Dancers of Damelahamid Spirit and Tradition November 23-30, 2020
Thank you!
Thank you to the artists, to all who watched the performances, to those who donated, to those who took part in our social media contest and to our funders!
Spirit and Tradition by Dancers of Damelahamid
Presented by New Works, in partnership with The Dance Centre
Spirit and Tradition layers projected imagery, soundscape, and Coastal masked dance, immersing the audience into the rich and diverse ecosystem of British Columbia’s coastal mountains and Pacific Ocean. Spirit and Tradition’s key themes are reciprocity and ecological sustainability, conveying important cultural teachings on balance, interconnectedness, and community.
This performance is by donation!
New Works is not currently charging for show tickets as it is important for us to keep our performances accessible to all during this time. However, if you have the capacity to donate (any amount), it would greatly help us continue to deliver the services we offer to artists and to the community (dance presentations, artist management, our Share Dance workshops for children and youth, etc). We truly appreciate your support!
Listen to a talk back with Artistic Director Margaret Grenier:
About Dancers of the Damelahamid:
The Dancers of Damelahamid is an Indigenous dance company from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia with a rich history of masked dance that inspires a compelling performance. The Dancers of Damelahamid has produced the annual Coastal Dance Festival since 2008. Their full-length works include Setting the Path (2004), Sharing the Spirit (2007) and Visitors Who Never Left (2009). Newly created works include Spirit Transforming (2012), In Abundance (2014), Flicker (2016), and Mînowin (2019).
Spirit and Tradition Credits:
In honour of Elder Margaret Harris whose wealth of knowledge and wisdom continues to be invaluable in guiding our family.
Elders: Elder Margaret Harris, Elder Betsy Lomax
Cultural Consultants: David Boxley, Lawrence Trottier
Artistic Director and Choreographer: Margaret Grenier
Performers: Nigel Baker-Grenier, Rebecca Baker-Grenier, Andrew Grenier, Margaret Grenier, Raven Grenier, Renée Harris, Scott Harris
Youth Performers: Mixk’aax Baker-Grenier , Pisim-Mohtew Baker-Grenier
Regalia: Rebecca Baker-Grenier, Andrew Grenier, Margaret Grenier, Chantal Harris
Carvers: Jim Charlie, Andrew Grenier, Scott Harris
Songs: Andrew Grenier, Margaret Grenier, Raven Grenier, Lawrence Trottier
Projection and Lighting Designer: Andy Moro
Projection and Set Artwork: Andrew Grenier
Sound Design: Ted Hamilton
Production Manager: Andrew Grenier
Technical Director: Andy Moro
Production Assistant: Carlos Castillo
The Dancers of Damelahamid acknowledge the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples upon whose lands we have created this work. We thank the teachings and guidance of our Elders and mentors, and the foundation that was laid for us by previous generations.
Spirit and Tradition was created with the support of:
Social Media Contest:
Tell us about your viewing experience for a chance to win one of three amazing prizes!
We’d love to hear from you after you’ve watched Spirit and Tradition! Can you share one sentence about your experience of the performance? How did it make you feel? What images or thoughts did it bring up? Everyone who shares with us will be entered for a chance to win one of three prize packages that New Works is offering. We’ve chosen to support three local Artists who are connected to the Downtown Eastside: Lynn-Marie Angus from Sisters Sage Products (3 bath bombs, 2 handmade soap, 2oz Cedar Smudge), Jolene Williams (a dream catcher) and Jenna Breuer from Enterprising Women Making Art (beaded earrings).
Instructions:
- To enter the contest, simply create a post or a story on social media (either some text, a photo or a video) to tell us about your experience of watching Spirit and Tradition by Dancers of Damelahamid. This can be done on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Alternatively, you can also enter the contest by sending us an email at marketing@newworks.ca to tell us about your experience!
- Make sure to tag New Works (so that we can find your post!) Facebook: @newworks Instagram: @newworks_dance Twitter: @NewWorks
- We’ll draw three winners on December 1st. We’ll contact you via social media or email and you’ll have 48 hours to claim your prize. If we don’t hear back from you, we’ll draw another name from our list. If you win a prize, it will be sent to you by mail.
About the artists:
Lynn-Marie Angus Sisters Sage, Indigenous Wellness, www.SistersSage.com
Jenna Breuer is an Indigenous Artist affiliated with Enterprising Women Making Art (EWMA) EWMA is a program of Atira Women’s Arts Society. The program encourages women to sell their art and handmade products as an act of personal, community and economic empowerment.Blending art, community and social entrepreneurship, EWMA works with emerging female & female-identified artists in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to participate in a democratic and equitable social enterprise that coordinates the pooling of resources to produce and market women’s visual art and handmade products.
Jolene Williams is a recipient of a DTES Small Arts Grant Award. She creates Dream Catchers. People will see her traditional cultural practice with a modern interpretation. Using traditional and contemporary materials, her sophisticated work appeals to a broad audience.