Engaging Youth through Dance

Aperçu:

Dusk Dances is an outdoor dance festival that brings high quality dance of all genres to public parks across Toronto and Ontario. As dusk descends, a theatrical host leads the audience to five eclectic dance pieces that unfold in different locations in the park. In the summer of 2012, we are planning an exciting new project where several young adults (ages 18-22) from various underserved communities in Toronto will come together to create a new dance work. This new work will then be presented in all the Dusk Dances events throughout the GTA. Two choreographers will be hired to facilitate a 12-week training and creation process and to rehearse the piece. Participating youth will benefit not only from an artistic experience, but will also be remunerated for their work. The process will build physical stamina, strength, musicality, leadership, creativity and self-esteem as well as teach them how to work collaboratively with one another. From 2009-2011 our youth commissions have incorporated dance styles and traditions as diverse as African, Caribbean, Jazz, House, South-Asian, contemporary, break-dancing and hip-hop. Performing for the large and encouraging Dusk Dances audiences is a tremendous opportunity for youth to learn about dance, push their bounderies, and participate in the creation of a piece that brings together young adults from various neighbourhoods. Dusk Dances is a pay-what-you-can event with accessibility at the core of its mandate. Help us continue to create opportunities that engage and empower underserved youth!