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Dear DWP community,
As we dance our way into the lovely long days and warm nights of summer, our team is reflecting on all of the incredible experiences we have had with dancers and their families from across our country and beyond! Words cannot properly express what it means to me to connect with so many of you in such profound and personal ways, through face-to-face encounters, emails, phone chats and, of course, dancing.
Through the month of June, the concept of DWP being a place where strangers become friends and friends become family was perfectly and exquisitely brought to life. Time and again we see that the DWP family extends beyond those with whom we dance every day. As part of our latest Intergenerational Dance Project, we co-created a movement piece with my son and his friends at his grade school, which of course was a huge highlight for me. It is a humble honour to know that DWP is playing a part in instilling the values of empathy, compassion, curiosity and connection for people of all ages and abilities.
This past month I was also fortunate to connect with the families of DWP’s in-person and online dancers, and was deeply moved to learn about the impact our daily programming has on not only dancers, but their care partners and extended family members. We take our responsibility to show up each day very seriously, and I want to thank each and every one of you for, in turn, showing up for us.
It is a true gift to bear witness to the powerful human connections that are being made right before our eyes. I am eternally grateful for your belief in our work sharing the benefits of movement, and your support of our mission to spread joy, connection and laughter each and every day.
Let’s dance,
Sarah Robichaud
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Over the past two months we have shared powerful stories about members of our dance community and their families in an effort to raise funds and awareness about DWP's online and in-person programs for people living with Parkinson's disease and seniors. Together we raised over $7,000 to keep our online and in-person dance classes free for all who wish to join us.
Thank you to Sophia and Mary, Liz and Lisa, Jaleh and Naz, Nestor and Taras, Dwaine and Craig and Larry and Robin for sharing your lived experience and your connection to DWP. We appreciate you more than you know.
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It's always a great time to give the gift of dance. It costs as low as $1 a day for one dancer to join Dancing with Parkinson's online class for free! For just $30 you can give one dancer the gift of joy, movement and connection to community for a whole month!
Thank you for your support.
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Congratulations Brenda on your Career Achievement Award!
We are delighted to share that DWP's wonderful instructor Brenda Gorlick, who leads the in-person class in Winnipeg in partnership with U-Turn Parkinson's, has been named the winner of the 2024 Career Achievement in the Arts award by the Winnipeg Arts Council.
A professional performing artist since she was 16, Brenda graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB). She has worked across Canada and in parts of Europe and the Middle East as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director and producer. Brenda is the Artistic Director for StudioWorks Academy, the Dance Director of Manitoba Possible’s All Abilities Dancers, and works with MAC’s Artist in Schools Program. She also serves as dance professor at the University of Winnipeg, and is a Board member for the DTRC (Dancer Transition Resource Centre) and Creative Manitoba’s Youth Mentorship program.
Congratulations on this very well-deserved recognition, Brenda!
To read more about the Winnipeg Arts Council awards, click here.
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Friendships Formed through Dance!
There's nothing we love more than hearing about our online dance community meeting each other in real life! Last month, Ruth and Marjorie, from Hamilton and Durham respectively, met for a visit when they were both in Toronto seeing Don Quioxte at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. It just goes to show that it is possible to make real and meaningful connections through Zoom!
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Spontaneous Hat Dance on the DDC!
Let it be known that if you tell us it's your birthday or you happen to wear an accessory to class, we will make an event of it! Recently, one of our dancers logged into the Daily Dance Connect with a jaunty cap. So didn't everyone grab their hats and Paloma, without missing a beat, choreographed a hat dance, much to the delight of participants!
Thanks for always being such good sports and open to all of our wild and wacky ideas! We love dancing with you!
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Virtual Tour of Anne Freeman's "Holding Place" Exhibit
On June 26th, we had the very special opportunity to “walk through” DWP dancer, artist and person living with Parkinson's, Anne Freeman’s exhibit, Holding Place. Following the Daily Dance Connect, Jessica Dargo Caplan and Anne took us on a virtual tour of of her incredible cyanotypes work, which has been on display at Youngplace Gallery through the month of June.
As expressed so beautifully in the Akimbo listing of the exhibition, "Freeman’s suites of cyanotypes transform shadows into forms in motion. Rhythmic repetitions and collapsing order take the compositions beyond simple shapes and absences and translate this often nostalgic medium into a thoroughly contemporary language.
The cyanotypes mingle with photographs of discarded objects, weeds and fragments found in formal and informal dumps. Juxtaposed, the different types of images offer contrasting but connected modes of examination.
During the pandemic, Freeman explored the ‘backside landscapes’ of Toronto’s alleyways, gathering hundreds of snapshots and assembling them into seamless ribbons of collage in the series Laneway Suite.
The work is luminous, piercing and witty at times, conveying the sense that all is fragile, and all will change."
To experience Anne's work as she takes us through her exhibit, click here. To see more of her work, visit: www.annefreemanworks.com.
Thank you, Anne, for sharing your craft with us.
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South Georgian Bay Parkinson's Festival
The rain didn't stop us from dancing at the South Georgian Bay Parkinson's Festival in Thornbury on June 22nd! Our fabulous local DWP dance instructor, Louise Potts, led visitors in a lively morning of music and movement, complete with a sing-along to the song "L.O.V.E" and special moments to connect as a community. Thank you to our friends at Living Better with Parkinson's for the opportunity to dance with you!
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DWP Classes in Seniors Residences
Our list of in-person classes at seniors residences and long term care homes is growing! Click here to check out where we are dancing. Interested in having DWP lead a class for residents at your organization? Please reach out by emailing us at info@dancingwithparkinsons.com.
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DWP in your Community
Through the month of June, 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 Oriole Community Centre, Better Living Active Living Centre, Lakeridge Heights, Hospice Care Ottawa, Amica Swan Lake and the Seniors' Fair - Toronto-Danforth Provincial Liberals.
In July we will be visiting Neighbours Senior Fair - TPL St Lawrance and the Seniors Health and Wellness Fair in partnership with The Neighbours Group. We can't wait to dance with you!
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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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Working Together to Reach Farther
Dancing with Parkinson's and The Neighbours Project are collaborating with Toronto Public Library (St. Lawrence and Parliament branches) to co-deliver a special series of demonstration classes, sharing knowledge and information on how seniors can incorporate the DWP program into their daily routine, from the comfort of home!
Our wonderful volunteer, Ardelle, had this to say about the impact of the program: "What a wonderful combination DWP and TPL is in the community. I consider both lifelines for many people because of accessibly for all ages, plus they provide FUN. As a senior and retired educator I believe activity, learning, socializing, and support are vital to health and happiness especially as we age. These organizations offer all of these benefits and more." We couldn't agree more, Ardelle! Thank you for being such an important part of making this program a success for all who wish to enjoy it.
To learn more and for information on how you can take part, click here.
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Join Us! The Neighbours Project Seniors' Health and Wellness Fair
DWP is very excited to participate in The Neighbours Project upcoming Seniors’ Health and Wellness Fair taking place on Wednesday July 10th, 2024 at the Toronto Public Library St. Lawrence Branch. DWP instructor Phoebe Chu will get things started with gentle movement and will introduce the Dancing with Parkinson's program.
Other highlights of the day will include a live cooking demonstration led by a local chef, other activities and raffle prizes!
Date: Wednesday, July 10th, 2024
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Toronto Public Library St. Lawrence Branch, 171 Front Street East, Toronto
For all of the details, click here!
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Research Paper: "If Art Were a Drug: Implications for Parkinson's Disease"
We are delighted to share an interesting review paper on art and Parkinson's disease written by neurologist and DWP board member, Dr. Lorraine Kalia and Dr. Priti Gros in collaboration with Dr. Bas Bloem and his colleague. As Dr. Kalia shares, "It is undeniable that the arts enrich our lives - both in health and disease. But we still need more research to understand how best to harness the benefits of the arts - such as dance - for people with Parkinson's."
To read the research paper, click here.
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About Dr. Lorraine Kalia
Dr. Lorraine Kalia MD, PhD, FRCPC, Director of DWP's Research Committee graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School and had a brief professional ballet career as an apprentice with the National Ballet of Canada and a corps de ballet member with the National Ballet of Portugal. She then pursued academic training to become a clinician scientist, obtaining a BSc (Biology) at Queen’s University, MD/PhD (Neuroscience) at University of Toronto, FRCPC (Neurology) at University of Toronto, a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, a movement disorders fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital. Currently, Lorraine is an associate professor in the Division of Neurology University of Toronto, and a senior scientist at the Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network. She is a movement disorders neurologist. Her clinical work and research program focus on improving the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
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DWP on Spotlight Kawarthas!
It was a pleasure working with the team at Rogers TV to share the joy and benefits of dance for people living with Parkinson's and seniors in the Peterborough and Kawarthas communities. As Linda and Alan so beautifully express, the DWP program has made an important difference for both of them to enhance their mobility and improve their overall wellness.
To watch the episode, click here.
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Highlights from our "Slice of Life" Program
Have you seen this very special compilation of excerpts from our "Slice of Life" presentations from over the years? We are always so inspired by the wide variety of topics our dancers and instructors share. During every "Slice of Life", we are sure to learn fascinating information and get to know each other in a new and special way. These highlights offer just a snapshot of some of the wonderful slices from the lives of the DWP community. To enjoy the "Slice of Life" highlight reel, click here.
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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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Join DWP's Board of Directors
Dancing with Parkinson’s (DWP) is looking for individuals with expertise in the arts, fundraising and donor relations, non-profit administration and law, board governance, or marketing to join our Board of Directors. The volunteer director will play a crucial role in providing strategic leadership, guidance, and oversight to our organization. This individual will collaborate with fellow board members, staff, and stakeholders to advance DWP’s mission and objectives.
If you are interested in submitting an application to join DWP's Board of Directors, please click here.
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We just wanted to thank you so much for our DWP class this afternoon. We loved the instructor and the music that she played. The teacher was very thoughtful and caring for everyone and their needs. We are looking forward to the next session.
~ DWP Dancer
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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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