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Dear DWP Community,
Fall usually means getting back into routine, but the truth is we never stopped! That is the absolute beauty and magic of our program: we just keep going. Throughout the summer, we continued to offer free, online dance classes every single day, meeting our dancers wherever you are, from wherever we are!
I have very much enjoyed getting to know our cycling friends from Spinning Wheels as they have been riding across the country from coast to coast to coast. I am so blown away by the care and generosity of our Daily Dance Connect dancers who have offered their homes for the teams to stay overnight, and funds to rent bikes when theirs were stolen. It reminds me that we truly are stronger together! Together we are demonstrating the benefits of movement and the strength of community.
Through this program I have been fortunate enough to have had many powerful experiences, and have met the most inspiring people, all of which have enriched my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. I have witnessed the most beautiful acts of kindness and gestures of support which warm my heart and fill my soul. It is these opportunities, all linked through PD, that inform and inspire not only the classes DWP teachers lead, but the way we show up in the world.
Although this program was designed for people living with Parkinson's, to completely embody inclusivity, we welcome everyone who might benefit from light and joy, music and movement. And isn't that...pretty much all of us?! It was Parkinson's that got us started, art that paved the path, and the science behind it that created the perfect marriage that keeps us thriving!
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: full hearts, meaningful connection, a place to belong, and something to look forward to. And what I look forward to every day is my time with the DWP community, the stories we share, the people we meet, and the experiences we create and enjoy together!
Let's dance,
Sarah Robichaud
Founder & CEO
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DWP adds a Little Swagger to the Parkinson Canada SuperWalks!
Dancing with Parkinson's is thrilled to partner with Parkinson Canada for the 2024 SuperWalks to lead special dance warm-ups prior to your walk, at selected locations across the country. This year, we have created special "Find Your Swagger" choreography (sitting and standing), to align with Parkinson Canada's new PD awareness campaign.
Please join us for a special Daily Dance Connect program on Thursday, September 5th at 11:00 a.m. EST (via Zoom), to learn the choreography, meet other people living with PD from across the country, and SWAGGER with us!
Not yet registered for the DDC? No problem! Here's the link to sign up (it's free!) and join us.
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DWP "Find Your Swagger" - Sitting Dance
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DWP "Find Your Swagger" - Standing Dance
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We hope to see you at one of the following locations to dance and walk with us!
September 7th
- Toronto: Earl Bales Park, Picnic Area #5
- Winnipeg: 500 Shaftsbury
- Ottawa: 102 Greenview Avenue
- Regina: 2404 Elphinstone Street
September 8th
- Coburg: Victoria Park, 138 Division Road
- Vaughan: Vaughan City Hall
Living elsewhere? Click here to find other SuperWalk locations near you!
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DWP Dances Across the Country with Spinning Wheels
We have been loving dancing with Jim, Mike, Lloyd, the Spinning Wheels team and cyclists who join them along their route as they ride across the country raising awareness and funds for Parkinson's disease research and specialized programming. Every day, the team logs into our 11:00 a.m. Daily Dance Connect with an update on how their adventure is going, and who they have been meeting along the way. They've shared incredible stories and challenges, and have been a source of inspiration and joy for our DWP family over the past few weeks.
It should come as no surprise that the DWP community has rallied behind these amazing cyclists, from DDC dancer, Loranna, hosting the western team at her home in Calgary, to our new DWP instructors, Heather and Tess, leading a class in Regina, and PEI teacher, Julia, welcoming the eastern crew in Charlottetown. We look forward to dancing together with Lloyd's group and the Living Better with Parkinson's community in Collingwood on September 17th. If you're in the area, please join us! We are honoured to be part of their journey.
We are posting regular updates on social media, so if you're not really following us, now is the time! Click here for Instagram and here for Facebook.
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Labour Day at the Beach!
On Labour Day weekend, the Daily Dance Connect went to the beach...the virtual beach that is! Dancers put on their sun hats, moved to tropical music, and enjoyed a final celebration of summer.
We love our special theme days. If you haven't joined us for the Daily Dance Connect, every day at 11:00 a.m. EST, please do! You can register for free by clicking here. We look forward to welcoming you into our dance family.
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Free Tickets! Join 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 as soon as possible 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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Creating Connection in Thornhill
On a recent Tuesday at our Thornhill class, Phoebe, one of DWP's incredible teachers, invited dancers to share something they're passionate about and proud of. Two brought their photo albums to class and they all gathered round to enjoy and hear stories from their fellow dancers. Their pictures were truly incredible, and created a powerful opportunity for this beautiful community to connect and learn more about each other.
Are you in the Thornhill area? We would love to have you join our dance family! Click here to learn more and to register.
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In-Person Classes are Back!
There are so many opportunities to dance together this fall! In addition to our free, online daily dance program (which is available seven days a week), there are 26 other online and in-person classes available across Canada! In studios for seniors and people living with PD, and in seniors' residences and long term care homes, for Parkinson's support groups and seniors' active living programs, there's a whole lot of dancing going on! Check out our website for more information about where you can find us. While you're there, register for a class near you!
We are also very excited to be launching new in-person locations this Fall with Regina being first up in October! If you would like to hear about additions to our class schedule, send us an email and we'll be sure to be in touch with information as details are confirmed!
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Time Change for DWP's Thornhill Class!
DWP's in-person class in Thornhill now runs from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Feel free to contact us with any questions: info@dancingwithparkinsons.com.
Not yet registered for our Thornhill class? Click here!
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Where We're Dancing!
Through the month of August, we launched new in-person classes at Retirement Suites by the Lake, Bridgepoint, Allendale Retirement Residence and Dixon Hall. We are so excited to build our dance family in these new communities.
In September, we will be offering demos at Amica Swan Lake, Better Living Health Services, North York General Hospital and Parkinson Canada Health and Wellness. 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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DWP and the "Find Your Swagger” Parkinson’s Health & Wellness Mini-Expo
On Wednesday, September 25th at 2:00 p.m., our CEO & Founder, Sarah Robichaud, will join Parkinson Canada's 3rd annual Health & Wellness Mini-Expo webinar. You will have the opportunity to sample a variety of movement and expressive arts programs designed for the physical, cognitive and emotional benefit of people living with Parkinson's.
For all of the details, a complete list of sessions that will be available and to register for the webinar, click here.
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Join us to Celebrate Spinning Wheels!
The eastern, western and northern Spinning Wheels teams will be riding through southern Ontario and making stops in Collingwood and Peterborough before all three wrap up their tour in Ottawa!
If you're in any of these areas, we would love to see you as we welcome the cyclists on the following dates:
- September 17th, Collingwood: Side Launch Brewing, BBQ from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- September 23rd, Peterborough: PD Wellness Project - Trent University, BBQ from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- September 28th, Ottawa: Gear Down Celebration at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, followed by a party at Lowertown Brewery, kicks off at 3:00 p.m.
For more information, email lisa@dancingwithparkinsons.com or visit www.spinningwheelstour.ca where you can also purchase tickets for these events.
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"Slice of Life": Intergenerational Edition
On August 27th, we were delighted to hear from Gordon Dove and 10-year old Oliver Boyd for our first intergenerational "Slice of Life". Stemming from Oliver's keen interest in the "unsinkable ship", Gordon and Oli met over a number of weeks to discuss and research this timeless topic. They put together a fantastic presentation on the "Little Known Facts about the Titanic" which they shared with the DWP community, and then answered questions.
It was very special to experience the bond that these two have formed, and to witness the power of connecting seniors and youth through common interests that transcend generations. To watch Oli and Gordon's "Slice of Life", click here.
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Our Next Intergenerational "Slice of Life"!
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 connection while providing unique ways to collaborate 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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DWP Board Member Speaks on "The Agenda"
Renowned neurologist and DWP Board Member, Dr. Lorraine Kalia, contributed recently to "The Agenda" podcast for an episode called "Is Parkinson's Becoming a Pandemic?" Dr. Kalia speaks to what Parkinson's disease is, the associated symptoms, what we know, what we can do, and what researchers are discovering every day.
Click here to listen.
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We are looking for 12 individuals to help keep our DWP classes free for thousands to enjoy each and every day. It costs just $30/month to share the joy and benefits of dance and movement. Can we count on you to be one of the 12? Click below to show your support!
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I am truly grateful for the opportunity to teach within the DWP community. It has strengthened my passion for working with the elderly and those affected by Parkinson's. I've cherished every moment spent with these wonderful dancers.
~ Phoebe, DWP Teacher
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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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