Image Description: Ange Loft putting sticky notes on a circular calendar. Photo by Gillian Mapp

Cycles… Towards A Calendar of Seasonal Offerings

Ange Loft leads a cyclical research process through natural time, annual rhythms and Kanien'kehá:ka cycle of ceremonies to (re)consider how we organize our dance ecologies and yearly production activities. Can Dancemakers work with the existing energies of the land they work on and the people they work with? How, where, and what can Dancemakers offer that would honour these existing annual cycles? This is an arts-based research process led by Ange, involving gentle guided movement and gestural annotation to build personal, cultural and professional connections to Dance in Toronto. 

We invite all who want to share their own annual dance cycles, including artists, collaborators, leaders, partners and audiences from diverse dance communities. What annual activity do we all need to be aware of in your dance world? By investigating our own rhythms, ceremonies and dance desires, where do we see our relationship to Dancemakers, yearly? Do you have suggestions for Dancemakers to show Reciprocity? What do you want Dancemakers to Offer that would work with your cycle?

We also invite those interested in viewing the collection of responses, to gain a partial and growing vision of Toronto’s multiple dance communities. 

Two 3-hour research workshops held over 2 days (hybrid in person and zoom link) 

If you have access needs, please be in touch and we would be glad to see what’s possible together. 

Mon July 3: 10am-1pm 

• An introduction to the Kanien'kehá:ka annual cycle of ceremonies

• Gestural drawing and guided movement reflections with group share back.  

• Summary of existing research from previous sessions exploration including outcomes of Ange’s multi arts based research process activations; Seasonal Shifts, Annual Priorities, Annual Rhythms, More Knowledges, Annual Reciprocity.  

• Gestural drawing and guided movement activity Annual Rhythms reflection on individual cycles.

  Thurs July 6: 10am-1pm

• Summary of July 3 findings. 

• Gathering of suggestions for Dancemakers Annual Reciprocity.  

• Discussion and Sticky Note gathering, Imagined Annual Engagement, reflecting through around the cycle, when do the guest artists, partners, leaders and people from the communities that Dancemakers, engage with Dancemakers. 

• Gestural drawing and guided movement reflections with group share back of Imagined Annual Engagement findings.  

• Closing and reflections. 

  In person (and online) at the Citadel - 304 Parliament St in Toronto

  Air purifiers will be in use. Masks are very welcome. If possible, rapid testing at home is appreciated.