Come out and jam with us at the FCLMA’s Latin Street Party on June 15 from 6-9pm. We’ll have a LDF Dance Community tent set up and would be happy to share any promo material London artists want to drop off!
Dance Mob At 8:30pm there will be a Dance Mob performance to Latin Roots of London band’s song “Forest City”. Learn the dance here or stop by the tent for a quick lesson. There will be live music by local Latin artists plus food and dancing – you don’t want to miss it!
About the event
On Thursday, June 15, for the first time, London Music Week will feature a Latin Street Party featuring local Latino artists. If you enjoy live music, dancing and great food, you won’t want to miss this.
2023 is also the first year that the Forest City London Music Awards will present a Latin Music Award (June 11, Aeolian Hall). Meet the nominees and the award winner at the Latin Street Party on June 15 in front of Che Restobar on Dundas St. between Wellington and Clarence.
The Latin Street Party will host a lineup of exceptional London artists with roots in various Latin American countries, including award nominees Daubian Oliveria (Brazil), Ana De Mexico, David Rayo (Nicaragua), Big Lou (St. Marten), Gianny Correa (Cuba), J-David (Colombia), Antonio Alas Mariachi Band (El Salvador), Freddy Almarzo (Venezuela) and DJ Renzo (Colombia). A lineup of emerging artists will also perform, including the duo ‘SUYAI’ from Chile, who are new to London but have been performing interpretations of Chilean and Latin American folklore internationally since 2009. Each artist will bring their own unique musical style, creating an energetic and unforgettable evening of Latin rhythms and dance.
CMA Director Bizz Varty is looking to hire local dancers for upcoming gigs with London Arts Live. Performances will take place at various times and locations throughout the summer.
Dancers of all styles are encouraged to apply, and selected artists will be paid $50/hour. The performances will involve a lot of improvisation. Dancers must be comfortable dancing outdoors on a concrete surface (with shoes) and must be 18 or older.
The annual dance mob is a fun & easy dance that anyone can do! Learn the moves in one of our workshops, then join us on stage for a performance. This year’s event will feature a live performance of Asante’s song “Diagonal”. FREE but donations are gratefully accepted!
Thursday, June 30 – Dundas Place 7:30-8:30pm – Dance Mob Workshop with Zola Ncube (Jubilee Square at Talbot & King) 8:30-9pm – Performance (Dundas & Talbot)
Saturday, July 2 – Ivey Park, 331 Thames St. 5pm – Dance Mob Workshop with Jesselle Paguergan 6pm – Live Performance
Meet the2022 Dance Mob Choreographers
Zola Ncube by Lighthouse Photography
Nokuzola Ncube I am an academic and creative. Academically, I am interested in mental health services and intimate partner violence during COVID-19. I am currently completing my MSc. examining the intersection of the aforementioned topics while also pursuing other interesting topics such as kindness, aging, and women’s health. Creatively, my dance career has taken me from all over Ontario, to Zimbabwe and back over the course of 12+ years. Between using dance as an empowerment tool through the Sexual Assault Centre of London (renamed ‘ANOVA’), performing at National Basketball League games, winning national dance awards, and choreographing for international music videos– one question has led my artistry: “What story am I telling?”. As a hip-hop and contemporary dance instructor, I encourage my students to answer that question through their movements. Sometimes the answer is closer to “none Miss Zola, I’m not telling a story– I’m just existing” – and that’s okay too. As an academic and creative, I believe dance has the ability to heal, communicate and bridge seemingly disparate worlds.
Jesselle Paguergan
I have been dancing for almost 4 months with O.N.E centre and I am on the competitive dance team! I am currently working in St. Thomas as a nursing student and doing part-time school. I love dancing and meeting so many people. I am happy that I started dancing now when I couldn’t as a child. I will continue dancing and learn new skills from amazing dancers.
Asante is no stranger to the London music scene. Asante has just completed Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts program and is ready to apply his knowledge to his career. The sounds of this extraordinary young artist range from Pop to RnB. Asante recently won Best Artist at the Essence and Culture Awards and was nominated twice at the Forest City London Music Awards for the Fan Favorite award and Best Pop award. Asante’s performances are high-energy and family-friendly. The music of Asante can be found on all streaming platforms! His website is www.asantemusic.net. The future King of Melodies has a bright future!
Thanks to London Arts Live for supporting Asante’s performance!
The Centre of Movement Arts is proud to present the premiere screening of:
Cleanse, Heal, Bookend. by La Compagnie de Danse “The Beach Show” Film Screening Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 7:00 PM Wolf Performance Hall Tickets $15 www.onstagedirect.com/lacompagniededanse Followed by a Q&A with the artists, facilitated by Bizz Varty
Filmed on location at Port Stanley beach in 2021, this full-length dance work explores the elements of grief and growth through storytelling. All of the artists involved were provided the opportunity to share personal stories from their perspective in a safe space that welcomed dancers to be raw vulnerability without fear of judgment. The result is a deeply moving piece that will take audiences on an emotional journey.
“Collectively, we created a show exploring the Grieving process. Based on everyone’s individual stories, this experience allowed us to see others, witness their stories, and be seen.”
Dancers: Alicia Raphael, Allan Pao, Alli Robb, Christina Tsaltas, Clara Gharibo, Dana Hambly, Jordan Lenz, Julie Mytka, Justine Strokan, Karishma Hosein, Kevin Clements, Michelle Kim, Nicola Popp, Shannon Filson, Stephanie Marentette,Yuan Sui
We’re excited to launch a series of workshops exploring different ways dancing bodies can move. We’ve deconstructed the “typical” dance class into three components: Tuning In, Tuning Up, and Restorative Movement. All classes are open to all levels, but some experience is recommended for the Tune Up sessions. These classes will temporarily replace the Technique Tuesday series while we work out what classes and workshops to offer in 2022.
Masks are mandatory in all classes. Pre-registration is required. Pricing: $20/class or 10 for $150 (HST included). (Passes must be used within 1 year of purchase.) Sliding scale pricing available – please email for details. Payments: can be made by etransfer or through our website.
519 School of Hip Hop (SHH), 760 Little Simcoe Street Free Parking, not wheelchair accessible
Class Descriptions
Tune In Get to know your body. Tune in and become grounded, centered, aware. No experience necessary. Open to all levels, aimed at adults, ages 14+ welcome.
Tune Up Make friends with your body. Tune up your instrument’s strength and range of motion. Some dance experience would be helpful (see full description). Open to all movement backgrounds, aimed at adults, ages 14+ welcome.
Restorative Movement Self-care for dancers, dance teachers, movement and bodywork practitioners. Bring your sore, tired body and make it feel better. Open to all levels, aimed at adults, ages 14+ welcome.
Joy of Movement Have fun and get a little silly as you stretch, sweat, dance & sing! No experience necessary. Open to all ages and abilities. Studio is wheelchair-accessible, and all movements can be done seated.
Dance Community Check-In Join us for a casual chat about the state of dance in London. We’ll start with a gentle movement session to get grounded and in sync (approx 45 mins). Then you’re invited to share your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and feedback, and connect with other local dance artists. Free and open to everyone.
Register Now!
Meet the Teacher
Photo by Jason Sunio
*Bizz will teach all the pre-holiday workshops, and if they are successful we’ll add new teachers to the roster in January.
Elizabeth “Bizz” Varty is a dance artist, educator and arts manager. Her signature blend of movement education draws from ballet, modern, and contemporary dance forms, somatic practices, yoga, pilates. Her classes typically include big laughs and great music. She invites you to discover the joy of moving with awareness and ease. Bizz is the founder and director of the Centre of Movement Arts, presenter of the London Dance Festival. She’s been teaching dance and other moves for more than 20 years. She holds a BFA in dance from York U, and is a certified Yoga and Pilates teacher.
The London Dance Festival is pleased to announce we have a date and venue for an outdoor performance and workshops: September 18 in Ivey Park. The workshops will happen in the late afternoon (approx. 4-6pm) and the performance in the early evening (approx. 6pm). There will be a technical rehearsal in the early afternoon (approx. 1-4pm). The film screening date has not been set, it will be announced shortly.
Dance artists of all ages, career stages, and styles are welcome to apply (we will be in touch with all previous applicants, there is no need to re-apply). Please tell us as much as you can about your proposed dance performance, film or workshop, and get in touch at info@londondancefestival.ca if you have questions.
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS Anyone can learn new moves in all-levels workshops in Flamenco and Philippine Folk Dance. Experienced dancers can try classes in Bellydance and Bollywood styles. All classes will be held on zoom, register here, or see website for more details.
Flamenco with Patricia Vasconcellos of Flamenco del Sur Saturday April 24, 3:30-4:30pm FREE on Zoom Open to all levels register here
Have lots of fun leaning the “Por Tangos” Flamenco Rhythm in this all-levels workshop with Patricia. She’ll teach you a short choreography with clapping, Braceo (arm and wrist movements), and footwork. You’ll finish the dance with a typical Flamenco “Remate.” Please wear comfortable closed shoes (ballet shoes, running shoes, ballroom or flamenco shoes).
Technique Sunday: Belly dance with Luna of Rising Moon Sunday April 25, 12:15-1:30pm $5 (or free if you fill out a survey!) on Zoom register here For experienced dancers, details here.
Explore the ancient art of Bellydance. We will focus on fundamentals including slow figure eights, arm and hands frames and movements, different kinds of shimmies and travelling steps. We will play with combinations and form a connection with the music. Please wear comfortable workout clothes and a scarf of any kind around your hips if you have one. No shoes are required. Also keep water handy to stay hydrated especially after the shimmy practice!
I grew up in Colombia, South America, and moved to London, Ontario in 2003 where I started taking bellydancing classes with various master instructors. Through the years, I developed a passion for this art and it is what I love to do. I enjoy performing, developing choreography, and exploring the various bellydance styles and fusions. Since 2012, I have been teaching in London. I am the founder of Rising Moon Bellydance and have performed as a soloist and with my troupe in various festivals and events in Ontario and the US.
Josette Joseph by Aezelle Carpio
Technique Tuesday: Bollywood with Josette Joseph Tuesday April 27, 12:15-1:30pm $5 (or free if you fill out a survey!) on Zoom register here For experienced dancers, details here.
Josette has been training in Bollywood and Indian Classical styles for 19 years and has performed on tv, on stage in front of thousands, and alongside some of Bollywood’s top stars. In this class, participants will learn some Bollywood technique along with a quick routine to “Jai Ho”.
Josette has been dancing for 19 years. She began training and performing in Bollywood, which she currently teaches at PFA, then branched out to Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop in high school. She has competed in numerous competitions (and placed first with her team in a national competition), has performed on TV, and has been paid to perform around Ontario. She has trained with well-known, Toronto-based companies such as Badass Babes and DARK Dance.
Philippine Folk Dancing with Mari Udarbe Han Wednesday April 28, 5:30-6:30pm FREE on Zoom Open to all levels register here
Mari will be teaching about cultural expression with an introductory session on “Pangalay”, a Philippine Indigenous dance originating from the Tausug people of the southern Philippine islands. This dance is characterized by hand movements that resemble the ocean waves, which is enhanced by long, metal fingernails called “Janggay.”
Mari Udarbe Han is registered physiotherapist with a decade of experience in orthopedics. She is the owner and operator of 519physio, a treatment space housed with 519 School of Hip Hop. Inspired by her own dance journey as part of the Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts of Manitoba and Synergy Dance Productions, she is passionate about artist health and wellness. In 2020, she hosted the first ever “Artist Wellness: Virtual Summit” with many guest speakers covering topics including nutrition, hypermobility, strength, mental health, etc. Mari believes the goal of physiotherapy in dance (and in life!) is to optimize performance, reduce injury and rehabilitate various musculoskeletal conditions through self-awareness and movement.
Contemporary with Samantha Sendas Friday April 30, 4-5pm FREE on Instagram Open to all levels register here
Sam Sendas is very excited to be joining London Dance festival yet again, this time from the comfort of her own home. Sam was the 2018 LDF Dance Mob choreographer and is still keeping busy in the London dance community in various ways (prior to the recent turn of events) She can be seen in performances with Breath in MVMT, teaching and taking classes at O.N.E Dance Studio, Choreographing for the premiere of The Saidat Show LIVE, or just dancing around in any open space she can find. Sam is very grateful for the opportunities London Dance Festival has given her, especially now during this time of social distancing. She hopes everyone is staying safe and can’t wait for the day when we can all dance together again.
AND MORE!
Dance Community Round Table Sunday, April 25 at 2pm. FREE Join us to discuss the current needs of our dance community in London. Feel free to share your ideas on how we can keep supporting local talents during these difficult times. All feedback is appreciated.
Dancer Wellness with Mari Udarbe Han All week on social media
Mari Udarbe Han is a registered physiotherapist with almost 10 years of experience. She is an advocate for dance medicine and rehabilitation, and is the official wellness director of 519 School of Hip Hop. Mari has been working on initiatives to provide accessible education and to increase awareness in London’s dance community.
International Dance Day – Virtual Family Dance Party! April 29, 2pm FREE
Join Alan Faigal for a fun family dance party on April 29 at 2pm to kick offDance Ontario’s #DanceWeekend21 on International Dance Day, everyBODY is invited to dance along in a family friendly energizer of JOY! RegisterHERE.
