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Dear DWP community,
We're halfway through summer! And for many of us that has meant trips to the lake, backyard BBQ's and watching the stars under the moon. I have had the privilege of visiting beaches, cottages and amusement parks with my friends and children, making for a very memorable summer so far.
It really struck me though: what if I couldn't leave my home this summer to smell, feel and see nature, or hop in the car to visit my friends and family? It brought me to thinking about the importance of our community.
I think that what makes our program so special is the fact that we can unite in this online world from wherever we are. And for those who do not have the opportunity to travel, we love sharing parts of our world with you.
The methodology taught by our instructors is specifically designed to transport all of us to places of the past and places we have yet to explore. Through imagery and storytelling we can feel the sand under our feet, the cool crisp water on our fingertips and the air in our lungs as we climb the highest mountains together. We can travel around the world in our bodies, our minds and our souls through movement, music, memory and imagination.
It is also very exciting when you bring us with you to the places you visit—logging in on your phones and tablets from vacation homes and special destinations, and reciting stories from past summer holidays. Thank you for sharing your time away with us.
The Daily Dance Connect, with all of you from all over the world, brings us together in unexpectedly meaningful ways. Through you we have the opportunity to enjoy new experiences which inspire our class themes, dances and conversations.
Thank you for coming on this journey with us each and every day.
Let’s dance,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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DWP Featured on Global News' "Making a Difference"
What an incredible honour to share DWP's intergenerational work with Susan Hay from Global News as part of the "Making a Difference" series.
DWP's "Bridging Generations Through Dance" program is particularly special because it not only demonstrates the powerful bond between children and older adults, but it shows the potential of artistry and self-expression to break down barriers and create meaningful connections, no matter age or circumstance.
Thank you, Susan, for your thoughtful care in telling DWP's story, past and present, as well as where we are headed!
Click here to enjoy this very special piece.
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DWP Dances Across the Country with Spinning Wheels
DWP is thrilled to partner with Spinning Wheels on their upcoming relay bike ride across Canada, raising funds and awareness about the benefits of movement and the power of community for people living with PD.
United by the understanding that exercise helps manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, DWP will be leading warm-ups, cool downs and dance breaks as the cyclists travel from coast to coast to coast.
We are wishing Lloyd, Jim, Mike and their community of cyclists the very best! Visit www.spinningwheelstour.com to travel along on this incredible adventure, and join us on the Daily Dance Connect every day at 11:00 a.m. EST to hear how their journey is going! We will also be leading in-person sessions in various locations across Canada. Keep an eye on our social media channels to see where we'll be popping up!
Not following us on social media yet? Click here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for Twitter.
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Dancing with Baby Seun!
We love it when Paloma leads the online Daily Dance Connect from her home in Texas with her adorable son, Seun! Welcoming a sweet six-month old to class brings a whole new meaning to "intergenerational". We love that Seun is growing up as a key member of our dance family! Thank you, Paloma, for adding a little extra light to our lives.
To watch this heart-warming video of Seun dancing alongside his beautiful mama, click here.
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Dance with Cassie on the DDC!
We are thrilled to welcome Cassie to the Daily Dance Connect teaching team! If you haven't danced with Cassie at our in-person class at Trinity St. Paul, you are in for a treat! Cassie brings extra special energy and care to her classes, with creative choreography and music that is sure to get you moving! She is an absolute ray of sunshine, and we can't wait for you to experience her magic.
If you're not already registered for the online Daily Dance Connect, now is the time! Join us every day, for free, at 11:00 a.m. EST to dance with Cassie and all of our amazing instructors. To sign up, click here.
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As many of you know, Dancing with Parkinson's online and in-person dance classes are offered free of charge, 365 days a year thanks to our donors, sponsors and funders. We literally could not do what we do or share what we share if it wasn't for the financial support of our community.
An easy and effective way to help keep our DWP class free is to make a small, monthly contribution. It costs just $30/month to share the joy and benefits of dance and movement. We are looking for 12 new monthly donors to keep 12 people living with PD and seniors dancing every day. Can we count on you to be one of them? Click below to show your support!
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Table Dancing on PEI!
Recently, DWP's east coast teacher, Julia Sauve, and the volunteers in our in-person class in Charlottetown, PEI set up their dance space with a long row of tables running down the centre of the room. In doing so, dancers were able to move around using the tables for support, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the space in a new and different way.
We love the creativity our incredible teachers bring to each class to offer maximum access and enjoyment! Have you checked out our in-person classes? Click here for a list of where we are dancing! We hope you will join us.
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Celebrating Canadian Artists
In recognition of Canada Day, Sarah who leads our new in-person Scarborough class put together a playlist featuring Canadian artists including Martha Johnson from Martha and the Muffins, and their new single "Slow Emotion". Here is a clip of this wonderful new community dancing together to "Slow Emotion".
Are you in the Scarborough area? Join us the third Wednesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Scarborough Japanese Jujitsu Club, located at 1950 Ellesmere Road, Unit #5. No registration necessary — just drop in! If you have questions, feel free to call Fiona Bowden at 416-371-1736.
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DWP Dances with Neighbours at the Seniors' Health and Wellness Fair
It was a beautiful day for dancing (in the torrential rain!) at the Neighbours Project Seniors’ Health and Wellness Fair on July 24th, 2024 at the Toronto Public Library St. Lawrence Branch. DWP instructor Phoebe and the wonderful dancers from the neighbourhood didn't let a downpour get in the way of moving and grooving to the music.
Thank you for joining us!
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Where We're Dancing!
Through the month of July, DWP loved visiting several seniors residences and community organizations to share the joy and benefits of moving together to music. We had the great pleasure of dancing with new friends at Active Aging in Manitoba Hospice Care Ottawa Neighbours Senior Fair - TPL St Lawrance TSH - with Lumicare.
In August, we will be launching new in-person classes at Retirement Suites by the Lake, Bridgepoint, Allendale Retirement Residence and Dixon Hall. We can't wait to dance with you!
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Time Change for DWP's Thornhill Class!
Please note that effective September 3rd, DWP's in-person class in Thornhill will be changing to 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Feel free to contact us with any questions: info@dancingwithparkinsons.com.
Not yet registered for our Thornhill class? Click here!
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DWP is passionate about introducing our fun and beneficial program to new dancers by offering free demo classes, presentations and webinars! For more information about booking one for your group, please email us.
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DWP adds a Little Swagger to the Parkinson Canada SuperWalk
Through the month of September, DWP will be working with Parkinson Canada to support their highly anticipated awareness campaign called "It's Not Parkinson's, It's Swagger." Parkinson Canada is on a mission to "reclaim the narrative of living with Parkinson’s. To inject vibrance where others see only stillness." This is an exciting and important campaign through which Parkinson Canada is sending the message that "every movement is a symbol of style and confidence. Each sway and stutter-step transforms Parkinson’s into a unique swagger."
Dancing with Parkinson's is developing special "Swagger" choreography to launch all of Parkinson Canada's upcoming SuperWalks, taking place across the country. Stay tuned for exciting updates on this very powerful collaboration!
To learn more about the "Swagger" campaign and to watch the fantastic promotional video, click the image below.
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Introducing Hybrid Dance Classes!
We are thrilled to share that we are now able to offer "hybrid" dance classes to our friends living in longterm care homes and seniors residences in the greater Toronto area. Thanks to our partners at the Neighbours Group, we provide an iPad and access to wifi to stream DWP's Daily Dance Connect class for residents enjoyment from a common area. The response has been overwhelmingly positive as dancers meet new friends and enjoy the benefits of moving to music.
Are you looking for a meaningful way to bring your community together? Contact us to discuss offering hybrid dance classes at your location.
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Slice of Life: Poetry Edition
On July 16, we were thrilled to welcome two dedicated DWP dancers, Brent and Marjorie, to share poems that are meaningful to them.
Brent, a multi-medal winning "Special Olympian", earned three gold and one silver in swimming. With support from his sister Vivian, Brent shared his favourite poem "Nine Gold Medals" by David Roth, about the range of emotions experienced when we win together.
Marjorie, who has a deep and meaningful connection to Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, recited a poem called "Angirraqsiqunga - I Long for Home" by Feliks Saimanaakuluk Gawor about missing and longing for the landscape of home.
Thank you, Marjorie, Brent and Vivan, for reading so beautifully, and for sharing such meaningful pieces with us!
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DWP's First Intergenerational Slice of Life!
Join us on Tuesday, August 27th for our first intergenerational Slice of Life! Beloved DWP dancer, Gordon Dove and 10 year old Oliver Boyd, son of DWP's Director of Communications, Lindsay, have joined forces to put together a special presentation on the little known facts about the Titanic.
Oliver has a special and long-standing interest in the Titanic—he wrote a 37 page book covering everything you didn't know you needed to know about the "unsinkable ship" when he was just 6 years old. Gordon, a retired school teacher, has been meeting and working with Oliver over the past few weeks.
We are very excited to share their discoveries with you!
Date: Tuesday, August 27th
Time: 11:30 a.m. EST
Location: on Zoom, immediately following the Daily Dance Connect. To receive the link for the Daily Dance Connect, click here to register.
We can't wait to hear from you, Gordon and Oli!
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Special Intergenerational "Slice of Life" Opportunity!
Would you like to collaborate with one our school aged friends on a special "Slice of Life" presentation? Some of the children we work with would like to share their hobbies and passions with the DWP community, and we imagine that some of our dancers might share common interests. We would love to continue to foster meaningful bonds while providing unique ways to connect and learn from each other. If you would be open to working with a young person on a "Slice of Life", please reach out to Akhil at akhil@dancingwithparkinsons.com.
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An Afternoon with DWP at the Jays Game!
We know that a lot of our DWP dancers are loyal Jays fans, so what better way to cheer on the home team but all together at a game!
What: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Mets
Date: Wednesday, September 11th
Time: 3:07 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are free thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
RSVP: Tickets are limited! Please email us at info@dancingwithparkinsons.com if you are interested in joining us!
We hope to see you for what's sure to be a fun-filled afternoon! Let's play ball!
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After R's first class with DWP, he was smiling and saying the class was just great and so are the members and teacher. At 92, he deserves to smile! So, a heartfelt thank you.
~ Care Partner
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OUR DANCE AND ARTISTIC PROGRAMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONORS.
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING DWP'S MISSION TO SHARE THE JOY AND BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT, CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S AND SENIORS ACROSS CANADA.
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