SQx Dance Company

Discipline: Dance
Homebase: South Slocan, BC
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Remote, Kootenays, Virtual
Languages: English, Spanish, French
Themes: LGBTQ2SIA+, Anti-Bullying, Climate Change and/or Environmentalism
Grant Eligibility: Eligible for 70% AIE

MISSION: Use contemporary dance to promote kinship, collaboration, and teamwork. MANDATE -Further the development of dance and public engagement through performances and outreach -Use dance to make the world a better place. OUR WORK TARGETS VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Minoritized languages (we present equally in FR & EN), minoritized ethnicities, Indigenous communities, rural & remote areas, low-income areas, newcomers, people of diverse abilities, multi-barriered populations. HOW DO WE DEFINE VULNERABLE: We engage with people who have been systemically underserved in Canada’s history as well as those that currently experiencing hegemonic inequities (physical, economic, or social). In using the term “vulnerable,” we're not blaming or disempowering vulnerable populations. Instead, we recognize the systemic barriers that prevent people from fully participating in society. We also note that a person’s proximity to hegemonic characteristics (e.g. male, white, urban, cis, heterosexual, wealthy, able-bodied, and thin) affects the degree of vulnerability. ARTISTS: We have hiring preferences to ensure our work considers the experiences of diverse audiences and participants. Each artist brings special knowledge and experiences that influence the social inclusivity outcomes of our work. ASK US ABOUT OUR IMPACT: We critically assess the reception of our programs in collaboration with partners. We can email impact snapshots to show the social value of our work.

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*WHAT DOES SQx MEAN?: A SeQuoia is a giant tree. And our programs and performances deliver a giant eXperience. All of the above ensures that we are always growing, which is why our logo is a tree and our name is derived from Sequoia tree. Big growth is part of our organizational vision. What's more, we are a part of a forest; we are a part of a community that nurtures us.

Performance(s)

Tidal Wave Performance

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Dance
Offered Languages: English, Spanish, French
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 83 Mins (Double-Bill), 60 Mins (Physical), 23 Mins (Digital)
Capacity: 1000
Tech Requirements: 2 Desks, 3 Electrical Outlets (for LED lighting we bring), Projector & Screen or Blank Wall (only required for digital performance)
Available Formats: In Person, Virtual

Tidal Wave is a double-bill contemporary dance performance that aims to raise awareness about ecological issues to help audiences reflect more deeply on our relationship with the Earth and our communities. The hydroelectric turbine like those across BC, our home, is our metaphor for the complexities of our relationship with the Earth. 1) PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE: Features flat-pack paper sculpture walls to mimic waves (see pic above). We also have our own performance lights. We will drive in our set and lighting depending on the school location. See trailer video above. 2) DIGITAL PERFORMANCE: Filmed in Egilsstadir, Iceland and the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsimshian & Tahltan nations in BC. In Egilsstadir, we filmed in and around Iceland’s largest power plant, Kárahnjúkar. Regional base rates include both the digital and physical performance, but schools may choose if they just prefer one. Although the performances are related they are not the same. The digital version of Tidal Wave helps audiences better understand the nuances of the physical dance. Tidal Wave will finish with a group-wide discussion encouraging students to think deeply about how our ecological choices today will impact (and have a ripple effect) on each other and our communities in the future. 5 dancers perform and tour for each physical performance and our creative team represents the diverse audiences we serve. If schools are interested in combining Tidal Wave with Workshop activities, see below.

Workshop(s)

Active Inclusion Program (AIP) Workshop

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Dance
Offered Languages: English, Spanish, French
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 30-90 mins / workshop x 3-5 days = 3-5 sessions / student
Capacity: 1000
Tech Requirements: Digital Workshops: Projector, Computer, & Zoom.
Available Formats: In Person, Virtual

AIP uses dance to disrupt racism, discrimination, intolerance, & hate in vulnerable youth as a method for increasing awareness about: -Canada’s cultural diversity -Issues affecting underserved populations in fully participating in society AIP features: -10 Min Performance by Professional Dancers -3-5 days of workshops where participants create dances based on curated discussions that encourage critical thinking about: Inclusion, empathy, diversity, disrupting racism, equity, etc. -10-20 Min Closing Performance DIGITAL PROGRAM ONLY: Other than our performance video NOTHING IS RECORDED. Dancers engage students over Zoom through a TWO-WAY VIDEO STREAM where both the dancer/presenter & participants can see & hear each other. We work with each school to decide what workshop lengths & group sizes work best. Please call for more information about scheduling, travel logistics, & performance options. Regional rates above are for a 5 day program & may be adjusted for shorter programs. We bring 5-6 dancers to each school. AIP has been presented to over 31,000 youth across Canada -100% of educators (Grade 3+) feel AIP increased their students’ understanding of equity, discrimination, and racism. -96% of educators (3+) feel AIP inspired their students to become positive role models and leaders in their community, family, and school. -“AIP was amazing! I enjoyed myself so much! I made so many memories and connections about the history about Canada!” - Student, Osoyoos Elementary

Tidal Wave Workshops & Performance

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Dance
Offered Languages: English, Spanish, French
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 30-60 mins/ workshop x 2-3 days = 2-3 sessions/student
Capacity: 1000
Tech Requirements: Digital Workshops: Projector, Computer, & Zoom. For Physical Performance Component: 2 Desks, 3 Electrical Outlets (for LED lighting we bring).
Available Formats: In Person, Virtual

Tidal Wave is an interactive performance program that raises awareness about ecological issues to help youth reflect more deeply on our relationship with the Earth & our communities. Workshops use a 2-3 day arts-based community development process to engage vulnerable youth with: 1) PERFORMANCE BY PROFESSIONAL DANCERS (as above, length can be adjusted). 2) DISCUSSIONS: Dancers help youth reflect on our performance, their experiences, & wider-world implications of topics we explore to instigate learning & reflection: Climate change, social inclusion, responsibility, youth leadership, etc. 3) CREATIVE WORKSHOPS: SQx dancers teach youth a short dance to role-model how we use climate change & social inclusion to inspire our movement. Then, SQx presenters facilitate the process of turning words, emotions, & ideas into movements. 4) TIKTOK STYLE VIDEO DEVELOPMENT: Youth create short dances stemming from 1+ buzzwords from discussions. TikTok App is NOT used & NOT required. DIGITAL PROGRAM ONLY: Other than our performance video NOTHING IS RECORDED. Dancers engage students over Zoom through a TWO-WAY VIDEO STREAM where dancer/presenter & participants can see & hear each other. We work with each school to decide what workshop lengths & group sizes work best. Please call for more information about scheduling, travel logistics, performance options. We bring 5-6 dancers to each school. We’ve presented our work from Elkford to Atlin; see video for our ability to serve vulnerable communities.

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Testimonials & Reviews

“Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done for our classroom and community. You had 100% participation the entire time and my students were so excited to dance with you every morning. This program is incredible. I’m a huge fan of your mission and message. You did an excellent job as a teacher! Kukwstsétsemc!" Arlene Dixon, Educator, Sk’elep School of Excellence (Kamloops, BC)

“Wanted to pass along the message that we really loved having these sessions! This dance class is something that our class/ these kids have never done before, and they have really taken up this opportunity. It is quite outside their comfort zone and they have done so well under Kiah’s guidance. I’m very grateful this opportunity has presented to our kids as they explore their bodies and connect what different movements mean to them. I’ve also enjoyed the experience myself. Limlimpt!” Riana Magee, Grade 6/7/8 Educator, Outma Sqilx’w Cultural School, Penticton, BC

"I cannot say enough how wonderful it was to have French speakers lead workshops in our town! It was really exciting for my students to share in their second language with the instructors.” Educator, KVR Middle School (Penticton, BC)

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