity in Times of Pressure and Policing facilitated by Arash Khakpour, The Biting School

When is an “extreme”, “harsh” or “blunt” work useful in society? Who is to say?  When would a “harsh” work be helpful in facilitating healing for the artists and audiences? Facilitated by Arash Khakpour, guest speakers will engage in a conversation around these questions.

Thursday December 2 | 1-2.30pm

Presented as part of the 13th biennial Dance In Vancouver, November 24-28, 2021.