Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) is pleased to announce their 2012–2013 Season. One of Canada’s leading contemporary dance companies, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre explores the intersection of indigenous and new dance performance and is internationally renowned for its artistry, creative excellence and collaboration. The embodiment of spirituality within traditional culture(s), innovative storytelling conveyed through cinematic imagery and virtuosic performance electrifies audiences on the world stage.
KDT’s 2012-2013 Season features engaging programming for young/family audiences, premiere of new works and one-of-a-kind performance training opportunities.
This Fall young audiences across Canada will experience Medicine Bear, a story that shares important lessons through rich, visually stimulating set design, engaging performance and storytelling. Working alongside Prologue for the Performing Arts Medicine Bear will be presented in an elementary school setting. KDT will also be hosting their March Break Dance Camp for youth in the Spring of 2013 in St. Catharine’s Ontario. Our signature contemporary dance theatre programming will include the production of two new creations Mixed Works: NeoIndigenA and The Honouring. The Honouring is set to have its site-specific World Premiere on June 20-22, 2013 at Toronto’s historic Fort York.
KDT’s 2012–2013 Season at a Glance
Aboriginal Dance Training 2012
The 8th Season commenced with KDT’s 4th annual summer intensive, Aboriginal Dance Training (ADT) program during the month of August, at Canada’s National Ballet School. Commitment to developing the future talent pool of creators and artistic thinkers and leaders, the four week program involved diverse training in classes such as: KDT Repertoire, Ballet, Contemporary, Iroquois Social Dance, Powwow styles, Hoop Dance (X-H-T), GAGA, Muscle & Bone and inaugural Choreographic Lab. Through this one-of-a-kind program it is KDT’s goal to ensure maximum training opportunities are available to dancers pursuing a professional dance career with a focus on indigenous dance training in conjunction with formal western-based dance training and alternative training methodologies.
Medicine Bear (Performances for Young/Family Audiences)
Through whimsical music, dance and storytelling, Medicine Bear weaves into one magical narrative traditional Iroquoian stories: how the Bear Clan came to be known as the “Keeper of the Medicines” and the hunter who discovered the gift of healing. Following oral traditional practices, Medicine Bear teaches virtues of compassion, thankfulness and respect for nature in a way that is playful and thought provoking for young and family audiences. Medicine Bear entertains while expanding understanding and appreciation for the Arts and encourages sharing of First Nations culture to future generations.
Tour Dates & Locations
2012
October 16 @ McKee Public School, Toronto, ON (Prologue to the Performing Arts)
October 17 @ Kingsview Village Junior Public School, Toronto, ON
October 20 @ 42nd CODE Conference, Alliston, ON
October 24 – 27 @ Algoma Fall Festival, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
2013
February 7 @ Meadowvale Village Public School, Mississauga, ON
February 11 @ Flynn Centre, Burlington, Vermont
February 14 @ Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, ON
February 22-23 @ Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, CT
February 28 @ Fergus Grand Theatre, Fergus, ON
May 24, 25 @ Surrey Children’s Festival, Surrey, BC
The Honouring (World Premiere)
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s 2012–2013 Artistic Season includes a World Premiere of their theatrical performance, The Honouring, as part of the City of Toronto Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812, directed and choreographed by Santee Smith. The work honours the Onkwehonwe (Iroquois) involvement during the War of 1812 by acknowledging the sacrifices of the community and the men who died to protect Onkwehonwe sovereignty, culture and land. The performance pays homage to their personal sacrifices and belief in what was the best for their family, community and future generations. The Honouring captures the human experience at this time of great strife, putting a human face to our history. What was it like for the wives to have their husbands leave? How did the soldiers prepare themselves for battle and what were the hopes of the Onkwehonwe community during the war?
Humanistic, theatrical, and visually engaging this site-specific performance takes place on the grounds of Toronto’s historic Fort York on June 20-22, 2013. The cast includes a unique mix of dance artists and community performers.
The Honouring creative team features Artistic Direction/Choreography/Design by Santee Smith; Composition/Arrangement by Lou Pomanti withadditional songs by Jennifer Kreisberg, Adrian Harjo among others; Video Design by Andy Moro; Lighting Design by Alaina Perttula; Costume Design/Construction by Elaine Redding and Leigh Smith, among others. The musical score features Onkwehonwe musicians from Six Nations.
Fort York: www.fortyork.ca
March Break Performance Camp: Comes to St. Catharine’s!
Commitment to nurturing and invigorating creativity, KDT’s March Break Performance Camp offers youth (ages 9-14) a gateway experience to pursue “live art” and professional dance as a career. Conservatory style classes in First Nations and urban dance styles, drama, choreography and contemporary dance offer youth the opportunity to learn or refine their dance skills and explore their creative potential guided by generous instructors. Designed by Artistic Director Santee Smith, she states her goals for the Camp:
“It is my hope that the Camp will ignite passion for live arts and through the rigours of training, youth may come to know that their body, voice and imagination matters – that they may come to understand their innate creativity as it applies to performing arts and their life.”
Registration Information: info@kahawidance.org
ABOUT KAHA:WI DANCE THEATRE
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) is one of Canada’s leading contemporary dance companies. Exploring the intersection of indigenous and new dance performance it’s internationally renowned for artistry, creative excellence and collaboration. KDT’s embodiment of spirituality within traditional culture, innovative storytelling conveyed through cinematic imagery and virtuosic performance electrifies audiences on the world stage.
KDT was founded by Artistic Director/Choreographer Santee Smith (Mohawk). Innovative, transformative and culturally power packed performances distinguish Santee as one of Canada’s most exciting choreographers.
Kaha:wi (Ga-HA-Wee) means “to carry” in the Mohawk language and is a traditional name for Smith’s family. KDT carries culture through dance, theatre, music and design. Creativity is central to her work, Smith states:
“My work is an exploration into the creative potentiality present within traditional performance aesthetics, practice and expression. In the collaboration process with artists, we negotiate the lines between tradition and contemporary.”
“Her highly charged, traditional/contemporary/ballet fusion eats up the stage.” – Globe and Mail
Operating as an artist-run sole proprietorship since 2001, KDT officially incorporated into a not-for-profit organization in June 2005 and received charitable status in 2006. KDT is located in Toronto.
MAJOR SEASON SPONSORS
Department of Canadian Heritage
Canada Council for the Arts
Ontario Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council
Miziwe Biik Employment & Training
PRODUCTION SPONSORS
Kaha:wi Dance gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada and the Toronto Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812
SCHOOL BOOKINGS
Prologue for the Performing Arts
For more information about the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, visit www.kahawidance.org
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