24 days left until DanceWeekend! We continue our countdown with Artists in Motion who will be performing Sunday July 17 at 2pm at the Fleck Dance Theatre.
IG: @aimtoronto
TW: @aimtoronto
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself/your company?
Artists in Motion is a multidisciplinary dance company established in 2008 by Shameka Blake. AIM consists of a myriad of gifted professional dancers who are dedicated to elevating the art of the urban dance scene to new heights.
Shameka is a committed choreographer with over 10 years of experience. Founder of award-winning dance company Artists in Motion, an elite company of gifted professional dancers dedicated to elevating the urban dance scene. Also she is the Curator of 1234 DanceArts festival, an event that encourages collaboration, break down barriers between artistic genres and create an inclusive performance space for marginalized individuals across the GTA. Producer and choreographer of six full-length original productions. Recipient of the 2015 Black Canadian Award for Best Urban Dance Act
What will you be sharing at DanceWeekend’22?
I will be sharing an excerpt from my production Ashes. Ashes aim is to remember the fullness of Black people by reconnecting the dots and fragmented pieces of our his-and-herstory. The production retells stories from our ancestors that invite audiences to better understand the delicate spaces between slavery and freedom, and the narratives accompanied that implore the soul even deeper into waters they may have never tread.
How has the pandemic shifted your work as a professional dance artist?
My work has shifted to become more self focused. Also, I am more aware of the spaces I choose to exists within. As a dance artist/Choreographer I have been focusing on works that celebrate my culture and unite likeminded individuals. I am choosing to only exist in spaces that honours and celebrates me as a Black woman
Please share what you are most looking forward to at Dance Ontario’s return to live performances at DanceWeekend?
Connecting with people.
Do you have any up-coming performances/workshops/events you would like to share?
Let The Elephants Dance- A nonprofit organization dedicated to the importance of mental health awareness. June 15th and 17th (Virtual Event)
1234 DanceArts Festival 5th Edition- An event curated by Shameka Blake to connect established and emerging artists, break down barriers between artistic genres and create an inclusive performance space for marginalized individuals. July 10th at 918 Bathurst St.
Yensa Festival- Celebrating Black Women In Dance. Friday August 26th Daniels Spectrum.
In 1 or 2 sentences, what does dance mean to you?
Multi dimensional. It is a asynchronous dialogue between souls.
Photos by Erica Cheah