Sending Svāhā into the future with offerings for the world...
International Dance Day message
Thanks to so many of you who responded to our International Dance Day message. We are inspired and heartened by your words and are sharing some from frontline workers in the Nova Dance extended family
"Medicine has always been a balance between art and science; the science of disease and healing along with the art of how to best form a relationship with your patients and families. COVID-19 has limited science - in the ICU nothing we do works and almost everyone dies. Essentially, everyone is the same. Yet, how you approach each family with this and guide them is very different. Being married to an artist I have seen first hand how art at its core is all about connection. Connection with your audience, with your fellow dancers, and with yourself. As I enter the ICU every day I am reminded of the emotions I first felt at watching Neena dance and how I can hope to form my own new connections under the worst of times."
Dr. Alex Patel MD FRCPC
Department of Critical Care Medicine
Associate Professor
William Osler Health Sciences
"Everyday as I leave my house I leave in fear and uncertainty, whether or not I will be coming home carrying the corona virus. Being redeployed to another healthcare department and working with an entirely different patient population and expected to learn new skills during this pandemic period has been challenging and stressful. The only thing that keeps me going and eases my mental state is dance. It is times like this where I feel even more gifted to be a dancer. Going down into my basement to dance after a long day at work are the highlight of my days. Dance enlightens my soul, allows me to let go of my thoughts and worries and stay positive."
Nivedha Ramalingham
University Health Network, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
"We need art now more than ever. Try not to watch news more than once a day.
We stay out at work for you. Please stay at home for us. Stay Home, stay safe, but stay active.
Keep practicing your art as much as you can, so that you stay fit physically and mentally. At the end of this crisis, when we will have time to rest, we will reach out to you to experience what you have to offer through your art!"
Professor Dr. Shahana Akhter Rahman
Department of Pediatrics
BSM Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(Arno's mom)
Svāhā update
Originally, on Saturday May 30th, 18 dancers would have been sharing the first staged glimpse of Svāhā with you at Meridian Arts Centre. Then, on October 18th, 75 dancers and musicians would have been sharing Svāhā with you and 3,000 people at Meridian Hall in Toronto.
Originally, on Saturday May 30th, 18 dancers would have been sharing the first staged glimpse of Svāhā with you at Meridian Arts Centre. Then, on October 18th, 75 dancers and musicians would have been sharing Svāhā with you and 3,000 people at Meridian Hall in Toronto.
Inevitably, in light of COVID-19 these plans have changed. Our partners remain fully committed to the project (please click here for the full announcement) and we and TO Live will share a new presentation date in due course. Also in the works is the future western premiere of this work in Vancouver with DanceHouse, Indian Summer Festival and SFU Woodward's Cultural Programs.
In the meantime, in consultation with the dancers we decided to experiment in the context of our world today. We brought our creation process into the intimacy of our homes. We surrendered to the fact that a work inspired by the act of gathering would be transformed as we all live through a global pandemic. We've put together a little collage to give you glimpse of what was destined for the stage, and what we worked on together but apart.
Join us, as we send Svāhā into the future
Dancers from Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver will perform a namaskaram and make an offering to Mother Earth at 7:30 local time.
At 7:30 PM on Saturday May 30th
We invite you all, from your homes, to hold space in your heart for a time when we can experience the transformative power of dance together. Throw some flowers in the air, light a candle, bang pots and pans with your neighbours, connect with the earth, laugh or cry.
#svahafuture #reimagineritual