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Ontario International Development Agency |
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Ontario International Development Agency |
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Non Political and Non Religious Foundation |
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Ontario Dance Festival
2006 Performers |
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Opening Guest Performance by Lathika's Dance Troupe |
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Lathika’s
Dance Troupe, presenting the opening item as guest performers, is a name
that needs no introduction to the Sri Lankan Community in Canada. Since
it’s inception in 1989, the troupe’s creator, Lathika
Abeyesekera has choreographed and produced performances that have
earned her a reputation for originality unmatched. Besides her inventive
choreography, creative combinations of musical rhythms that have
incorporated both classical and modern Sinhala, Tamil, Malay and English
music, she is widely recognized for her unique and outstanding costume
design. Over the years many of Lathika’s performers have
moved on to creating their own dance groups, using the learning
experiences gained by performing in her troupe. The present troupe
comprises a group of beautiful girls some still teenagers who over the
years have captivated their audiences with their talent for presentation
of rhythmic dance moves. The fluidity of their movements always keeps the
heart, mind and soul of audiences spellbound. From performances at The
Centre for Performing Arts, City Hall, fundraising and cultural events all
over the city, Lathika’s Dance troupe continues to be one
of the most sought after performers in Toronto. Although frequent demand
exists for paid performances from this group, they maintain a willingness
to perform for cultural and fundraising events only. |
| *Guest Performance Miss India Canada 2005-06 |
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| Shani Kumari Singh was crowned Miss India-Canada 2005. Shani from Waterloo, Ontario, is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo and wants to become a doctor so that she can work around the world with Doctors Without Borders; helping where it's needed most. She loves Art in all its forms and throughly enjoyed dancing, participating humanitarian aids concerts. OIDA wish all the best her career and humanitarian mission and her effort to make difference in the world. * Not Perform and attend as Guest of Honour |
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"Sujithakala" Cultural Organization Canada |
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| "Sujithakala" Cultural Organization in Canada provides training for Canadian Children while promoting Sri Lankan culture and heritage. "Sujithakala" academy is well renowned and performed many cultural dances across Canada. Their services include providing Sri Lankan drums, Dances for Temple Puja Ceremonies, Cultural Weddings, Musical shows and Multicultural events. "Sujithakala" academy also provides training lessons in dancing and drumming for children. Well known Sri Lankan artists Premila Williams and Milton Jayaratne coordinate these lessons and Cultural activities of the Academy. |
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Portuguese Cultural Centre |
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| The Portuguese Cultural Centre (PCC)of Mississauga Inc., previously known as The Portuguese Club of Mississauga, was established on Febuary 26, 1974.The Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga inc. is a non-profit organization, incorporated to maintain and develop cultural activities focused on the preservation and development of Portuguese culture and to propagate it to the youth of the Portuguese descent and to promote good citizenship and integration in mainstream society and to promote tolerance and understanding and to participate in general community activities for the benefit of society in general. PCC participated many activities across Canada and pillar of Canadian heritage. |
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"Sulochana" Dance Troupe |
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"SULOCHANA" dance troupe
is a very well known dance trope among the Canadian Sri Lankan's in
Toronto. A group that was formed in 2001 and is lead by Kumari
Salgado who was a professional dance teacher in Sri Lanka. "SULOCHANA"
dance troupe has danced for numerous events and has continued to keep up
a good reputation. Kumari dedicated herself in teaching
students to be successful in learning the tradition and customs of Sri
Lanka.
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La Bhangra Academy |
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| La Bhangra academy provide East Indian Punjabi Dance training for Canadian kids. Saroj Puri is a Choreographer and Educator for the La Bhangra Dance academy. Saroj Puri Dance studio participated many events across the Canada. The surprise stealer of the entire festival will be the La Bhangra Romeo Fashion Show by children from Saroj Puri's "La Bhangra Dance Studio." All kids from 3 to 16 years representing all races grooved on zestful Bhangra tunes and expected to be received standing ovation from a thrilled audience. |
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"Sarasavi" Dance Troupe |
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| Well known Sri Lankan artist Latha Dissanayake is a artistic director of the "Sarasavi" Dance Troupe. Latha dedicated her talent to promote Sri Lankan cultural heritage in Canada, introducing traditional dances called "Wannam". "Sarasavi" dance troupe is famous in Toronto and they participated in many community events and attracted many Canadians. "Latha Dissanayake is a popular singer among Sri Lankan community and her group is invited very often for cultural events across Canada. Latha Dissanayake's academy provides dancing lessons for Canadian Children. |
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Chi-Ping Dance Troupe |
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| Chi-Ping Dance Group is a non-profit organization founded in 1984. Chi-Ping dancers have been involved in numerous multicultural festivals and governmental ceremonies in Canada and aboard. Chi-Ping elite dancers represented Canada in the International Folklore Festival in Mexico in August 2000. They were also selected to participate in the Root-Seeking Summer Camp 2002 by the Foreign Affairs Department of China in Beijing. |
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"Apsaras" Dance Troupe |
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| Apsaras dance Troupe well known in Canada performed Bharatha Natyam. Originally Bharatha Natyam was not intended as entertainment for audiences rather, it was danced for purposes of personal growth and worship. Bharatha Natyam was, and continues to be a medium through which common man could find unity between the cosmos and its creator. Apsaras recently participated Pacific West and Surrey Arts Competition and won Gold and Silver medals. Apsars Dance troupe represented Sri Lanka at the TsunamiRx benefit concert in Sudbury, Ontario and attracts fully attention from all media across the Northern Ontario. |
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Orient Dance Company Toronto |
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Katy
Liu is a Director Over the years, the Company has received many invitations to perform at various venues and various groups and organizations, such as Canada Day Celebrations, Toronto Dragon Boat Festival, CNE International Stage, The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Children Aid Foundation Fundraising events, North York Arts Week, London of Ontario Celebration of Chinese New Year, Niagara Casino and Casino Rama. This actively growing company has also volunteered to participate in several meaningful charity events such as Yee Hong Centre fund-raising events, and making cultural exchange with the Folklore Troupe of Beijing Dance Academy. |
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Monica School of Barathanatyam |
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| Ms. Monica Ramesh Kanth is artistic director of the school. Ms Monica was given a title as "kalaiselvi" from Seerthireta Tamil Sangam in Singapore and "kali Narthana Nayagi" from the People's Association of Singapore. Bharatha Natym is a form of classical Indian dance originated from the temples of Southern India. It is highly stylized dance from marked by the strict definitions of posture and fluidity of movements. The hand gestures are used to portray the meaning of the dance, while the emotions are shown through facial expressions. School won many dance festival around the world and providing dancing lessons for all Canadians and sharing Canadian heritage. |
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Nair Social Society of Canada |
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NSS Canada is a non-profit organisation, meant for preserving the rich values and culture of Nair community in Canada. It is affiliated to Nair Service Society of Kerala, founded by Late Bharathakesari Sri Mannath Padmanabhan. Our cultural programs organised twice a year, envelop classical dances, music, dramas and select movies of Malayalam cinema. Also we have programs to inculcate religious and spiritual identity in our new generation. Mohiniyattam is the genuine dance form of Kerala, rich in costumes, unique with its combination of "Lasya and Bhava". Teen girls of NSS Canada will be presenting a Mohiniyattam dance to the tune of adapted verses from famous 'Nalacharitham". The performers are Aiswarya, Anjali, Vinitha, Preethi, Sharanya and Ranjini. |
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Toronto Chinese Dance Academy |
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The Toronto Chinese Dance Company is a professional dance company that performs Classical, Folk, and Contemporary Chinese Dance. Artistic Director Yan Lam created this vibrant company in 1996 for the purpose of keeping the ancient arts of China alive in a new land, while providing opportunities for artistic growth through inventive choreography within the traditions. Since then, the company has found a following in Toronto, as well as Ottawa and Montreal, for its fascinating mix of old and new. The Company has performed at First Night Toronto, Arts Week, Dance Weekend, National Ballet's Chance To Dance, Asian Heritage Festival, Caravan, CNE, etc. Company staged productions include Rain in Banana Grove, Yellow River, Drunken Concubine, Marbles, & Tang Dynasty, From China to Canada ... 2000 Years of Dance, Dance Into Year 2000, Plum Flower Dances, Soaring Dragons and Dancing Phoenix, Dance of a Different Rhythm, Body Aesthetics, Of Dragons and Things, Dance for Spring. The Toronto Chinese Dance Company is an Ontario registered non-profit arts organization. |
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"Mandakini" Dance Troupe |
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| Mandakini
Dance Troupe came to light in 1997 and continues to shine even today
within the Sri Lankan community. This
group of young adults is lead and trained by youthful and charismatic Nadeeja
Wijesekara. Mandakini,
which exemplifies the exceptional richness, elegance and grandeur of
Sinhala culture and dance forms, donates all profits made by dancing to
various charitable causes. To
its members, Mandakini Dance Troupe means a beautiful
bond of friendship and a love for Sri Lankan cultural dance. |
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*Priya Rameshkanth's Guest Performance |
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| Priya Rameshkanth performed a Diya dance (Light Dance) "Pushpanjali" at the Tsunami Rx benefit concert, Sudbury Arena, Sudbury, Ontario. Priya is Vancouver based dancer and participated many events around the world. Priya's grace as a Bharatha Natyam dancer has always been evident and we are sure that grace will be the highlight of her performance that will be showcased at the festival. Good Luck for her career * Not Perform |
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Indonesian Arts and Culture Group |
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Indonesian Arts and Culture group
perform Tari Panen (Harvest Dance). Tari Panen
or Harvest Dance features the joy and happiness of members of the village
community in Indonesia after harvest time. Movements of the dancers depict
their feelings for this joyous time of their life. Even though overwhelmed by elation, they do not forget to do the most important from all, praying to praise and thank God Our Creator for everything that they had been given. |
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Chinese Academy |
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| In various competitions, these dancers have received gold medals. The Group has also hosted numerous successful Gala Shows and Fund-raising events for other charitable organizations, and has been cited as the Group of the Year 2000 by the City of Toronto. Ms Chi-Ping Lau, a choreographer, dancer and dance educator, is the founder and the Artistic Director of Chi-Ping Dance Group. She graduated from Laban Center, University of London, and is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists, the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association and a former director of Community Folk Art Council of Metro Toronto. |
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Croatian Parish Folklore Group Marjan |
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| Croatian Parish
Folklore Group Marjan has been actively involved in
spreading the Croatian culture throughout North America and beyond.
Under the guidance of the Roman Catholic Church of Croatian Martyrs,
the goal of Marjan is to show the beauty of Croatian culture
through its wonderfully rich folkloric history. Members of Marjan
practice diligently to perform a variety of choreographies from
regions of Croatia that include Istria, Podravina, Medjimurje,
Posavina, Prigorje, Slavonija and Baranja.
The members of this group are also actively involved in maintaining
the group by organizing banquets, sewing costumes and raising funds. Marjan
has also travelled extensively throughout North America for various
performances and festivals. Not only has Marjan performed at
every Canadian-Croatian Folklore Festival since its founding, but has
also travelled to Ottawa and Montreal many times, as well as made
trips to Chicago, Illinois in 1992 and Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1998. Marjan
was also proud to be part of a performing tour in Croatia in 1997, and
for performing with the tamburitza orchestra "Ferdo
Livadic" in Samobor, Croatia in 2000. |
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*Guest Solo Performance - The Orient Dance Company Toronto |
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Since
the Orient Dance Company was founded, these goals have bee pursued
relentlessly. The Company
nurtures and challenges it’s dancers and apprentices through vigorous
and structured training. Many
professional teachers from China have been invited to teach for the
Company, giving the students excellent instruction.
Step by step, the students learn to appreciate and understand the
rich history and beauty of Chinese dance.
Through participation in the classes, rehearsals, and performances,
the dancers develop and strengthen excellent team work ethics.
Within its short history, the Company has made hundreds of
performances for different occasions in diverse communities, contributing
a great deal to the society. The Company has also won the “EXCELLENCE
IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD” presented by the Toronto
Community & Culture Centre. |
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Toronto Chinese Dance Company |
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| Artistic director of Toronto Chinese Dance Company is Ms. Yan Lam. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Montreal, Ms. Lam received her training in Chinese dance from some of China's top teachers from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy. Ms. Lam also studied ballet under Svea Eklof, former prima ballerina of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and modern dance under Robert Derosiers, internationally known dance wizard. Ms. Lam is a Certified senior teacher of the Beijing Dance Academy Chinese Dance Examination Syllabus, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Kiwanis Dance Festival of Toronto. She also holds Honours Bachelor degrees in Mathematics, and Combinatorics & Optimization from the University of Waterloo. Over the years, Ms. Lam has devoted much of her time in promoting the Chinese dance art form in Canada. She has directed over 20 full-length dance productions and adjudicated at festivals. As a performer, Ms. Lam performed in many cities in Canada and US. She also actively teaches Chinese dance for the Toronto School Board, and works with other Canadian artists on multi-disciplinary, multi-media collaboration projects. |
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Infamous Productions Dance Troupe |
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Egyptian Solo Dance |
