October 21, 2019

All Bodies Can Dance at ArtStarts

If you have a body, you can dance! Our friends at All Bodies Dance Project will be at the ArtStarts Gallery and at River Market to show us inspiring ways to move for EVERY BODY! Their choreography considers the way people can move in wheelchairs, crutches, canes and celebrate the spectrum of who dances and what dance can be.

Hear from Adam Grant Warren and Carolina Bergonzoni from All Bodies as they tell us all about this inclusive dance project and what you can expect to see this weekend:

1. How would you describe your artistic practice to someone who isn't familiar with your work?

[Adam] "We're a dance company that includes and welcomes anyone with any level of experience -- from folks who are just curious, to living-room dance-partiers, to professional performers. We bring together dancers with and without disabilities to explore dance as a means of expression in any and all bodies. We treat mobility devices as choreographic opportunities rather than impediments. We do all these things, and we have a ton of fun to boot!"

2. How long have you been a performing artist?

[Adam] "I've been with All Bodies from the beginning, six years ago, but my own professional practice is much older. I've been at this for a little over 20 years, and the work has literally taken me from one end of Canada to the other."

[Carolina] "I have been dancing since I was 4 years old. When I moved to Vancouver, from Italy, I was felt a bit lost, and found All Bodies in 2015 and have been dancing with them ever since!"

3. What is your favourite part of performing?

[Adam] "I won't lie; I do love being in front of an audience. But my favourite part of performing has always been the creative process. Finding, making, uncovering -- however you define it -- performing is only fun when you believe in the value of the work you're doing, and the value of sharing that work."

[Carolina] I love the research process, asking questions and finding answers with and through movement. I also enjoy the adrenalin of being in front of an audience and dance my heart out for them.

4. What do you like about performing for young people?

[Adam] Their honesty. When young audiences don't like what they're seeing, when they aren't engaged with a performance, they let me know in one way or another. When they *are* engaged, they let me know that too. So, when I'm performing for young audiences and they're into it, then I know that engagement is genuine, and that whatever I've got to show them is worth sharing. With young audiences -- especially sharing the work we do at All Bodies -- there's also a greater chance that we're showing them something they haven't seen before. Something that will stick after the performance and go with them into the world.

5. What are some of the outcomes you hope young people will take away from your performance?

[Adam] Personally, I want them to go dance. To see the "dance" in the things they'd never thought of as dancing. To find even one other person who doesn't think they can dance and show that person that they can. Not only can they dance but, because they're alive and moving, they are a dancer.

[Carolina] To believe in their bodies, the creativity and knowledge the body has, and to be free of following their passion and dreams...!

We can't wait to see families participate in this free dance show. Performances will be on Saturday, October 26 at the ArtStarts Gallery and Sunday, October 27, at River Market in New Westminster.

Each 45-minute performance takes place twice, at 11am and 1pm. Please arrive a little early as this is a popular program. Ideal for ages 7 and under, but all are welcome. Free! Donations welcome!

Thank you to Westminster Savings for supporting this monthly event at River Market.