Dancers of Damelahamid is proud to announce the 12th annual Coastal Dance Festival (formerly Coastal First Nations Dance Festival), a celebration of Indigenous stories, song, and dance from Canada and abroad, February 20–24, 2019, in the state-of-the-art Anvil Centre in New Westminster. Audiences will be treated to a dynamic selection of Northwest Coast and international Indigenous artistry through ancestral and innovative performances, and educational offerings. Highlights include the world premiere of an excerpt of Dancers of Damelahamid’s Mînowin, a new commission from the National Arts Centre’s inaugural National Creation Fund, Australia’s Jo Clancy and the Wagana Aboriginal Dancers, and Montreal’s Émilie Monnet and Nahka Bertrand.
The Coastal Dance Festival welcomes Indigenous artists from British Columbia, the Yukon, Quebec, Alaska, Washington state, and Australia. New and not-to-be-missed performances this year include: the festival debut of Montreal-based singer Émilie Monnet and Nahka Bertrand, whose work draws on the symbolism of dreams and mythologies to tell stories that address today’s world; the Wagana Aboriginal Dancers of Australia’s Blue Mountains and Central New South Wales west country, led by Jo Clancy; and Dancers of Damelahamid performing an excerpt in full regalia from their new work Mînowin, which integrates narrative, movement, song, performance, and new multimedia design to connect landscapes and Coastal form line with contemporary perspectives of customary Indigenous dance forms.
Other highlights include Montreal-based dancer and choreographer Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo, who will share a tribute to Mohawk iron-workers; perennial festival favourite and Squamish-based dance company Spakwus Slolem will perform songs and dances representative of their canoe culture; and the return of Flying Gwitch’in Fiddler Boyd Benjamin and singer-songwriter Kevin Barr.
The 2019 Coastal Dance Festival comprises three primary components:
Signature Evening Performances — Ticketed gala events featuring headline performances from Dancers of Damelahamid and special guest artists.
Festival Stage Performances — Showcase presentations from visiting performers. The Festival Stage Performances take place on weekend afternoons and are offered by donation.
School Group Performances — Weekday sessions introducing K-12 students to the rich history and traditions of First Nations dance, performance, and storytelling.
The 2019 Festival hosts a range of returning audience favourites and first-time festival performers. For program details, visit: damelahamid.ca
Dancers of Damelahamid + Anvil Centre present 12th Annual Coastal Dance Festival
Dates: February 20–24, 2019
Ticket Prices:
School Group Performances
February 20, 10am + 12:30pm
February 22, 12:30pm
Pre-booking required, call 604-521-5050
Signature Evening Performances
February 22 + 23, 7:30–9:30pm
Tickets: $30 for Adults; $25 for Students/Seniors
Festival Stage Performances
February 23 + 24, 1–4pm
By Donation
Address: Anvil Centre 777 Columbia Street New Westminster, BC V3M 16B
Box Office: anvilcentre.com
Website: damelahamid.ca
Image by Chris Randle
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