Dance Recital the Culmination of Months of Work for 6 Nanaimo Teens
April 26, 2018 | Nanaimo Harbourfront
Thursday, April 26, Nanaimo, BC: The curtain’s set to rise on a one-of-a-kind dance performance starring some inspirational teens. On Saturday, May 5 at 7pm, all are invited to attend Here to Imagine at the Malaspina Theatre at Vancouver Island University (VIU) to watch a group of six talented dancers perform choreographed routines they have been working on since October.
“Seeing these girls take ownership and control of their performance has been such a joy to experience,” says Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) librarian Caitlin Ottenbreit. “Most of them had little to no dance experience before getting involved with this program, but to see them now, you’d think they’d been dancing their whole lives. They’ve been so inspiring to work with.”
The performance is the result of a partnership between VIRL and Dandelion Dance Company that provided six teens in Nanaimo with a unique opportunity to experience the healing and expressive powers of dance. The teens were selected with the help of the Nanaimo Boys and Girls Club.
To prepare for their performance, the teens, aged 13 – 18, have been meeting at VIRL’s Nanaimo Harbourfront branch on Saturdays since October. The sessions have been facilitated by acclaimed dance instructor Hannah Beach, founder of the Dandelion Dance Company in Ottawa. Hannah provides support for the dancers, but most of the creative decisions, including choreography, are theirs to make. The dancers have also been hard at work sewing and crafting their own props and are planning to produce a book documenting their journey using the library’s book printing machine.
Funding for this program was provided by an Island Health Community Wellness grant.
Admission to the May 5 performance is by donation.
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For more information
David Carson
Director, Corporate Communications and Strategic Initiatives
250.753.1154 ex 248
Cell: 250.327.3651
dcarson@virl.bc.ca
