Dance West Network’s 8th annual DADAO program launches outside this summer
Eight dance projects will allow community members to interact with a variety of inspiring performances
SPONSORED POST BY Dance West Network
DADAO artist—and 22-23 Project Consultant—Audrey Gaussiran in her piece Ctrl: N. Photo by Duy Khoi Nguyen
Dance West Network’s 8th annual DADAO program will soon be underway, with several touring performances for summer 2023 beginning as early as June.
The DADAO (Des arts dehors/Arts outside) program, which first began in 2016 in partnership with La Danse sur les routes du Québec’s Jouer dehors program, supports dance and performance artists making site-specific work outdoors.
As a consultant for the 22-23 program, Audrey Gaussiran is also a dancer joing DADAO for a second year with her piece Ctrl:N. About DADAO Audrey states, “Performing dance outdoors brings a singular connection with the audience. It’s an open space where the spectator is free to come and go; it democratizes access to art.”
This year’s program will feature eight projects led by artists from a variety of dance backgrounds, including three Vancouver-based creators: Isaac Gasangwa (a.k.a. Izo Dreamchaser), Jhoelhy Triana, and duo Sarah Wong and Ileanna Cheladyn.
Originally from Rwanda, Isaac Gasangwa is the founder and director of Afrobeats Van, an organization offering dance classes and performances as a way to introduce, educate and inspire Vancouverites to connect with African culture and history, as well as tackle social issues of racism and police brutality.
Isaac Gasangwa. Photo by Afrobeats Van
Isaac Gasangwa’s DADAO workshop Sobanukirwa (Understand) focuses on the transition from Intore—a traditional Rwandese dance—to an Afrobeats dance, by exploring the nuances and history of each style.
Jhoelhy Triana’s piece Arboles (Trees) features flamenco dance, song, guitar, and percussion amongst the trees, a work that metaphorically represents honouring our roots and gathering strength from the past to reach new heights. Arboles will allow the community to share their lived experiences, and spread the seeds of empathy and compassion.
Jhoelhy Triana in Arboles. Photo by Yolanda Triana
Sarah Wong and Ileanna Cheladyn’s Rock Garden is an interactive installation featuring handcrafted cushions inspired by the movements of shape shifting within the life cycle of rocks. It enacts a relationship between art, activism, and community gathering. Through the integration of choreography and textile design, Rock Garden aims to be a soft place to land that reminds participants to slow down, release, and tend to their embodied needs.
The five other creators who are a part of DADAO this year are Audrey Gaussiran, 2Amigas duo de danse flamenca, LA TRESSE, Solène Bossu, and MARIBÉ - SORS DE CE CORPS.
DADAO artists get professional support through group workshops, meetings with presenters, mentoring, and more. 2022-23 artist mentors include Angela Cooper Poundmaker, Rhodnie Desir, Emmanuel Jouthe, Natalie Purschwitz, and Rosario Ancer.
Dance West Network will issue an application call to artists this August for the 2023-24 DADAO cohort. More details can be found at Dance West Network, or by reaching out to jane@dancewest.net.
Post sponsored by Dance West Network.
Sarah Wong and Ileanna Cheladyn’s Rock Garden.