ARTS & CULTURE ENGAGEMENT
We do so much more than dance! DWP’s multidisciplinary arts and cultural engagement programs go beyond our innovative dance classes. Offered both online and in-person, these special programs invite our dancers to participate in accessible field trips, creative workshops, and performances.
Recent Highlights:
DWP was thrilled to partner with Parkinson Canada for the 2024 SuperWalks to lead special dance warm-ups at selected locations across the country. We created special “Find Your Swagger” choreography to align with Parkinson Canada’s 2024 PD awareness campaign.
DWP dancers from around the world had the opportunity to share a poem that is meaningful to them, either written by their favourite poet or by their own hand! We have thoroughly enjoyed hearing from each of our readers whose selections offered a special glimpse into what moves them.
We had the great honour of welcoming Martha Johnson and Mark Gane of Martha and the Muffins to share their creative experience writing, performing and recording their new song, "Slow Emotion" which aims to raise awareness and shine the light on what is still possible for people living with PD.
In March, 2024, over 200 DWP dancers gathered in-person at Meridian Hall and online via Zoom for a very special dance workshop. We learned choreography from Kate Prince Dance Company’s "Message in a Bottle,” set to Sting’s iconic hits.
In partnership with The Neighbour’s Group, DWP dancers had the very special opportunity to learn from wellness chef, Geremy Capone, and registered dietician, Daniela Fierini, who shared nutritious and delicious, quick and easy meals and snacks.
Inspired by Leonard Cohen's poetry and music, performance artist and poet Fan Wu invited DWP dancers to read aloud three of Cohen's poems and respond through gestures. With these as our inspiration, we co-composed a collective piece called “Flannelette Pajamas".
This specially curated experience, led by AGO art educator Lauren Spring, offered DWP dancers a "behind the scenes" virtual tour of the “Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows” exhibit that inspired the theme of our 15th anniversary celebration!
Jules Lawrence, an innovative health and wellness practitioner, led us through a 30min meditation. We explored some gentle seated yoga to awaken the spine, breathwork to come into the body and calm the mind, and a guided meditation to practice presence.
In November 2019, DWP dancers responded to Nicol's glass artworks by evoking a range of collective impressions through a series of choreographed movements and sound, incorporating papier-mâché cones created by the artist.
In partnership with the AGO, DWP dancers participated in a virtual tour of their Studio 54: Night Magic exhibition, and improvisational movement and poetry workshops inspired by the aesthetics of the Studio 54 era, led by poet Fan Wu.
For more information about our arts & culture programs please contact our team at info@dancingwithparkinsons.com.