Discussion
Curating With Values
Jul 3, 2026 | 12:30PM
Critical Distance Centre for Curators + Online
CURATOR
Guest Curator Model
Curating with values: Dancemakers Annual Symposium is our second annual symposium exploring the craft, practice and plurality of dance curation.
This year’s theme “Curating with Values” explores the ideological force behind curatorial decision making, asking both panellists and participants “what would it be like to curate using your values as a guide?”
Join us in person or online for two panels, a workshop, a reading circle, and a party as we celebrate going into our 4th year of Dancemakers’ Guest Curator Model.
Thursday July 2
7:00-10:00 | Opening Night Party at Cinecycle (In person only) music by Bibz and beers by our friends at Burdock Brewery!
Friday July 3
12:30-2:30 | Curating with Values (Across Disciplines) with Scott Miller-Berry, Sanjeet Takhar, Reza Nik, Sofi Gudiño & Johnny Forever Nawracaj
3:00-5:00 | Adventures in Curation with Independent Dance Curators Holly Chang, Kwasi Obeng Adeji, Purawai Yvas & Maxine Heppner
5:00-6:00 | Call for Curators Info Session with Co-Artistic Producers Christina de la Cruz and Cara Spooner (free of charge – show up in person or email artistic@dancemakers.org to participate virtually)
Saturday July 4
12:30-2:30 | Conflict in Curation Workshop with Pam Tzeng
2:45-4:30 | Curator’s reading group hosted by Shani K. Parsons & Christina de la Cruz – reading materials available here
cUraTorS & ArtiSts
Bibin “Bibz” George
Bibz is a dancer-first DJ whose sound is deeply rooted in movement, groove, and connection.
Scott Miller Berry
Scott Miller Berry is a filmmaker and cultural worker who has worked in the arts in Toronto since 2001.
Sofí Gudiño
Sofi Gudiño is a dance artist, drag king and community organizer based in Toronto.
Johnny Forever Nawracaj
Johnny Forever Nawracaj is a non-binary Polish-born performance and media artist.
Sanjeet Takhar
Sanjeet Takhar is a music curator, event producer and dj based in Toronto.
Reza Nik
Reza Nik is the founding director of SHEEEP – a licensed architect, artist and educator based in Toronto, Canada.
Holly Chang
Holly Chang is a Toronto based artist, curator, and researcher. Her practice is focused on topics of hybridity, craft, and ecology.
Kwasi Obeng-Adjei
Kwasi Obeng-Adjei is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist, emerging choreographer, and dance educator based in Brampton, Ontario.
Maxine Heppner
Curator Maxine Heppner is a dance & inter-medial artist & educator known for her dedication to collaboration and community building since the 1970’s.
Purawai Vyas
Purawai Vyas is a Canadian dance artist based in Toronto, with a practice rooted in over two decades of Bharatanatyam training under Guru Lata Pada at Sampradaya Dance Academy.
Pam Tzeng
Pam Tzeng 曾小桐 (she/they) is a second-generation Taiwanese-Canadian choreographer, performer, arts worker.
Shani K. Parsons
Shani Khoo Parsons (she/her) is an independent curator, designer, mother, and founding director of Critical Distance Centre for Curators.
Christina de la Cruz
Christina de la Cruz is a Hip Hop dancer, artistic producer, curator of dance and performance and waitress.
Cara Spooner
Cara Spooner is a choreographer, caregiver and caretaker as well as one of the Co-Artistic Producers at Dancemakers.
acCessibilIty
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Critical Distance (and all of 401 Richmond) is wheelchair accessible.
CineCycle is almost a fully wheelchair accessible space. The laneway entrance beside 129 Spadina has two steps and no automatic doors (but does have a ramp we can put out)! The rear entrance has no steps, but the path is uneven. Inside, the space (including gender-neutral washrooms) is all on one level. If you have any specific access needs, please get in touch.
Will the event be ASL Interpreted?
All live events will offer ASL interpretation (upon request). Please contact us to request ASL Interpretation.
Will the event be described for Blind and low vision audiences?
If you require audio description, please get in touch.
otheR eveNts
10 Interviews
Mairéad Filgate interviewed 10 dancers from the early years of Dancemakers.
Nov 14, 1974 - Nov 14, 1974
Vancouver Coffee Hour
Join Christina and Lamont in Vancouver to talk about Dance Curators at Dancemakers, hosted by CoFigure
The Dance Centre
Jan 27, 2026 - Jan 27, 2026
Cripping the Past
Curated by Pushmakers in 2025 and supported by Dancemakers' Curators in Community Fund
Village at Black Creek Wedding Pavillion
Sep 27, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025

