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
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
12:30-2:00 | Conflict in Curation Workshop with Pam Tzeng
2:30-4:30 | Curator’s reading group hosted by Shani K. Parsons & Christina de la Cruz (access readings 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.
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.
In partnership with
Interested in learning more about Dance Curation?
Hosted by CoFigure at the Dance Centre
677 Davie Street, 7th Floor
No RSVP needed, just show up!
Dancemakers Co-Artistic Producer Christina will be in Vancouver for their Industry week. Alongside past Dancemakers Guest Curator Lamont, they will host an informal coffee hour to meet Vancouver artists and audiences, answer any questions about dance curation and learn more about local Vancouver artistic practice. Snacks and hot beverages will be available.
Come hang out with us and chat about dance curation!
We are grateful to CoFigure Arts Residency for hosting us in their space at the Dance Centre
Artists
Lamont
Lamont is an emerging contemporary mover and creator.
Christina de la Cruz
Christina de la Cruz is a Hip Hop dancer, artistic producer, curator of dance and performance and waitress.
Ralph Escamillan
Ralph Escamillan is a queer, Canadian-Filipinx performance artist, teacher and community leader based on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh Nations – on so called Vancouver, BC.
acCessibilIty
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes! We prioritize accessibility at all events.
Will the event be ASL Interpreted?
Please contact us to request ASL Interpretation.
Will the event be described for Blind and low vision audiences?
This performance does not include audio description.
In partnership with
Beyond lip service to diversity and outreach, what does a liberatory Dancemakers look like and how does it function?
How can a dance institution’s year-to-year activities be actively situated in the calendars of diverse communities? How can a dance institution be artistically empowering, equitable and safe(r) for BIPOC and working class artists? What are the structural changes that Dancemakers is putting into place to work more equitably with independent practitioners and diverse dance artists? What kinds of tools and understandings do we need to cultivate to navigate relationships in professional practice with more ease?
Helen Yung of the Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence introduces the artist-researchers that have been in-residence with Dancemakers and in dialogue with Dancemaker’s guest curators. An overview of the research and recommendations will be shared for reflection and discussion. This will also be a chance to celebrate the season’s ending with guest curators, artist-researchers and Artist Producer Cara Spooner.
Inspiration for this includes:
Artists
acCessibilIty
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible including ramps into the building, elevators and wheelchair accessible washrooms.
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?
This performance does not include audio description.
A conversation about dance, access and archiving performance.
Arts Assembly and Dancemakers have partnered to host a conversation on dance access, in particular for the blind / low vision community. Arts Assembly’s recent series two part series The Longest Way Round is the Shortest Way Home will be explored through this conversation, emphasizing the process and possibilities of programming and supporting inclusive dance, performance and visual art practices.
This talk is the launch of Arts Assembly’s archive recordings of The Longest Way Round is the Shortest Way Home which was intentionally designed with dance descriptions by Andrea Cownden in consultation with Amy Amantea.
Inspiration for this work includes:
Artists
Arts Assembly
Arts Assembly is a not-for-profit, community-centric arts organization that emphasizes artistic collaboration.
Amy Amantea
Amy Amantea (she/her) is a white settler on the stolen lands of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-waututh first peoples.
Harmanie Rose
Harmanie Rose is a disabled dance artist living and working on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Jose Migeul (Miggy) Esteban
Jose Miguel (Miggy) Esteban is a dance/movement artist and educator based in Tkaronto/Toronto.
Sophie Corriveau
Sophie Corriveau has worked in the field of dance as a performer, choreographer, teacher, rehearsal director and artistic consultant.
A panel discussion exploring the craft, practice and plurality of dance curation.
Curation, a field long associated with the visual arts, is becoming increasingly common in the field of performance and live arts. As Dancemakers continues its mission to incubate dance curators at every step in their career, we offer an opportunity to learn what the practice of curating can offer dance through the eyes of these bright and adventurous curators.
We think this panel would be great for:
- Dance artists who are curious about innovating the way dance is presented
- Folks interested in showing dance outside of traditional environments
- Curious thinkers with a desire to be in residence to explore dance related questions
- Choreographers practicing forms that have not been traditionally shown in “black box theatres”
- Artists considering applying to the Dancemakers Guest Curator call for the first time!
Artists
Nithya Garg
Nithya Garg is an artist, curator, and producer who has trained in the south asian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam.
Ralph Escamillan
Ralph Escamillan is a queer, Canadian-Filipinx performance artist, teacher and community leader based on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh Nations – on so called Vancouver, BC.
Jaleesa Coligny
Jaleesa “Tealeaf” Coligny has trained diligently in street dance: 15 years in hip hop and 3 years in krump under the mentorship of several pioneers and community leaders in Montréal and New York.
Christina Paquette
Christina has been charting her place in the street dance community for the past ten years.
acCessibilIty
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible including ramps into the building, elevators and wheelchair accessible washrooms.
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?
Audio description will be available upon request.
An annual symposium exploring the craft, practice and plurality of dance curation.
Thursday July 17 2025:
11:00 – Arrival
11:30-1:00 – Curation Under the Surface (with Celia Green & Rumi Jeraj)
1:00-1:30 – Break
1:30-3:00 – Curating in Unconventional Spaces (with Shani K. Parsons & Abel Hagos)
3:00-3:30 – Break
3:30-5:00 – Research as Curatorial Method (with Christina de la Cruz & Sanjukta Banarjee)
5:30-7:00 – Call for Curators Q&A and Info Sessions
Friday July 18 2025
11:00 – Arrival
11:30-1:00 – A Decade Since ACAQ (with Dena Devida)
1:00-1:30 – Break
1:30-3:00 – Collaborative Dance Curation (with Nomadic Curatorial Collective & Parks N Wreck)
3:00-3:30 – Break
3:30-5:00 – Access in Dance Curation (with Arts Assembly & Shay Erlich)
5:30-7:00 – Cinq a Sept hosted by members of the CDA-DanceWorks IBPOC Artist-Curators Inaugural Cohort
Inspiration for this event includes:
Artists
Celia Green
Celia Green’s practice spans choreography, curation, performance, and more. They are interested in gender, bodily sensation, mess, and pursuing freedom.
Rumi Jeraj
Rumi Jeraj is an Ismailli muslim hailing from Sherwood Park Alberta.
Shani K. Parsons
Shani Khoo Parsons (she/her) is an independent curator, designer, mother, and founding director of Critical Distance Centre for Curators.
Abel Hagos
As a Street Dance artist and community advocate, my work is rooted in the belief that dance is a powerful tool for expression, storytelling, and cultural preservation.
Christina de la Cruz
Christina de la Cruz is a Hip Hop dancer, artistic producer, curator of dance and performance and waitress.
Sanjukta Banerjee
Dr. Sanjukta Banerjee is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kathakali dance artist.
Dena Davida
Contemporary dance curator, anthropologist, educator, artist; also co-founder and managing editor of the TURBA Journal.
Cara Spooner
Cara Spooner is a choreographer, caregiver and caretaker as well as one of the Co-Artistic Producers at Dancemakers.
Erin McCurdy
Erin Joelle McCurdy is a writer, maker, and curator based in Toronto.
Emily Law
Emily Law is an artist, choreographer, producer, lifelong student, and mother.
Sarah Tumaliuan
Associate Curator, Public Programs and Learning at Museum of Toronto, co-producer of Parks N’Wreck and Dance artist with Mix Mix Dance and Holla Jazz.
Arts Assembly
Arts Assembly is a not-for-profit, community-centric arts organization that emphasizes artistic collaboration.
Shay Erlich
Shay Erlich (they/them) is a disability justice world builder living in Tkaronto.
Ibpoc Curators
The Canadian Dance Assembly, in partnership with DanceWorks, hosted a project that invited 10 Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Person of Colour Artist-Curators in dance to gather in Toronto between May 12-17th, 2025.
acCessibilIty
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible including ramps into the building, elevators and wheelchair accessible washrooms.
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?
Audio description will be available upon request.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Why aren’t there training facilities for manual wheelchair dancers in Canda?
Shay Erlich researched and considered how to best support manual wheelchair dancers across Canada and shared their findings in a virtual town hall.
Inspiration for this includes:
Artists
Discuss Tagore in Dufferin Grove Park
Sanjukta hosted a conversation in Dufferin Grove about Tagore’s poetic composition. The event was attended by fans of Tagore’s work as well as practitioners and spectators of South Asian dance theatre. Lively participation tapered into socializing and enjoying snacks and coconut water!
Artists
acCessibilIty
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the discussion takes place in a park with paved paths.
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?
This performance does not include audio description.