Author: Bizz Varty

Happy International Dance Week!

We are celebrating with you by showing a selection of performances from the Spring Showcase 2017 held at Wolf Performance Hall on March 10. Performance videos will be available on YouTube from Friday night until Sunday night ONLY so watch them while you can!

The Youtube videos will go live a t 4:30pm Friday, and links will be posted on the Facebook Event page. You can also visit our Youtube channel.

(Please note that due to music copyright restrictions, some videos may not play on certain devices such as phones, and some videos were unable to be shared on youtube at all).

Do you want to perform in the 2017 summer festival?
Join us as we take you step by step through the process of how to apply for the summer festival events. We’ll discuss the upcoming calls to artists to participate as performers, workshop facilitators and flash mob choreographers. The tips we’ll share can be used in any festival or grant application, so come out and learn how to share your artistic works with the world!

When: Saturday March 25, 3-5pm
Where: London Fringe Playground, 207 King Street
Cost: FREE!

2017 London Dance Festival
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Calling All Dance Artists!

The London Dance Festival is inviting all dance artists, whether amateur, emerging or established to participate and perform in the 2017 festival. The festival will take place in various locations in downtown London from June 30 to July 2. Learn more about the festival at londondancefestival.ca

This year the London Dance Festival is seeking a variety of submissions from performers, choreographers and workshop facilitators.  Preference is given to London and area artists, but we welcome submissions from across Canada.  Movement and music content must be appropriate for a family audience.

2017 Summer Submission Opportunities (see details on next page):

• Community Showcase Performers: Ivey Park, Friday June 30
• Community Day Workshop Facilitators: Ivey Park, Friday June 30
• Canada Day Multicultural Performers: Harris Park, Saturday July 1
• Emerging Artist Performers: Wolf Performance Hall: Sunday July 2
• Spotlight Series Performers: Various festival locations, June 30 to July 2

Apply Now!
Artists may apply for all opportunities for which they are eligible. Applicants must submit a separate application form for EACH opportunity. To apply for any of the opportunities below, send us the following by Monday May 1st, 2017.

1. Completed 2017 LDF Summer Application Form.
2. Applicant biography and performance history (max 300 words).
3. Description of proposed dance piece or workshop (max 200 words).
4. Two to five high resolution photos of the work, company, choreographer and/or teacher, to be used for promotion of festival events (will only be used if selected).
5. Web link to performance or rehearsal footage for performers/choreographers, or teaching footage for workshop facilitators. (Please ensure web links are active and working). If video of the proposed piece is not available then similar work should be submitted.
6. Send submissions to londondancefestival@gmail.com.

Join us in celebrating the diverse talents of London’s dance community! The Spring Showcase will present dance works created and performed by London artists in a variety of styles. See choreography in contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, salsa, bharata natyam (Indian classical dance) and more on the stage of the Wolf Performance Hall.

Featuring: Breath in Mvmt, Emily Spearing, EnPointe Development Inc, London Salsa Dance Company, O.N.E. Hip Hop, O’Neill Academy of Dance, Sound in Motion, Vidya Natarajan and Studio 646, Young Company of the North London Dance Centre.

March 10th, 2017
From 7-9pm at Wolf Performance Hall
251 Dundas St, London, ON
Tickets: $15 before / $20 at the door
Purchase tickets at www.onstagedirect.com/ldndancefest

 

 

Live streaming of Dance Ontario DanceWeekend 2017
January 22, 2017  Doors open at 12:30pm  Performances from 1-5pm
London Fringe Playground, 207 King Street
Admission $5, All ages welcome

Dance Ontario DanceWeekend takes places every year in Toronto and features an incredible line-up of dance artists in short performances over three days. This year the London Dance Festival is pleased to host a live streaming of the Sunday performances. See 9 companies including London native Ryan Lee, who will present the world premiere of his new work “Less.” Everyone is welcome to join us for this exciting viewing for only $5. In and out privileges apply.

Performance Schedule: Sunday January 22
1:00     Jade’s Hip Hop Academy Performance Co
1:30     Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
2:05     Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
2:35     Little Pear Garden Dance Company
3:05     Alyssa Martin   commission
3:20     Ryan Lee      commission    
3:45     Arabesque                                                                                               4:20     Motus O          
4:50     Gadfly               

WORLD PREMIERE COMMISSIONS

Less
Ryan Lee

Less is a contemporary dance work for three male dancers exploring masculinity, insecurity and expectations, along with personal, family and societal ideals of what it means to be a man with the intent of encouraging a wider conversation on exclusion, bullying and discrimination.

Dolphin
Alyssa Martin, Rock Bottom Movement

Dolphin examines the demise of spirituality through a blend of contemporary dance and physical comedy. Drawing inspiration from late 1990s & early 2000s nostalgia, iconic pop music artists and their performances, slapstick comedy and kitsch art, Dolphin will call into question ideas of persona, exaggerated borrowed identity and the tendency of the current generation to cheapen spirituality to cater to the needs of the social media model, serving their own personal 15 seconds of fame.

Learn more about Dance Ontario
https://www.danceontario.ca/activity-detail/dance-ontario-dance-weekend

Dance Ontario is a key component of the province’s dance sector and a focal point for its communications, networking and capacity-building resources. Dance Ontario has had a significant impact on the art form, artists, audiences and communities, spanning the provincial dance sector through a membership that includes internationally-renowned companies, emerging collectives, teachers, choreographers, dancers, costumers, lighting designers, venues, photographers and videographers.

 

Learn more about Dance Weekend 2017
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps/danceweekend17/

An explosion of dance that showcases raw talent and contemporary innovation as well as the beauty and diversity of traditional styles. Join us for three days showcasing 25 of Toronto’s most stunning dance companies, plus two exciting world premieres from Ryan Lee and Alyssa Martin. It’s a weekend to inspire any dance fan.

2017 SPRING SHOWCASE
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Calling All Local Dance Artists!

The London Dance Festival is inviting all London dance artists, whether amateur, emerging or established to participate and perform in the Spring Showcase. It will be held at the Wolf Performance Hall with professional lighting and stage management, and performers will be awarded and honorarium for their presentation. The event will take place on March 10th. Learn more about the festival at londondancefestival.ca

2017 Submission Opportunities
This year the London Dance Festival is seeking a variety of submissions for the Spring Showcase.

We are looking for dances of approximately 2 to 5 minutes, in any style. Music and movement content must be appropriate for a family audience. All groups will be paid the same honorarium. Ages 14 and up are welcome to apply. From all submissions, we will select approximately 15 pieces. This will be a ticketed event.

To apply, send us the following by January 27th, 2017 (extended from Jan 20):

1. Completed LONDON DANCE FESTIVAL 2017 Application form (see link below)
2. Applicant biography and performance history (max 1 paragraph)
3. Description of proposed dance piece (max 200 words)
4. Web link to performance or rehearsal footage (please ensure web links are active and working). If video of the proposed piece is not available similar work should be submitted.

 

Send applications to londondancefestival@gmail.com

Download the forms:

Call for Submissions Spring Showcase 2017.docx

Call for Submissions Spring Showcase 2017.pdf

General Manager job information 

London Dance Festival seeks General Manager
Application Deadline: January 31, 2017
To Apply: Send resumé and cover letter to londondancefestival@gmail.com
Salary: $14-17/hour (based on experience)

The London Dance Festival (LDF) is seeking a General Manager to work alongside the Executive Director and Board of Directors in organizing and promoting the 2017 festival. Main duties will include Marketing, Communications, and Community Outreach.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a proven ability to multi-task and work independently with minimal supervision. Applicants must possess excellent communication skills by phone, in writing, and in person. As a young arts organization creating new opportunities for artists in London, LDF requires a manager who is organized and flexible and seeks creative solutions to problems. This job is well suited for an individual who takes initiative and pays great attention to detail. Candidates must have experience in administration and marketing as well as be proficient in web-based research, word processing, spreadsheets, and social media platforms. A working knowledge of the London dance and arts community, and experience in event coordination are assets.

Applicants MUST be available for all festival events June 30-July 2, 2017. The job requires a commitment of 8-15 hours per week for 20 weeks from February to mid-July. Weekly scheduling is flexible, and the workload will be heavier as we approach the summer festival.

Duties Include

-Communicate with venues, community partners, audiences and artists

-Design and implement print and digital marketing campaign (including basic graphic design)

-Create strategies to increase awareness of festival events and opportunities for artists

-Manage event participant registrations, volunteer scheduling, and equipment rentals

-Schedule meetings and prepare documents

-Update and maintain contact lists and databases

 

Elizabeth “Bizz” Varty is a dance artist, educator and administrator. She earned a BFA in Dance at York University and a post‐graduate certificate in Arts Administration & Cultural Management from Humber College. She co-created the Flux London Dance Festival in 2013 and served as Executive Director during its three year run. She has worked with several major dance schools and organizations including Ontario School of Ballet, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, and the Dance Teachers Alliance of Canada. Her choreography has been presented in venues across the province, including Peterborough’s emergency festival and Toronto’s Bazaar dance festival. Elizabeth has shared her love of dance with thousands by developing programs and infrastructure that deliver high‐quality dance instruction to students of all ages and experience levels. Since 2013 she has delivered hundreds of hours of dance education in local elementary schools through the London Artist In Residence Program. She recently developed new programs to teach science and history through creative movement at the London Children’s Museum.

The London Dance Festival is a three day community festival where dancers gather to expose local audiences to original and innovative dance pieces. From June 30 to July 2, 2017, talented local dance artists will engage audiences with performances in multiple styles and venues throughout the city. The festival aims to inspire and support youth, emerging and established artists and provide professional performance and skill development opportunities. Throughout the year, LDF connects with audiences with workshops and community activities.