International Dance Day April 26, 2009

In celebration of International Dance Day 2009, are proud to present an afternoon of FREE dance activities at Yonge-Dundas Square, featuring a variety of dance forms and Toronto-based performers. On stage and off the stage, the square will be alive with assorted performances, interactive dance presentations, open classes and information on an array of dance styles & traditions.

Our artists include: Back to the Underground, Capoeira Males, Thrill the World, Mi Young Kim Dance Company, Gadfly, Vivace Studios, Jennifer Hicks, AKA Dance, Blue Ceiling Dance, Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet, Aya Dance Collective, PushPull Dance, Collective Heat, Artists’ Play Dance Theatre, Sanskriti Arts Dance Company, Lady Janitor, Kay-Ann Ward, Jay 9 Dance Projects, Rick Hansen Secondary School, and more. The Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists will also have stationed their recruitment office for The Ministry of Silly Walks Walk-A-Thon, which will begin its absurd Toronto parade on Wednesday April 29th.

We are excited to feature Bboy Cyphers, Capoeira Matches, Nia Demonstrations, Contemporary Choreography, Belly Dancing, Thriller Workshops, Bollywood Lessons, Hip Hop Routines, Dance-Theatre Shows, African Dance, TDSB Students, and more. Situated in the open heart of Toronto, this special public event offers an eye-opening and interactive experience, highlighting Toronto’s rich, diverse and inclusive dance community. This event is fun for all and we encourage all of Toronto to join us and participate in the Dance Day festivities!

The 28th annual International Dance Day is a UNESCO designated day for celebrating dance and dance artists. London-based dance/choreographer Akram Khan has written the official 2009 message from UNESCO: “This very special day is dedicated to the one language that everybody in this world can speak, the inherent language of our bodies and our souls, of our ancestors and of our children. This day is dedicated to every god, guru and grandparent that ever taught and inspired us, to every song and impulse and moment that’s ever moved us to move. It is dedicated to the little child that wishes it could move like its star, and to the mother who says, “you already can”. This day is dedicated to every body of every creed, colour and culture that carries the traditions of its past into stories of the present and dreams of the future. This day is dedicated to Dance, to its myriad dialects and its immense power to express, transform, unite and delight.”

The Toronto Dance Day Committee and the Dance Umbrella of Ontario would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage for their generous support. This event and more are organized and set in motion thanks to Toronto Dance Day Committee: Julye Huggins, Rosslyn Jacob-Edwards, Alexis Da Silva-Powell, Robin Dutt, and Heather Saum in their assistance in organizing this event