Lee lifeson Park, North York
2026-27 Season
Deepening Intercultural Connections:
A New Chapter for Common Ground Dance Festival
After five years of uplifting diverse artistic practices and movement styles through annual events, Common Ground Dance Festival is transforming its presentation model to deepen our intercultural mission. With a continued focus on free community engagement in public spaces, we’re focusing on education, co-creation, and artistic research activities in 2026 that will energize us towards a celebratory performance-focused festival in 2027; all in collaboration with Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance and North York Arts.
This year we’re asking: How do we build a truly intercultural festival that is unique to our Willowdale neighbourhood, responsive to the land, and globally resonant?
The heart of our 2026 programming includes four Common Ground Dance Days at our beloved Lee Lifeson Art Park. More intimate and learning-oriented than our previous festivals, these events offer fun and family-friendly opportunities to experience dance and cultural exchange!
Also this year, we're launching a Creative Communities Consultation to help plan our 2027 festival, supporting artistic exchange and creation through multiple Intercultural Collaboration Residencies, and piloting our first-ever Creative Access Residency with The Disability Collective!
Common Ground Dance Days
Common Ground Dance Days (CGDD) is a series of free, outdoor, intercultural, and participatory events that celebrate movement and community! Co-presented by TOES FOR DANCE, Flight Festival, and North York Arts, the program includes welcoming Beginner Level Dance Classes in a variety of styles, Bimaadiziwin Learning Walks that share and uplift Indigenous knowledge, insightful Artist Talks, as well as creatively-vibrant Intercultural Performances featuring evocative dances and compelling works-in-process by professional and student artists.
Through our offerings this year, you will be able to witness and experience Indigenous movement traditions, Bollywood, Kathak, Contemporary, Bharatanatyam, Iranian dance, Classical Han dance, and more. All events are free and unticketed, although attendees are encouraged to RSVP for a chance to win prizes and receive weather-related updates directly in their inbox.
September 11-12, 2026 (rain date: Sept 13) / Mandarin translation available*
September 25-26, 2026 (rain date: Sept 27) / Farsi translation available**
Lee Lifeson Art Park, North York
*Mandarin translation will be available for a class on Sept 11 and the performance on Sept 12.
**Farsi translation will be available for a class on Sept 25 and the performance on Sept 26.
Rajvi Dedhia and Raha Yghb. Photo by Shannon Widdis
events at a glance
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Dance the Bollywood Way with Rajvi Dedhia
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Classical Han Dance (古典舞) with Jasmine Huang, instruction provided in English and Mandarin 中文联合主持
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Rhythms of the Heart with Montana Summers
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Step into Kathak with Sukriti Sharma
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Artist Talk with Montana Summers and Sukriti Sharma
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Bimaadiziwin Learning Walk with Charlene Grandmaison and Gorge Michael
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Intercultural Performances featuring Montana Summers, Sukriti Sharma, and students from TFD’s Fresh Dance Intensive program; co-hosted in English and Mandarin
中文联合主持
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Persian Dance From North to South with Raha Dance, instruction provided in English and Farsi
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Joy and Play through Contemporary Dance with Chantelle Good
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Afro-Diasporic Rhythms with Collette 'Coco' Murray
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Beginner Dance Class: Colombian Blend with Olga Barrios
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Artist Talk with Collette 'Coco' Murray and Olga Barrios
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Bimaadiziwin Learning Walk with Charlene Grandmaison and Gorge Michael
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Intercultural Performances featuring Collette 'Coco' Murray, Olga Barrios, and Prabhāvalī Arts; co-hosted in English and Farsi
Beginner DANCE CLASSES
Dance the Bollywood Way with Rajjvi Dedhia.
Photo by Mirna Chacin
Friday, September 11, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Step into the vibrant world of Bollywood dance in this high-energy outdoor workshop that celebrates movement, music, and community. Set to popular Bollywood music, this engaging session invites participants to explore the expressive storytelling and infectious rhythms that make Bollywood dance so joyful and accessible. Open to all ages and abilities, this workshop is an invitation to connect through dance, and experience the power of movement to bring people together. No previous dance experience is required—just wear comfortable clothing, bring your enthusiasm, and get ready to dance!
Dance the Bollywood Way with Rajvi Dedhia
-
Step into the vibrant world of Bollywood dance in this high-energy outdoor workshop that celebrates movement, music, and community. Set to popular Bollywood music, this engaging session invites participants to explore the expressive storytelling and infectious rhythms that make Bollywood dance so joyful and accessible.
The workshop begins with a dynamic warm-up before introducing easy-to-follow movement combinations inspired by Bollywood choreography. Participants will also discover how Bollywood draws from India's rich tapestry of regional dance traditions, learning movements influenced by styles such as Kashmiri Rouf, Rajasthani Ghoomar, Punjabi Bhangra and Giddha, Maharashtrian Lavani and Lezim, Gujarati Garba, and South Indian dance forms. Along the way, participants will gain insight into the cultural roots of these dance forms while experiencing the energy, expression, and celebration that define Bollywood.
Designed for an outdoor festival setting, the workshop emphasizes participation over perfection. Whether you're dancing for the first time or have years of experience, everyone is encouraged to join in, move at their own pace, and celebrate together.
The session culminates in an open community dance cypher, where participants are invited to step into the circle, dance in whatever way feels authentic to them, share their favourite moves, and cheer one another. It's a chance to celebrate individuality, build confidence, and experience the joy, connection, and sense of community that Bollywood dance inspires.
Open to all ages and abilities, this workshop is an invitation to connect through dance, discover the diversity of Indian culture, and experience the power of movement to bring people together. No previous dance experience is required—just wear comfortable clothing, bring your enthusiasm, and get ready to dance!
-
Rajvi Dedhia is a Toronto-based dance artist, choreographer, and educator. Moved from India in 2021, she is trained in a range of styles, including ballet, Bollywood, contemporary, modern, Indian folk, hip-hop, jazz, and salsa. A graduate of the Dance Arts Institute (formerly The School of Toronto Dance Theatre), she has performed works by Nova Bhattacharya, Laurence Lemieux, Alyssa Martin and more. As an educator, she teaches both Indian and Western dance styles across community, educational, and professional settings, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange. A digital content creator, she shares her passion for dance through online platforms and offers Bollywood workshops and social media management services for dancers, collectives, and arts organizations, bridging the gap between performance and digital platforms to reach broader audiences.
Jasmine Huang. Photo by Yuna Kim
Friday, September 11, 2026 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Instruction provided in English and Mandarin
This open level Chinese Dance workshop will give you a glimpse into an art form that originated thousands of years ago and continues to be widely practised today. In addition to learning about Chinese dance’s many forms and rich history, we will dive into some fundamental movements, postures, and sequences of one of the many styles of Chinese dance - Classical Han dance (古典舞). You can look forward to storytelling through movement, being enriched by history, beautiful music, and learning a dance piece that you can enjoy well after the workshop ends!
Classical Han Dance (古典舞) with Jasmine Huang
-
Jasmine Huang is a performer and choreographer, born and raised in Vaughan, Ontario. She was most recently a MainStage Performer with Disney Cruise Line, and prior to that she was a swing in the Toronto production of The Lion King. Jasmine graduated from the Earl Haig Secondary School's Dance Program and Broadway Dance Center's Professional Semester Program in New York City. She received the highest score in Canada for the Beijing Dance Academy's Chinese dance examinations in 2008 and 2009, and she proudly continues to practise and teach Chinese dance. Her artistic mission is to inspire the younger generation, especially those that look like her, to chase their dreams.
Montana Summers. Photo by Duani Yano
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Rhythms of the Heart is a movement and somatic workshop about reconnecting with your heartbeat. Through breathing, listening, and guided body awareness practices, participants are invited to notice how the rhythm of the heart can influence the way we move. Participants will experiment with traveling across the floor, shifting pace, and responding to changes in breath and sensation; exploring how speeding up breath or calming the nervous system can change the rhythm of the heart. Rather than focusing on performance, Rhythms of the Heart offers a space for curiosity, presence, and embodied exploration. No dance experience needed!
Rhythms of the Heart with Montana Summers
-
Rhythms of the Heart is a movement and somatic workshop that begins by reconnecting with the rhythm that always beats which is the heartbeat. Through breathing, listening, and guided body awareness practices, participants are invited to notice how the rhythm of the heart exists throughout the body and influences the way we move.
From this connection, the workshop explores how the heartbeat can guide movement through space. Participants will experiment with traveling across the floor, shifting pace, and responding to changes in breath and sensation. Going from repeated gestures, steps, or rhythms to using movement improvisation and somatic practices, we'll also explore how speeding up or slowing the breath and calming the nervous system can change the rhythm of the heart, creating new ways of paying attention to the body and the spaces around us.
Rather than focusing on performance, Rhythms of the Heart offers a space for curiosity, presence, and embodied exploration, encouraging participants to move from an internal rhythm and discover how the heart can become a guide for movement. No dance experience needed!
-
Montana Summers, from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, is a choreographer, dance artist and theatre performer. Actively creating his own work “Conditions to Strike.” Summers regularly performs choreography by Santee Smith, the artistic director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. Notable performances include “The Mush Hole” (2016-2025), and “SKeN:NEN” (2021-2026). Other citable collaborations are with Nicole Beutler Projects (“Room In Our House” – 2025-2026) Sweet Labour Art Collective (“Compost-Recomposing Relations”– 2022, and “Wakh^tahslu:nihe: — Dressing Up the Garden”– 2024-2026) and Dusk Dances (“Kan^stote” – 2021). Summers was credited as choreographer for “The Secret to Good Tea” – 2024 (The Grand Theatre/NAC) and “Canoe” – 2023 (Unsettled Score). Music video credits include Lido Pimienta’s “Toxica” – 2026 and Semiah’s “Withdrawals”– 2024
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Step into Kathak offers participants a hands-on experience of one of the eight classical dance forms of India. Open to all ages and experience levels, the session begins with a brief introduction to the history and cultural significance of Kathak. Participants will then be guided through foundational elements, including basic posture, rhythmic footwork (tatkar), and spins (chakkars). The workshop is interactive, encouraging participants to build confidence in a supportive environment, regardless of prior dance experience. Step into Kathak offers more than just a dance lesson—it is an opportunity to experience the richness of Indian classical dance, and connect with its cultural heritage.
Step into Kathak with Sukriti Sharma
Sukriti Sharma & Students. Photo by Rajneesh Kalla
-
Step into Kathak is a 60-minute introductory workshop designed to offer participants a hands-on experience of Kathak, one of the eight classical dance forms of India. Open to all ages and experience levels, the workshop provides an engaging and accessible introduction to the fundamental techniques that define this vibrant art form.
The session begins with a brief introduction to the history and evolution of Kathak, highlighting its origins, cultural significance, and distinctive characteristics. Participants will then be guided through the foundational elements of the dance form, including basic posture, rhythmic footwork (tatkar), and graceful body movements. The workshop will also introduce participants to the fundamentals of Kathak spins (chakkars), with an emphasis on balance, alignment, and technique.
Throughout the session, participants will develop an understanding of rhythm, coordination, and movement while experiencing the precision and elegance that are central to Kathak. The workshop is designed to be interactive, encouraging participants to build confidence in a supportive and inclusive environment, regardless of prior dance experience.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have learned the essential building blocks of Kathak and will be able to perform a short movement sequence incorporating footwork, body movements, and introductory spins. Step into Kathak offers more than just a dance lesson—it is an opportunity to experience the richness of Indian classical dance, connect with its cultural heritage, and discover the joy of movement through one of India's most celebrated artistic traditions.
-
Sukriti Sharma is a Kathak dancer, choreographer, and educator specializing in the Lucknow Gharana, recognized for her strong traditional foundation and evolving artistic voice. She trained under Guru Shri Ashok Chakraborty and completed a decade of intensive study with Guru Shri Krishan Mohan Mishra at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. She later performed as a repertory artist with Padma Vibhushan Smt. Shovana Narayan and is a Delhi Doordarshan Graded Artist. Sukriti has performed at renowned festivals across India and Canada, including Konark Festival, Surya Festival, Kathak Mahotsava Canada, Momentum Festival, and ArohaFest, and participated in the Asia Pacific Dance Festival (2025). A recipient of mentorship grants from the Toronto Arts Council and Sampradaya Dance Creations, she is the founder of Sukriti Kathakaar, where she promotes Kathak through performance, education, and community initiatives, including the annual Holi festival Hori Dhoom Machori.
Raha Yghb. Photo by Glen Rodger
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Instruction provided in English and Farsi
Persian Dance: From North to South takes participants on a joyful journey across Iran through three dance traditions: Gilaki from the north, Persian dance from central Iran, and Bandari from the south. Each dance brings its own music, rhythm, energy, and cultural story. Through movement, the class celebrates the diversity of Iranian culture while creating a shared experience that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their background or familiarity with Persian dance. It is an invitation to discover Iran through the joy of music and movement.
Persian Dance From North to South with Raha Dance
-
Persian Dance From North to South takes participants on a fun and colourful journey through different parts of Iran. The performance brings together three dance traditions from across the country: Gilaki dance from the north, Persian dance from central Iran, and Bandari dance from the south. Each region has its own music, rhythm, energy, and way of moving. Through these dances, the participants will get a glimpse into the different cultures and traditions that make up Iran.
The journey begins in the north with the joyful and lively movements of Gilaki dance, travels through the expressive and graceful movements of Persian dance, and ends in the south with the energetic rhythms of Bandari dance.
More than a showcase of different dance styles, this class is an invitation to experience Iranian culture through music and movement. You don’t need to know anything about Persian dance to enjoy it. The goal is to create a welcoming and joyful experience where everyone can connect with the music, feel the rhythm, and discover something new. Persian Dance From North to South celebrates the diversity of Iran while reminding us that music and dance can bring people together, no matter where they come from.
-
Raha Yaghoubi is a Persian dance artist, choreographer, and founder of Raha Dance Group, based in Toronto. Her work explores the connection between Persian music, movement, emotion, and cultural storytelling. With a background in Persian classical dance, Raha brings together traditional movement vocabulary with improvisation and personal expression, creating an inviting space for dancers of all levels to connect with the music and their own bodies. Since 2017, she has presented her work at festivals and cultural events across Canada and internationally. Through her workshops, Raha encourages participants to move beyond learning steps, to listen, feel, and experience Persian music through movement, rhythm, and joyful expression.
Chantelle Good. Photo by Hannah Mayfield
Joy and Play through Contemporary Dance with Chantelle Good
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
In this beginner level Contemporary Dance Class, we will begin with a guided improvisational warm up allowing participants to connect to their bodies with curiosity and intuition. The warm up will end with a house music dance party; a way for us to channel joy, play, and freedom as a community. The rest of class will be spent exploring a short Contemporary movement phrase focusing on weight transfer, circular pathways, and musicality. No previous experience is required!
-
Join Chantelle for a beginner level Contemporary Dance Class designed for all ages and experience levels. In this class, we will tap into artistic expression and empowered movement. Empowered in the sense that everyone is welcome and encouraged to show up as their fullest selves, and approach the class as a vessel for exploration vs something to “achieve”.
We will begin class with a guided improvisational warm up allowing participants to connect to their bodies with curiosity and intuition. The prompts will be sensation-based, for example: “imagine you are moving through water” or “feel your feet as if they were moving in sand”. The warm up will end with a house music dance party; a way for us to channel joy, play, and freedom.
The rest of class will be spent exploring a short contemporary movement phrase focusing on weight transfer, circular pathways, and musicality. We will work on how to transition from one movement into the next with a sense of momentum and flow. By the end of class, participants will leave feeling more connected to their bodies and hopefully each other as we move together as a community.
No previous experience is required, just a desire to move and have fun!
-
Chantelle Good, originally from Toronto, Canada, is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist, now based in Brooklyn, New York. She studied at Marymount Manhattan College, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in choreography. To further her training, Chantelle also attended Springboard Danse Montreal where she performed repertoire by La Tresse Collective, Shumpei Nemoto, Stijn Celis, and Ohad Naharin. Commercial dance credits include: Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg, David Byrne, Volvo, The RealReal, and CNCPTS/PUMA. Concert and theatre credits include: Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More, Freddie Falls in Love (Joyce Theater), Still Motion Dance Company, Kate Harpootlian & Artists, and The Forest of Arden. Currently, Chantelle can be seen performing on Broadway in MJ The Musical. In addition to her work with TOES FOR DANCE, Chantelle enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for dance as a teaching artist and guest choreographer for institutions and programs across North America.
Coco Collective. Photo by Michael Mortley
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Use your body to experience movement isolations, patterns, and embodied polyrhythms. This class will explore neo-traditional and Caribbean social dance set to music from Afro-diasporic cultures. It's open to everyone regardless of your level of dance experience. Join in!
Afro-Diasporic Rhythms with Collette 'Coco' Murray
-
Collette “Coco” Murray is an award‑winning dance artist‑scholar, cultural arts programmer, educator, and arts consultant whose work bridges performance, pedagogy, and advocacy. With over 25 years in Canada’s arts sector, she specializes in Afro‑diasporic movement traditions, including West African, Caribbean folk, carnival arts, and stilt‑dancing as Coco Moko Jumbie. Her practice centres cultural reclamation and amplifying African diasporic narratives through community engagement, performance, and scholarship. A dedicated mentor and cultural educator, Miss Coco teaches, guest lectures, and publishes on equity and anti‑racism in the arts. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Dance Studies at York University, advancing culturally relevant dance pedagogy and strengthening the presence of African diasporic arts in Canadian education. As Artistic Director of Coco Collective, she curates culturally responsive programming rooted in African and Caribbean aesthetics, collaborating with intergenerational artists to foster inclusive, transformative cultural experiences.
Olga Barrios. Photo by Al Doerksen
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
This intro-level class combines Latin roots with funky, contemporary styles. It brings together movements inspired by traditional Colombian dances such as cumbia, bullerengue, and Afro-Caribbean movement, along with popular styles such as salsa and merengue, creating a contemporary fusion. The class focuses on exploring the torso and hips, encouraging participants to connect these areas with movement throughout the rest of the body. Come explore, move, and enjoy this Colombian blend!
Colombian Blend with Olga Barrios
-
Olga Barrios is a multi-award-winning Latin Canadian choreographer, dancer, arts educator, and co-founder/co-artistic director of Vanguardia Dance Projects Canada. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, she has over 25 years of professional experience and has been based in Canada since 2007. She holds an MFA from York University in Toronto and has collaborated on dance, theatre, music, film, and multidisciplinary projects across Canada, the United States, and Colombia. Her honours include the Hamilton Arts Award (2010) and an Honourable Mention in Choreography from Colombia’s Ministry of Culture (2004). Recent works include Hybrid Women (2021), The Echo of Hair (2023–24), Conversations (2025), and the award-winning dance film Cormoran (Best Dance Film, Munich Awards 2024). Olga is committed to fostering artistic exchange between Canada and Colombia, viewing the arts as a vital force for building community and social connection. More information: www.olgabarrios.com
Bimaadiziwin Learning Walk. Photo by Kendra Epik
Bimaadiziwin Learning walk
Saturday, September 12, 2026 + Saturday September 26, 2026 | 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Cree Land Keeper Charlene Grandmaison will lead a 30-minute "learning walk" on the land of Lee Lifeson Art Park and over the buried waterways beneath. We will be guided by teachings of Aki (Earth) and Nibi (Water), and principles of respect, reciprocity, and relational accountability.
Treaty partner, Gorge Michael will support and provide occasional movement prompts allowing participants experiential connection to the ground, the wind, the sky and the natural elements of the park (all our relations). You might find yourself swaying like the grasses in the breeze or reaching and billowing like the branches of a willow.
-
Charlene Grandmaison is a proud Cree woman from Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan and a member of the Wolf Clan. A lifelong advocate, knowledge keeper, and matriarch, she has dedicated her life to uplifting Indigenous communities through leadership and grassroots action. Her career includes work with Indigenous‑led organizations such as Catalyste+ (formerly CESO) and the City of Toronto, advancing Indigenous engagement and community well‑being. Now retired, Charlene remains deeply active in Parkdale, supporting cultural restoration and land‑based learning. She is the Cree Elder Lead Land Steward of Anishinaabe Nibi Gitigaan, Parkdale’s Indigenous Water Garden on Dunn, with future plans for expanded ceremonial and teaching spaces.
-
Gorge Michael (he/him) uses a decolonized approach to writing, art making and teaching. He lives and works gratefully as a Treaty Partner on Treaty 13. He is a skilled educator, earning an Arts Educator of the Year award in 2017 from the Elementary Teachers of Toronto during his 15 years with the Toronto District School Board. Since 2023 he has been building a following as a boylesque performer, and also working on a memoir about transitioning from woman to man in the dance world. Together with Carol Anderson, he founded the Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance in 2021 and he is thrilled to partner with TFD for Common Ground 2026, bringing Flight's dedication to deep connection with the land that we dance on.
Conditions to Strike. Photo by Kate Dalton
The Intercultural Performances at Common Ground Dance Days bring together professional artists and student groups for a welcoming and relaxed program that centres our commitment to intercultural exchange. The events include two compelling solo works by featured artists as well as a work-in-process developed during an Intercultural Collaboration Residency. In this unique creation, two artists, their histories, cultural traditions, and artistic practices come together in a shared work. Rather than simply blending styles, the artists explore what can emerge when different approaches to dance enter into conversation. Student groups join this exchange by sharing their dedication to their respective crafts, creating a space where emerging and established artists are relational to one another.
The program on September 12, 2026 will feature a collaboration between Sukriti Sharma and Montana Summers as well as their solo works, and a student performance outlined below:
Vrishti. Photo by Kendra Epik
Intercultural performances
Saturday, September 12, 2026 + Saturday September 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
EmBODYing. Photo by Michael Mortley
-
Vrishti by Sukriti Sharma explores the essence of rain through the intricate artistry of Kathak and involves a profound journey into the dance's expansive repertoire. With a delicate interplay of intricate footwork, graceful hand gestures, and emotive facial expressions, Kathak transforms into a canvas to abstract and evoke the spirit of rainfall. Beyond mere physicality, these compositions delve into the emotional resonance of rainfall. By channeling the rain's essence through the Kathak form, the performance showcases an interplay between the technical and storytelling aspects of the form. Set to the rhythmic structure of Taal Jhaptaal, a 10-beat cycle, and composed in Raag Megh Malhar, this piece showcases the fluid qualities of the Kathak form.
-
Montana Summers’, Conditions to Strike, offers a personal interpretation of the Thunder Boy from Unkwehu:we storytelling. Drawing on the character's duality of living as half human and half Thunder Being - a spirit of the natural world - Summers parallels this dichotomy with the modern queer experience, navigating the interplay between the masculine and feminine. Thunder Boy dances in the storm of life, bridging the relational balance between the binaries of sky and earth. Summers explores profound themes of intergenerational lessons of love, protection, sacrifice, and the quest to rediscover ancient knowledge of living in equilibrium with the natural world.
-
Students from TFD’s Fresh Dance Intensive program will perform a new contemporary dance piece titled the pulse, choreographed by Bri Clarke. Featured performers include: Megan Gaylard, Dé’Jahnih Boothe, Aaliyah Douglas and Evelyn Farmer. The piece explores how moving our bodies can be a radical act against technological dissatisfaction. The pulse is the heartbeat; the rejection of the chronically-online self. The work asks: When it feels like technology is taking over, how can we reconnect to our moving bodies?
The program on September 26, 2026 will feature a collaboration between Collette 'Coco' Murray and Olga Barrios as well as their solo works and a performance by students of Prabhāvalī Arts outlined below:
-
EmBODYing is a solo performance by Collette 'Coco' Murray. Everybody bears a story. Within it lives the unspoken changes that shape our becoming. This path back to self is stirred by ancestral polyrhythms, carrying Coco through cycles of transformation. We remember that we remain a vessel of shifting states.
-
Petunia, a solo work by Olga Barrios, is a contemporary dance work that seeks to explore salsa music and theatricality in movement within the context of gender. Petunia “is a widely cultivated genus of flowering plants of South American origin”. The performance evokes… a woman, a woman being an object in the environment, object of vibration, object for society, object of thoughts, object for pleasure and pain, sensuality, object of criticism and of power, mystery object, object of desire, of rhythm, of her skin, her blood, her passion. An object woman, owner of life, object of herself.
-
Tridevi Stuthi, is an ensemble Bharatanatyam work that celebrates three goddesses of Hindu mythology—Kamakshi, Mahalakshmi, and Saraswati—through verses from devotional hymns penned by Adi Shankaracharya. Originally conceived as an offering for Navratri, a festival celebrating the divine feminine, the work interweaves verses praising the beauty and attributes of each goddess, bringing their distinct qualities together through dance and music. The composition, a Ragamalika, moves through multiple melodies and features jathis and sollukattu, spoken rhythmic patterns drawn from the Tanjore tradition.
Creative Communities Consultation - Call For Participants
Be a part of shaping the future of dance in North York!
Join the Creative Communities Consultation and contribute your valuable voice to help shape TOES FOR DANCE’s future programming in North York. The Creative Communities Consultation is a way to better understand and involve the community we have been working with for the past 5 years through our Common Ground Dance Festival at Lee Lifeson Art Park and other locations around Willowdale. As we plan for our 2027 festival and consider ways that dance programming can help foster respectful and connected relationships across differences of culture and lived experience, we want to hear from you!
-
What your involvement would include:
Attend a day of our dance programming and, later that same day, participate in a group conversation with TFD team member Keira Marie Forde so that we can bring your brilliant ideas into our programming! Note: the conversation will be recorded and excerpts of your voice may be used for grant reporting and/or marketing purposes in the future.
$125 honorarium for participants
Who we are looking for:
Folks who live, work, teach, create art and gather in North York, ages 18+.
Neighbours looking for ways to engage with their community (priority: Willowdale).
Artists who live and work in North York (priority: Willowdale).
Business owners in North York (priority: Willowdale).
People who are passionate or curious about public art.
Dance makers of all disciplines.
When and where your presence would be requested:
Common Ground Dance Days at Lee Lifeson Art Park
Friday, September 11th, 6:00-9:00pm, or
Saturday, September 12th, 1:30- 5:00pm, or
Friday, September 25th, 6:00-9:00pm, or
Saturday, September 26th, 1:30- 5:00pm
If you have any questions about our Creative Communities Consultation, please contact Keira Marie Forde at keira@toesfordance.ca .
The Creative Communities Consultation for Common Ground Dance Festival is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
TOES FOR DANCE is grateful to be working in collaboration with
North York Arts and Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance to co-present
Common Ground Dance Days!
Click on their logos below to learn more!
ACCESS INFORMATION
Lee Lifeson Art Park features gently sloping ramps and paved pathways suitable for mobility devices. Most activities will take place in proximity to paved pathways, although some activities may take place on grassy areas within the park. Seating will be available on the wooden benches of the amphitheatre with additional chairs and blankets also available. Attendees are welcome to bring their own camping stools, lawn chairs, or blankets. Accessible viewing will be available on paved pathways around the site. All announcements and dance class instructions will be amplified.
A fully accessible washroom is available on-site. If you need a moment to step away, a Quiet Area is available in the south east corner of the park.
Beginner dance classes will be taught with options for participation depending on your mobility. You are welcome to engage in the event while sitting (chairs provided), standing stationary, or simply by observing and/or feeling the music!
Mandarin translation will be available for a class on Sept 11 and the performance on Sept 12.
Farsi translation will be available for a class on Sept 25 and the performance on Sept 26.
If you have any specific access needs or questions, please reach out to our Access Coordinator, Cass (cass@toesfordance.ca) ahead of time - we’re here to help ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for you!
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Lee Lifeson Art Park is our main festival venue, located at 223 Gladys Allison Pl, North York, ON M2N 3R5. Click here for a Google Map.
It’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from North York Centre subway station; so it’s easy to join in the fun! While you’re in the area, we encourage you to check out the neighbourhood’s fantastic selection of restaurants and bars.
-
1. Take Line 1 Yonge-University to North York Centre Station
2. Walk through the RioCan Empress Shopping Mall and exit near the Second Cup at Doris Avenue
3. Cross the street (Doris Avenue) to enter the Lee Lifeson Art Park on Gladys Allison Place
-
North York Centre Shopping Mall (west side of Yonge St) has a variety of food options including Starbucks, ze-teca Mexican Eatery, and La Prep Sandwich
RioCan Empress Shopping Mall (east side of Yonge St) offers Petit Potato, Marble Slab Creamery, and Shinta Japanese BBQ
-
A. Green P Parking Lot - $6.00/hr (entrance on Empress Ave)
B. RioCan Empress Parking $5.00/hr (entrance on Hillcrest Ave)
C. North York Centre Parking $8.00/hr (entrance on Park Home Ave)
D. Free Street Parking after 6pm on some local streets including Hillcrest Ave (indicated in red on the map)
*limited free street parking after 6pm on other nearby streets
Common Ground Dance Days是一场运动与社区的庆典。欢迎您于 9 月 11 日至 12 日以及 9 月 25 日至 26 日来到 Lee Lifeson Art Park，参加具有不同风格的初级舞蹈课程，学习弘扬原住居民文化的 Bimaadiziwin Learning Walks，欣赏由专业人士和学生共同呈现的充满创意和活力的跨文化演出。9 月 11 日至 12 日将有普通话联合主持，9 月 25 日至 26 日会有波斯语联合主持！本活动由 TOES FOR DANCE (@toesfordance) ，Flight Festival (@flightfestivalpec) 和 North York Arts (@northyorkarts) 联合举办。敬请 登记报名，您会收到天气变化报告，并有机会获得奖品。更多信息请见：https://www.toesfordance.ca/common-ground
古典汉舞舞蹈课由 Jasmine Huang 教课
用英文和普通话授课
这场不限舞级的中国舞蹈课将带您一窥这一源于数千年前，而且至今仍被广泛练习的艺术形式。除了了解多种形式的中国舞和其丰富历史之外，从众多风格的中国舞中我们将重点学习其中的古典汉舞的一些基础动作，舞姿和组合。你可以看到怎样通过肢体动作讲述故事。充满历史底蕴的舞蹈，伴随着优美的音乐，会使您在舞蹈课结束后仍能回味无穷！
Common Ground Dance Days的跨文化表演汇聚专业艺术家和学生团体，共同呈现一场轻松友好的节目，彰显我们对跨文化交流的承诺。活动包括由两位特邀艺术家呈献的精彩的独舞，以及一个在跨文化合作项目中创作中的作品。在这一独特创作中，两位艺术家、他们不同的历史背景、文化传统和艺术实践汇聚于同一部作品之中。艺术家们并非只是简单地融合不同风格，而是探索在用不同的舞蹈方法彼此对话时，会产生怎样新的可能。同时学生们也把他们的努力和执着注入到这一交流作品之中，共同营造出一个成熟艺术家与新秀彼此相联的环境。
2026 年 9 月 12 日的节目将呈现 Sukriti Sharma 与 Montana Summers 的合作表演，以及他们各自的独舞作品，具体如下：
由 Sukriti Sharma 创作的《Vrishti》通过 Kathak 舞蹈精妙的艺术表现探索了雨的本质，并深入展现了这门舞蹈的博大精深。凭借细腻交织的繁复舞步、优雅的手势和富有情感的面部表现，Kathak舞好像 化作一块画布，形象的表达了雨水的精神。除了单纯的肢体表达之外，这些作品还深入探讨了雨水所引发的情感共鸣。通过借助 Kathak 舞的形式传达雨的精髓，这场表演展现了该舞种在技巧性与叙事性之间的互动。舞蹈采用Taal Jhaptaal 10 拍循环的节奏结构，编入到Raag Megh Malhar 中，作品充分展现了 Kathak 舞流形且灵动的特征。
Montana Summers 的作品《Conditions to Strike》对来自Unkwehu:we Storytelling 中的雷童子作出了个人化诠释。借用角色半人半雷神——自然界的精灵——的双重身份，Summers 将这种二元性与现代酷儿的体验相提并论，探讨了男女气质之间的相互关系。雷童子在生命的风暴中起舞，找到天与地二元之间的平衡关系。Summers 深入探讨了跨代传承的爱、守护、牺牲，以及重新找回古人与自然世界和谐共处的认知。
Presented in partnership with Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance and North York Arts. Made possible with funding from the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Canada. We gratefully acknowledge additional support from Toronto Arts Foundation/Arts in the Parks, Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association, TO Live, and Empress Orthodontics.
Photo credits on this page: Circular photos and banner photos by Shannon Widdis, Swirl graphic by Kendra Epik.