SEASON 35

SECRET GARDEN SUMMER STAGE
Sponsored by Sherwood Greenhouse

Photo Credit: Kris Evans
Monument by Edward Poitras and Robin Poitras
Performer: Marcus Merasty

New Dance Horizons Secret Garden Summer Stage includes six spectacular shows, featuring an eclectic array of live performance works with dance, music, theatre, and visual artists from near and far.

learn more about shows

Show # 1
Saturday, July 3rd at 7:30 PM
Featuring: Anastasia Evsigneeva, Anna Protsiou, Bill Coleman, Johanna Bundon, Joseph Ashong, Jonah Ashong, Kwanita Ashong, Kathryn Ricketts, Marcus Merasty, Mac Findlay, I-Ying Wu, Tara Solheim and VibesYQR (Tessa Rae Kuz, Edwardo Alvaro, Roddire John Creer, Mohitdeep Khatra, Renz Rivero).

Show # 2
Saturday, July 10th at 7:30 PM
Featuring: Anastasia Evsigneeva, Anna Protsiou, Bill Coleman, Gary Varro, I-Ying Wu, Mac Findlay, Marcus Merasty, Mark Shaub and Tessa Rae Kuz.

Show # 3
Saturday, July 17th at 7:00 PM
Featuring: Anastasia Evsigneeva, Anna Protsiou, Davida Monk, E-Major (Chris Edwards), Francine Merasty, I-Ying Wu, Jackie Latendresse, Joelle Fuller, Joseph Ashong & Family, Justine Erickson, Mac Findlay, Marcus Merasty, Michèle Moss and Tessa Rae Kuz.

Show # 4
Saturday, July 24th at 7:30 PM
Featuring: Brooke Hess, Gerry Morita, I-Ying Wu, Marcus Merasty, Richard Lee, and Tessa Rae Kuz.

Show # 5
Thursday, July 29th at 7:00 PM
Featuring: Gary Varro, Graham Kotowich, Katherine Semchuk, Mac Findlay, Marcus Merasty, Meghann Michalsky and Timothy Hopfner.

Show # 6
Saturday, July 31th at 7:00 PM
Featuring: Gary Varro, I-Ying Wu, Kathryn Ricketts, Krista Solheim, Linda Yablonski, Marcus Merasty, Marie-Véronique Bourque, Roderick T. Johnson, Skyler Anderson, Tessa Rae Kuz and Vuyo Ginindza.

DANCING FOR OSCAR POW WOW
Presented by New Dance Horizons
Hosted by The Saskatchewan Science Centre

Free Event Featuring dancers from across Pow Wow Country.

Everyone knows an Oscar, a family member, a friend, a neighbour; someone who is hurt and in need of healing.
This special dance gathering is for healing, love and sharing the power of dance.

Guest Curator: Michael Laliberte
New Dance Horizons' Artistic Co-Directors: Edward Poitras and Robin Poitras

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 7th, 1:00-1:30pm
Location: At The Saskatchewan Science Centre, 2903 Powerhouse Drive

New Dance Horizons'
DANCING & WILD TALES
AT ART OUT LOUD
Presented by Globe Theatre

Photo Credit: Dima Lavrentiev
Serpent Trio created and directed by Robin Poitras
Performers Anna Protsiou, Marcus Merasty and Anastasia Evsigneeva

Live Performances in Victoria Park with Globe Theatre and Guest Artists.

NEW DANCE HORIZONS’ Dancing & Wild Tales, was launched in February 2021 for Black History Month. This dance-based performance series explores stories, myths, fairy tales, and folktales through the art of dance, theatre, storytelling, visual art, and music.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 26th, 2021, 1-9pm
Location: Victoria Park, Regina, SK

Artistic Co-Directors: Robin Poitras and Edward Poitras
Technical Director: Patrick James
Staff and Guest Artists: Dima Lavrentiev, Marcus Merasty, Jeffrey Quinn, Mac Findlay, Anastasia Evsigneeva, Anna Protsiou, I-Ying Wu, Tessa Rae Kuz, Roderick T. Johnson, and Gary Varro
Costumes: Robin Poitras, Linda Coe-Kirkham and Kris Evans

Performances

1. Serpent Trio (By Robin Poitras) performed by Marcus, Anastasia and Anna
   
2. Dorothy in Wonderland performed by Anna (as Dorothy), Mac (as Lion), Marcus (as Mad Hatter), Dima (as White Rabbit),
   Anastasia (as Mock Turtle) and Griffin (gifted by Lumsden's Lincoln Gardens)
3. Gulliver’s Travels performed by Gary Varro (as Gulliver) and Mac
4. Tangled performed by dance duo Anna and Anastasia
5. Red River Jig performed by Marcus and I-Ying
6. Lunar Stand Still (By NDH/Rouge-gorge – Edward Poitras, Robin Poitras) performed by Anna and Anastasia
7. Horse Dance Works (By NDH/Rouge-gorge – Edward Poitras, Robin Poitras) performed by Marcus, Anastasia, Anna, I Ying and Tessa
8. Snow White & The Seven performed by Anastasia (as Snow White), Marcus (as Prince), Anna, Dima, Robin, Mac, I-Ying and Tessa
   

New Dance Horizons presents a special performance for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia
PRIDE AT THE LEGISLATURE

New Dance Horizons presents a special performance for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

On May 17th 2021 we filmed a special performance on the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building to commemorate the day when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases.

We previously shared this video during the month of Pride to show our support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride from NDH!

Artistic Direction

• Robin Poitras
• Edward Poitras
  

Performers

• Marcus Merasty (dancer)
• Matthew Bryson (bagpipes)

Videography

• Dima Lavrentiev
  

Ltd.  Edition
World of Oneder

Action #1 Walk With Me

New Dance Horizons are thrilled to announce the first in a series of actions by Gary Varro, marking the commencement of his LTD Edition – World of Oneder Artist Residency. Gary's intermittent art actions will be announced on NDH's social media only.

Bipedal your body through Wascana Park to take in the visual, aural and sensory pleasures of walking in silence and in individual and collective states of mind.

Surrender yourself, single file, following Gary on a gentle walk on a meditative, soulful journey.

Location: Wascana Hill
Date/Time: Saturday, February 27 at 5:30pm.
The walk is a loop and will be approximately 1 hour.

At the conclusion of the walk back at the top of the hill, you are welcome to toast the full snow moon with a special spicy chilly hot chocolate courtesy of @corecoffeeyqr specialty coffee + snacks thanks to Amy + Tim Weisgarber.

Limited to 10 people. Cut off time for registration is 2:30pm. Please email events@newdancehorizons.ca or call (306) 525-5393 if you would like to attend.

** Gary's hand chosen one of a kind walking sticks will be available as a fundraiser towards Gary's residency.

Walking Instructions:

• Parking on top of Wascana Hill
• After arriving, you can gather near Gary in silence. You will be able to identify Gary, as he will have a walking stick** with a white flag.
• Walk will commence at 5:30 sharp.
• Everyone is to maintain at least 9ft of distance and is required to wear a mask.
• Maintain a slow steady pace, allowing for a range of paces.
• A few pauses during the walk will occur to allow for reflection. These will be indicated by Gary raising his flag.
• If someone needs to stop, you stop behind them or negotiate passing in silence.
  

• Walk determined prior to sunset to maximize safety for the group.
• If necessary, you can use your flashlight on your phone for seeing in front of you, however your screen must remain non-illuminated and your on silent.
• Please wear proper winter footwear. Although intended to be a gently paced walk, be prepared for deep snow, ice, moisture and changes in elevation.
• Bring your own walking stick if you like
  

NDH's House of Dance Presents...

DANCING & WILD TALES:
Anansi and the Sky God's Stories

Produced by New Dance Horizons' Rouge gorge
in Partnership with
Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum
&
Saskatchewan Caribbean-Canadian Association

Photo Credit: Edward Poitras
Performer, Roderick T. Johnson

NEW DANCE HORIZONS’ HOUSE OF DANCE is proud to launch Dancing & Wild Tales, a dance-based video performance series that explores stories, myths, fairy tales, and folktales through the art of dance, theatre, storytelling, visual art, and music. Dancing & Wild Tales is imagined by Managing and Artistic Director Robin Poitras and Co-Artistic Director Edward Poitras.
 
Developed in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the series seeks to expand awareness and appreciation of cultural stories that touch and connect the lives of people at home in Saskatchewan and around the Globe.

Video still, Ian Campbell,  Anansi and the Sky God's Stories
Artist, Robin Poitras

Video still, Ian Campbell,  Anansi and the Sky God's Stories
Performer, Bongani Musa

First in the Dancing & Wild Tales series is a new dance-based interpretation of the ever popular and significant Anansi and the Sky God’s Stories. Presented in partnership with the Saskatchewan Caribbean-Canadian Association (SCCA) and the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum (SACHM) with sponsorship from Toronto Dominion Bank, this video work is a collaborative creation by Robin Poitras, Edward Poitras, with Nimone Campbell, Roderick T. Johnson, Joseph Ashong, Ian Campbell, and Patrick James.

Anansi and the Sky God’s Stories is presented in recognition and celebration of Black History Month and the contributions and achievements of people of African ancestry.

Please join us for a LIVE STREAMED event on Saturday, February 13th at 3:00pm   

Where: online via New Dance Horizons' Facebook page.
When: Saturday, February 13th at 3 pm.
**Note: After the launch on February 13th, the video performance will be available during our 35th season through to the end of July 2021.
 
Live Stream Event:
MC: NDH Board Chair Gursh Barnard with NDH’s Artistic and Managing Director Robin Poitras, Co-Artistic Director Edward Poitras,
SACHM’s Executive Director Carol LaFayette-Boyd and Chair Sharon-Ann Brown, and Anansi Project collaborating artists Nimone Campbell and Roderick T. Johnson.

Live Performance:
Co-conception: Robin Poitras & Nimone Campbell
Co-choreography: Robin Poitras, Nimone Campbell, Roderick T. Johnson

Performers:
Narrator / Sky God: Bongani Musa
Anansi / Spider: Roderick T. Johnson
Onini / Python: Robin Poitras
Mmoboro / Hornet: Kyra Lynch
Osebo / Leopard: Nimone Campbell
Mmoatia / Fairy: Savana Lynch

Special thanks to: Joanne Crofford and Boomtown Drums, Kenilee and Globe Theatre, Timothy Murphy, University of Regina Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance (MAP), and the University of Regina Department of Film.

New Dance Horizons' gratefully acknowledges the operational support of: Government of Canada, SK Arts, and the City of Regina.

Production:
Sound Score & Drummer: Joseph Ashong
 
Set and Prop Design: Robin Poitras and Edward Poitras
Costume Design & Realization: Robin Poitras, Edward Poitras with Linda Coe-Kirkham
Prop & Costume support: Kris Evans and Patrick James
 
VIDEO:
Co-conception: Robin Poitras & Edward Poitras
Co-direction: Robin Poitras, Edward Poitras, Nimone Campbell
Director of Photography: Ian Campbell
Video Editor: Ian Campbell
Light Design, Technical & Production Management: Patrick James
 
Introduction: an adaptation of the original story
Texts: Nimone Campbell & Robin Poitras

On February 27th, check out SACHM Month End Wrap Up & Presentation by UCAS youth - Li'l Shadd, Anansi and "Other Peoples Heaven".

Bongani Musa was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and currently resides in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a recent graduate at the University of Regina with a BA in theatre and performance. He has acting credits in both theatre and film and has a growing interest in devised theatrical works. His acting credits include 4our(devised), Secrets From the Borne Settee (devised), Catherine Banks’ Bone Cage, Antigone, Terry Pratchett’s Mort, and The Caring Only Cry at Night (film), Mercy (film).

Carol LaFayette-Boyd has been active with the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum (SACHM) board since 2005 and is presently volunteer Executive Director.  She is a board member with the Bob Adams Foundation (BAF) and the For the Love Of Matthew (FLOM).  Carol represented Saskatchewan for the Canadian Masters Athletics (CMA) for 15 years until November 2020.  She attends Gateway Christian Fellowship church where she volunteers in the toddler room.  She has lived and worked in the United States and Canada as a clerk, nurse and social worker. 

Carol trained as a psychiatric nurse and was a registered social worker.  Carol retired in 2005 after 33 years with the Saskatchewan Government in Social Services and Corrections and Public Safety.    

Carol is a Masters track and field athlete having taken up competition at age 50.  She is an inductee in the Regina Sports Hall of Fame (2014) and Canadian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame (2012).  Carol was chosen 2018 World Masters Athletics (WMA) Overall Female Masters Athlete and Runner-Up to best Female Jumper.

Carol is the family historian and has been working on her genealogy since 1982. She is the grandmother of three and great grandmother of three.  

Her great grandfather, Edward LaFayette was a descendent of freed slaves in Virginia.  He travelled to Iowa in 1870 and his son, Carol’s grandfather, Lewis LaFayette who was born in Iowa left in 1906, arriving in Regina with his wife Lillie, son Ernest and brother Goldie.  Carol’s father Karl was born in Regina in 1907.  Lewis LaFayette began homesteading near Fiske, Saskatchewan and moved the family there in 1911.  Her Mother’s family came to Canada from Oklahoma in 1910.  Carol was born on a farm near McGee, Saskatchewan in 1942.  Until she was 17, her family was the only Black family living in the areas they lived. 

Edward Poitras' “artistic benchmark [has been] his masterful ability to combine seemingly contradictory materials”[1] such as fiberglass, circuit boards and magnetic tape with bone, horse hair and rawhide. His work examines complex issues of history and identity, and their connection(s) with place. As critic Nancy Tousley observes, his “family and regional history are [often] interwoven with references to the story of Aboriginal people in the Americas.”[2] Themes of colonization, assimilation, integration, genocide, displacement, migration, survival, nationalism and transnationalism permeate his work as he explores tensions, contradictions, narratives and interactions.

Poitras has exhibited extensively across Canada, as well as in the United States and Europe. His selection as the first Aboriginal artist to represent Canada at the prestigious Venice Biennale marks a recognition of his distinctive contribution to the questions of “Identity and Alterity,” the theme of the 1995 Biennale. His other solo exhibitions include: Qu’Appelle: Tales of Two Valleys, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon (2002); RESIG/NATION, Galerie Le lieu, Quebec City (2000); The Politics of Land, an earthwork at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon (1998); Jaw Rez, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau and MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina (1996); Marginal Recession, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina (1991); Et in America Ego, Art Speak, Vancouver (1989); and Indian Territory, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon (1988). Among group exhibitions, nearly every major contemporary Native art exhibit since 1980 has featured his work, notably: New Work by a New Generation, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina (1982); INDIGENA, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau (1992); and Close Encounters: The Next 500 Years, Plug In ICA, Winnipeg (2011). Internationally, his work has been shown in Santa Fe, Paris, Munster, Havana, New York and Tampere, Finland. His work may be found in the collections of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, MacKenzie Art Gallery, National Gallery of Canada, and National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, DC), among others.

Throughout his career, Poitras has been instrumental in organizing, producing, and participating in performance art, dance, and theatre works. He has created a number of sets, costumes and light designs in collaboration with various artists, including: Floyd Favel Star, Richard Martel, Benoit Lachambre, Jocelyn Montpetit, Bill Coleman, Boye Ladd, Bruce LaBruce, and Robin Poitras. Edward Poitras is a recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Visual Arts (2002), the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Arts Award for Innovation (2005), and a Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American Fine Art (2009).

Edward Poitras is a member of the George Gordon First Nation and resident of Treaty Four Territory. He is an artist who has always recognized his mixed heritage – Métis/Cree/Saulteaux – as a powerful source of energy, creativity and contradiction. Poitras was born in 1953 in Regina. In 1974 he studied with Sarain Stump at the Indian Art Program at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he was introduced to diverse artistic and philosophical approaches that continue to inform his art practice. In 1975–76, Poitras attended Manitou College in La Macaza, Quebec, where Mexican Aboriginal artist Domingo Cisneros imparted an experimental approach to materials and introduced Poitras to the Quebecois performance art scene. Following this time in Quebec, Poitras taught at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College and at the University of Manitoba. During much of the 1980s, he taught at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Regina (now First Nations University of Canada). Poitras worked as a graphic designer for New Breed Magazine in the 1980s. Poitras has since remained connected to his community, exhibiting with and mentoring emerging artists through his involvement with groups including Tribe Inc. (Saskatoon), Sâkêwêwak Artists’ Collective (Regina), and New Dance Horizons (Regina).

Gursh Barnard has a been a long-time supporter and contributor to New Dance Horizons. Her connection to the organisation spans over a period of 20 years. She has served as the Board Chair for the past 10 years and continues to be energized and enthusiastic about the value and importance of NDH to the arts and cultural fabric of Saskatchewan. She has extensive experience in leadership, management, and board governance. As an experienced volunteer her professional and personal commitment to community engagement and community building is at the heart of her activities.

Gursh has over 25 years of experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Currently she is Chair of the Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts, a public Foundation dedicated to creating a legacy of financial support for the arts and artists in Saskatchewan. Recently she completed a ten-year term on the Board of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the longest running ballet company in North America. She facilitated volunteer engagement and strategy for the Winnipeg Art Gallery 100th Anniversary celebrations. Her past arts and cultural involvements include serving on the Saskatchewan Arts Board for 10 years. She was the inaugural recipient of the Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Award for Volunteering. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion led to her Chairing the Regina Multicultural Council and Mosaic the Festival of Cultures.
Gursh is committed to the value of collaboration and to developing partnerships across sectors to enhance the impact of the arts. The motivation for her work is understanding and communicating the value of the arts in society, and especially the vital role that artists and their work contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Saskatchewan.

Ian Campbell is a filmmaker and multimedia artist who works in video, installation and performance art. His short films have been screened across Canada at film and experimental media festivals such as Festival Du Nouveau Cinema (Montreal), WNDX (Winnipeg), Antimatter (Victoria), 8Fest (Toronto) and others in Europe and the US. He has presented performance work using live improvised projected video at artist run centres and performance venues across western Canada. He is currently based in Saskatchewan where he teaches film at the University of Regina.  

http://www.inkocus.com (drawings)
http://www.iancampbell.org (homepage)

Patrick James is currently an Interdisciplinary MFA student at the University of Regina focusing on Creative Technologies and Theatre. He has worked professionally for the past 7 years at Regina’s Globe Theatre as the head of lighting; working on shows such as Chicago, The Drowning Girls, and Mamma Mia!. He has used his technical skills with companies such as the Stratford Music Festival, Regina Fringe Festival, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Holland America Lines, and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan. Patrick’s lighting design credits include Midsummer [a play with songs] (Globe Theatre), Henry and Alice: Into the Wild (Theatre Northwest), Two Rooms (Persephone Theatre), Medea and Transit of Venus (both with University of Regina). Patrick wishes to thank Kenilee and Elizabeth while he pursues his MFA in Theatre/Creative Technologies.

Joseph Ashong has recorded and performed with Peter Gabriel, Angelique Kidjoe, Papa Wimba, Farafina, Annax Bickie, Alpha YaYa Diallo, Four the Moment, Prophet Organs and Juno Award winner Bill Usher. He is often called upon to share his knowledge of traditional Ghanaian culture, music and dance in educational settings.  He taught West African percussion and dance at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music for three years, and has conducted classes and workshop with the National Ballet, “Creating Dance in the Schools” program.  The Toronto Symphony’s ‘Adopt a Musician; program and the Art Gallery of Ontario’s “Spring into Art” programs as well as many, many classroom workshops and presentations.
Ashong now resides in Saskatoon, where he continues his involvement in the music and art scene.  In the summers of 2005 and 2007 he taught at the University of Saskatchewan during summer Session.  He continues to teach and give school presentations at all levels. He joined with two long time Saskatchewan friends from Boomtown Drums as “The Ghanadians”, playing sets at Festivals and special events such as Engineers without borders. He is lead percussionist with Oral Fuentes Reggae Band.

Harvest Heritage Festival TCU – annual multi-cultural event
- Western Development Museum
- performed at Jesse Cook Concert
- Jazz Festival – 10 years   - Fireside Singers - 3 years

Henry and Alice: Into the Wild (Theatre Northwest), Two Rooms (Persephone Theatre), Medea and Transit of Venus (both with University of Regina). Patrick wishes to thank Kenilee and Elizabeth while he pursues his MFA in Theatre/Creative Technologies.

Linda Coe-Kirkham has been an active costume designer and maker on a part-time contract basis for the past 30 years from her home in Battleford, Saskatchewan.  She has been active in supporting arts and cultural programming in Saskatchewan, which includes serving as Executive Director at Dance Saskatchewan for over 10 years.   Since leaving that organization in 2018, she has been able to take a more active role in creative projects that have included working to support a number of multicultural and anti-racism initiatives, as well as working as a costume collaborator supporting dance, film and theatre.  Working on the Anansi Project has added some needed spark to both old and new relationships in the arts and Linda is looking forward to a time when this film project can expand to include community interaction and be shared across Saskatchewan. 

Nimone Campbell is the dance coordinator for the Caribe Folk Arts Dance Troupe. A community youth based dance group specializing in African-Caribbean based dance styles. Although she has been the dance coordinator since 2007, her involvement with the dance group began as a youth dancer in 1989. Nimone is currently the president of the Saskatchewan Caribbean-Canadian Association and a recent board member of New Dance Horizons. Nimone’s profession is a Public Health Inspector with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters.

Robin Poitras is one of Saskatchewan’s most prolific dance and performance creators. Creating dance, performance and installation works, she has been actively engaged in contemporary dance practice since the early 80s. For many years Robin has traversed the formal worlds of dance and performance art. She co-founded New Dance Horizons in 1986, with Dianne Fraser where she continues to act as Artistic Director. With an interest in research into diverse fields of artistic and somatic practice she has developed a unique interdisciplinary approach. Robin’s works have been presented across Canada, in Spain, France, Germany, Mongolia and Mexico. She is a recipient of the 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2006 Mayor’s Awards for Business & The Arts’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2004 Women of Distinction Award for the Arts. 

Roderick Johnson was born in Nassau, Bahamas where he received his early training with the New Breed Dance Company under the direction of Alex Zybine. He earned a B.F.A in Dance Teaching and Therapy followed by a Masters in Dance History and Ethnology at York University.  
Through his career, Roderick has trained, performed and conducted numerous workshops, lectures and seminars throughout the United States, across Canada, Europe, South America and the Caribbean. Best known as a technical dancer and teacher with a creative mind and the ability to work with professional choreographers and theatre personals, Roderick has extensive experience coaching and supporting the development of dancers for examinations and competitions. Physically fit with knowledge of Hip-Hop Street and competitive dance, Roderick is a certified Royal Academy of Dance Teacher and ADAPT educator who practices all codes of conduct and professional practices.
Roderick’s performance experience includes dancing with Ballet Folk of Moscow Idaho, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Theatre Ballet of Canada Ottawa and Opera Atelier, at Canada’s Baroque Opera Company. He has received choreography awards from the Canada Council, The Dancers Transition and Resource Center, York University and the E. Clement Bethel Performing Arts Award for best choreography. In 2010 Roderick received first place in The Bahamas National Arts Festival. In 2011 he was invited to Jakarta and Surabaya, Indonesia where he taught all levels of ballet and Jazz classes, conducted workshops, co-choreographed and performed.
In 2013, he was invited to Trinidad & Tobago to choreograph a contemporary dance “Which Way Is up?” and in 2016 Roderick was invited by the Saskatchewan Caribbean-Canadian Association as the key note speaker for the Saskatchewan Caribbean-Canadian Association’s Black History Month Event “Beyond the Rhythms”.

As a professional dancer in transition, Roderick continues to embrace opportunities to serve Canada in promoting the arts and this season embraces and appreciates the invitation to perform with the New Dance Horizons in a number of their community dance performance events including: a tiny world’s fair and Rare Blue Moon Halloween Howl. Anansi marks Roderick’s debut performance with New Dance Horizon's and first collaborative dance creation with Robin Poitras, Edward Poitras and Nimone Campbell.

Sharon-Ann has held the post as Chair of SACHM since 2017 and prior to that time held other executive positions on the Board of SACHM.
 
During Sharon-Ann’s tenure with SACHM, she’s been instrumental in the successful planning, organizing and execution of the following events:
• 2015 SACHM 10th Anniversary Banquet
• 2017 Measha Bruggergosman’s Songs of Freedom Concert
• 2017 Canada 150 ‘Cultural Village’ Event
• 2017 ‘Pizza, Pasta Night’ Fundraising Event
• 2018 ‘Best of Enemies’ Gala Night
• 2018 Canada Day ‘Cultural Village’ Event
• 2020 African Canadian/Black History Month 15th Anniversary & Gala Ball
 
Sharon-Ann is also a talented and accomplished Opera Singer who sings and performs in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.
 
Sharon-Ann enjoys her role on the SACHM Board and is excited about what the future holds for the organization.

NEW DANCE HORIZONS'
in Partnership with
VERTIGO SERIES and QUEER CITY CINEMA
Presents
A Rare Blue Moon Halloween Howl!

Enjoy a Halloween Adventure on Harvey Street. Visit NDH's pumpkin patch with dance and music streaming live!

Blue moons occur every two and a half years, while full moons only occur on Halloween every 19 years. Halloween 2020's rare blue moon is a Hunter's Moon that will be appearing across all time zones at 10:49 EDT. The last time this phenomenon happened was in 1944!

Sponsored by: Corn Maiden Market at Lincoln Gardens.

What: See X O Skeleton (a video dance loop projection) by the Skeleton Crew (Seema Goel, Robin Poitras, and Stephen Kirkland). Live dance, music, and performances will be live streamed onto front of NDH building, featuring VIBES YQR (street dancers), Colby Nargang, Roderick T. Johnson, Krista Solheim, Gary Varro, and Tara Solheim.

Where: In front of New Dance Horizons building, 2207 Harvey Street. Don't miss the Halloween themed yards by our neighbours across the street!

When: Saturday, October 31st from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

How: Drive, Bike or Walk! Wear a mask and maintain social distancing!

**Can't make it in person? You can always watch the performances online! Check out our home page on Halloween night (5pm - 7pm) for the live stream link!



A Fellow Infinite Jest, 2010 Digital Photograph
The Skeleton Crew (Seema Goel, Robin Poitras, and Stephen Kirkland)
Performer: Robin Poitras

The Vertigo Series is a traveling performance event series for emerging and established writers and musicians of all genres. Events are hosted at various venues around Regina throughout the year. The Vertigo Series believes a spark can happen when artistic disciplines are brought into conversation and partners with other organizations in the community to create collaborative events. 

Tara Dawn Solheim has performed in many contexts throughout Canada, England and Japan. Working across genres, her original creations integrate poetry and melody in acappella performance. After studying English and creative writing at the University of Saskatchewan, she spent a year in the UK and later five years living in Japan. She continues to create new work through residencies at The Banff Centre, St. Peter’s College and Wallace Stegner House. Tara Dawn’s exploration of the physicality of the voice has led her to study practices including Fitzmaurice Voicework, Itcush Method, and the Feldenkrais Method. 

Queer City Cinema Inc. (based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) was initiated in 1996 as a biennial film and video festival and now presents one festival annually -a combination of Performatorium: Festival of Queer Performance and Queer City Cinema: Film Festival.Performatorium and QCC explore performance art and film respectively as means to gather insight and appreciation of queer art and artists locally,nationally and internationally. The range and diversity of performance art and film presented provide the queer and arts communities of Saskatchewan the rare opportunity to survey the rich and colourful dimension of performance art and film and, in turn, are given important insights into a variety of queer cultures.Works in Performatorium and QCC Film Festival act as a means to express and analyze subjects that include –but are not limited to –gender, the body, race, sexuality, identity and the creative process.Other activities include national tours of film programs and curating annual film and performanceart programs for Pitos Waskochepayis, a Two Spirit/Queer Film and Media Festival in Prince Albert Saskatchewan.

Gary Varro is a curator and visual artist based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada where in 1996 he established and continues to present Queer City Cinema Festival and Performatorium Festival of Queer Performance. Since the mid 90’s, Gary Varro’s visual art practice has proposed critical relationships with the architectural and social spaces they occupy and reference. Areas of interest include: queer identities; public/private domains; self humiliation and vulnerability; spectacle and transgression; humour and pathos, endurance and the creative process itself.

Colby Nargang is a Regina, Saskatchewan based entertainer whose music pays tribute to Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison. He has been singing since he was a child, however it was his performance of Roy Orbison's "Running Scared" at Telemiracle 27 in 2003 that opened doors to many opportunities. Colby is a well-known representative for people with disabilities as he was born with a rare disorder, Williams Syndrome. Unique to some individuals with this syndrome is an exceptional aptitude for music and the ability to mimic, which he was fortunate to be gifted with (for more information on Williams Syndrome please visit http://caws-can.org). Colby decided on the title of this album, "If I Can Dream" because it has always been his dream to be an entertainer and songwriter. Though he has had some rough times in his life with his disability and bullying, he still has followed his dreams. Colby feels that if he can overcome the obstacles in his life to achieve his dreams, there is nothing that can stop anyone from achieving theirs.

VIBES YQR
Mohit
Eddy Alvaro
Tessa Rae
Rimo Creer
Ray Chien 

Costume Designs By
Robin Poitras
Edward Poitras
Kris Evans

Technical Direction
Ian Campbell is a filmmaker and multimedia artist who works in video, installation and performance art. His short films have been screened across Canada at film and experimental media festivals such as Festival Du Nouveau Cinema (Montreal), WNDX (Winnipeg), Antimatter (Victoria), 8Fest (Toronto) and others in Europe and the US. He has presented performance work using live improvised projected video at artist run centres and performance venues across western Canada. He is currently based in Saskatchewan where he teaches film at the University of Regina.  

Corn Maiden Market at Lincoln Gardens
Looking for fresh produce? Stop by Corn Maiden Market at Lincoln Gardens in Lumsden. This garden centre and country market offers fresh produce, herbs, locally made jams, honey, and baking! Gift shop onsite.
Visit the Pumpkin Patch and Haunted House through October 31st.

Dancing at Dusk - A Moment with Pina Bausch's The Rite of Spring
October 21st – 28th

Photo © polyphem Filmproduktion

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Springboard Performance is thrilled to present Pina Bausch's stunning interpretation of The Rite of Spring (1975) performed by a specially assembled company and produced by the Pina Bausch Foundation, École des Sables and Sadler's Wells as part of the Fluid All Fall programming. Faithful to Stravinsky's composition, this seminal work examines the power of ritual and sacrifice, as a young woman is chosen to mark the changing seasons. This film is a remarkable achievement in so many ways; it's visceral, beautifully shot, lovingly detailed, luscious visuals and powerful themes. You will not want to miss this rare opportunity to see timeless dance work re imagined.

TRAILER

Culture Days
September 25th – October 25th

Time for Time

NDH is excited to partner with the Compaigne Marie Chouinard to bring you Time for Time. Marie is pleased to present this dance performance, an event that resonates with the existential questions that inundate our lives.

« dessin par Marie Chouinard »
« drawing by Marie Chouinard » 

Concept | Marie Chouinard 

Dancers (alternating) | Michael Baboolal, Adrian W.S Batts, Jossua Collin Dufour, Valeria Galluccio, Motrya Kozbur, Luigi Luna, Sayer Mansfield, Celeste Robbins, Carol Prieur and other guest dancers.

Thursday, September 17, 2020
Six o'clock p.m. in Montreal - 3 p.m. in Los Angeles - 7 p.m. in Sao Paulo - 10 p.m. in Dakar - midnight in Paris - 1 a.m. à Beirut - 3.30 a.m. in Bangalore - 7 a.m. in Tokyo.

Friday, September 18, 2020: 
One o’clock p.m. in Montreal - 10 a.m. in Los Angeles - 2 p.m. in Sao Paulo - 5 p.m. in Dakar - 7 p.m. in Paris - 8 p.m. in Istanbul - 10.30 p.m. in Bangalore - 2 a.m. in Tokyo.

Saturday, September 19, 2020: 
Eight o’clock a.m. in Montreal - 5 a.m in Los Angeles - 9 a.m. in Sao Paulo- noon in Dakar - 2 p.m. in Paris - 3 p.m. in Palestine - 5.30 p.m. in Bangalore - 9 p.m. in Tokyo.

Over three days, according to schedules adapted to audiences all over the world, the dancers of the Compagnie Marie Chouinard will take turns interacting with the audience via Zoom.
 
These spontaneous dance performance will take their inspiration from a heartfelt wish that a member of the audience confides to a performer. In response to this desire, this first step, the dancer will play the role of medium between the forces of life and the unconscious mind of the person who has made the wish, initiating a flow of energy, a movement towards a possible enactment of change. After performing this kind of incantatory dance, reminiscent of the Pythia in ancient Greece, performers will take time to regenerate their bodies and minds before undertaking a new performance.
 
The performer “replies” to each wish expressed with a dance which lasts for approximately five minutes. On each of the three days, members of the audience will be able to view all the dances and all the sharing of wishes. This free event is open to everyone. You just need to register, and 24 hours before the performance you will be provided with a link.

 This moment of exchange is our gift to you. Take the time.
Time for time,
time for sharing, 
time for hope, 
time for intimacy, 
time for change, 
time for introspection, 
time for joy, 
time for you!

A Tiny World's Fair & Secret Garden

Ready to come adventure through the realm of a tiny world?

When: August 4th, 2020 - August 21st, 2020 (Mondays-Fridays)
Where: Art Gallery of Regina (Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre), 2420 Elphinstone St, Regina, SK
Time: 12PM - 5PM Monday through Friday
            Guest artists Dick Moulding and Ed Finch in the gallery Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2PM - 4PM bringing their Tiny World
            creations to life!
Price: Free Admission

Grand Closing Event Friday, August 21, celebrating A Tiny World's Fair!

Come join New Dance Horizons for the closing event of A Tiny World’s Fair and Secret Garden at the Art Gallery of Regina. This event will feature guest artists and live performances by: Tom Brown, Mohit, Tessa Rae, Emily Solstice Tait, Aaron Santos, Renz Rivero, Jerry Siphanthong, and Garry Varro (Garry Gulliver & the 19 COVID Trolls performance piece). Guests may also reserve a spot to enjoy a miniature pizza by Pizza Tom Brown to enjoy alongside a miniature martini –Martiny-s– a twist on a classic cocktail. These wee martiny-s are alcohol free so all ages can enjoy a sip!

Tom Brown’s FEEDING THE MASSES video on http://www.streamofdance.ca/tinyworld offers a glimpse of this live tiny adventure that is sure to whet your appetite!

Tom Brown is an artist living in Calgary, AB, where he graduated from the Alberta College of Art & Design in 2015. His work has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including the Today Show. Working primarily in handmade functional miniature, the focus of his practice is public engagement. Beginning doing pop-up public performances in his fully functional Miniature Kitchen as a part of the larger project, Feeding the Masses, his methods of public engagement have evolved to encompass multiple additional projects. Finders Keepers features a handmade miniature, hidden each Saturday, for a member of the public to find. He has successfully hidden and had found over 140 items since this project's 2017 inception. The items are hidden primarily in Calgary, but locations of successful hides include Spain, France, Japan, and a number of Canadian and American cities. His most recent project, Starting Small, is a collaborative initiative, utilizing his practice as a miniaturist to hand-make miniature skateboard decks which are then distributed to interested members of the public to paint, distribute further to their friends, and return to be catalogued and published. Since beginning this project in early 2019, he has distributed nearly 200 skateboards to people as far away as Turkey, Australia, and Sweden.

There is a contrast in his work, as the formlessness of virtually published work contradicts the heavily process-based practice of creating handmade functional miniatures. This dichotomy is useful in creating opportunities to move virtual interactions from the internet to the physical world, as in his projects Finders Keepers and Starting Small. Cultivating the internet as a display medium, while maintaining visual art as context, he hopes to continue to create new ways to interact with art.

Check out Tom’s website and Instagram to see his delicious creations!