To celebrate this milestone, KDT would like to say nia:wen kowa (thank you) to the community for the 10 years of support. Doors open at 1:30, entrance is by donation (suggested $10 each)with proceeds funding an Indigenous student’s attendance at KDT’s Summer Intensive 2016 in Toronto and Six Nations.
Since 2005, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre has been dedicated to the creation, production and sharing of performance and culture. Led by founding Artistic Director Santee Smith, her choreographic works include: Kaha:wi, Here On Earth, A Constellations of Bones, The Threshing Floor (co-choreography Michael Greyeyes), A Story Before Time (co-production The Banff Centre), A Soldier’s Tale (produced with Theatre Aquarius, directed by Max Reimer), TransMigration (co-production Planet IndigenUS), The Creator’s Game, Susurikwa – willow bridge (co-production Planet IndigenUS, Yokohama Noh Theatre), The Honouring, NeoIndigenA among others. In 2012, Santee Smith received the Dora Mavor Moore award for Outstanding Choreography in the Dance. KDT has garnered national and international acclaim with performances in Canada, US, Japan, Mexico, Australia, among others. A leader in Indigenous performance, KDT has successfully programmed, Living Ritual World Indigenous Dance Festival (2006), one-of-a-kind month long training program KDT Summer Intensive since 2009. For 10 years KDTis thankful to have collaborated with numerous artists from dancers, instructors, actors, designers and musicians from around the world.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, KDT will be sharing a performance of The Honouring. Currently on tour, the company performs the inter-disciplinary work honouring the First Nations warriors of the War of 1812 and features Onkwehon:we families who sacrificed to protect Indigenous sovereignty, culture and land. The Honouring was commissioned by the City of Toronto, Museum Services as part of the Indigenous Arts Festival at Fort York in 2013 with creation support from the Woodland Cultural Centre Creation Residency and Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council.
Event audiences the opportunity to understand the complexity of the War of 1812 through the experiential lens of First Nations, offering a human face to our history. The Honouring cast includes: Emily Law, Jesse Dell, Montana Summers, Joshua DePerry, Alex Twin, Nimkii Osawamick and Santee Smith.
Special guest performances by Six Nation artists include Cheri Maracle (event MC and Singer) and Logan Staats (Singer) with other surprises in store. The feast is provided by Family Traditions Catering and a celebratory cake designed by Heavenly Sweets. KDT will also offer a Silent Auction with Talking Earth Pottery, with many other surprises in store to say nia:wen for the continuous support. Kaha:wi Dance Theatre would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors; Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, Six Nations Polytechnic, Woodland Cultural Centre and Grand River Employment and Training.
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre the public who cannot attend the event to support the company’s endeavors by making donation – bit.ly/1QbkmyN or send a 10 second congratulations video to [email protected]