DD DanceFEST – a multicultural dance festival for cultural integration

DDDF 2015 Kick-Off PicTORONTO: The Dancing Damsels Inc. – a registered not for profit organization and a multicultural dance promotions company have announced their annual DanceFEST – a fundraiser dance festival showcasing all World Dance Forms on one stage. The event will be held on Saturday, October 24 at Hamazkayin World Class Theatre (Armenian Youth Centre of Toronto, 50 Hallcrown Place, North York) at 6 p.m.

Top Canadian cultural leaders, including ministers, MPs and MPPs will join the Dancing Damsels to celebrate this multicultural dance festival. All Indian dances like Bharathanatyam, Kutchupudi, Mohiniaatam, Kathak, Odissi, Bhangra, Bollywood and international dances like tap dance, contemporary, Flamenco, Salsa, Mexican, Brazilian, Ukranian, Hawaian /Tahitian, African, belly dancing, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, hip hop, jazz, ballet, and waacking, will be showcased in the festival.

Last year more than 200 performers from 30 dance companies showcased 34 different dance styles for the DD DanceFEST. This year they are trying to get more variety dance forms from different dance companies. The main goal of this dance fest is promoting cultural integration and exchange by celebrating arts from all cultures of life. By bringing in all world dance forms on one stage, it is also in line with the motto of the Dancing Damsels: P.E.A.C.E. (PROMOTE -cultural arts and cultural exchange, EMPOWER-women to exercise equal opportunities, APPRECIATE- women success and achievements, CELEBRATE -womanhood and motherhood and ENCOURAGE -women to pursue their dreams and aspirations).

DDDF poster 4 (1)This year, this effort takes on yet another noteworthy cause to use the proceeds of this event to serve the underprivileged. Dancing Damsels is always looking for new ways to support and encourage women to bring in the change by doing their little bit to the community. Dancing Damsels Inc. is indeed proud to have Anu Srivastava, Jayadevan Nair, Mokshi Virk, Mercy Elengikal, Jobson Easow, Joey Verghese, Sudharshan Meenakshisundaram, Balu Naleil, Ramesh Bangalore, Sabita Panigrahi, Pushpa Johnson, Nirmala Thomas, Jayasanakar Pillai, Lata Menon, K Varadharajan and Sandhya Srivatsan on the advisory board.

Earlier, the kick off of the DanceFEST was headed by the chief guest Anu Vittal, Executive Director of Mississauga Arts Council and CEO of AVC, with lighting of the lamp on Mother’s Day event on May 10 at Payal Banquet Hall, Mississauga. Grand sponsor of DD DanceFest 2015 –Manoj Karatha of Remax Realty Inc – inaugurated the sponsorship campaign by handing over the sponsorship cheques.

Under the leadership of Mary Ashok (Managing Director), Fawzia Khan (Chief Executive Director), Shobha Sekhar (Program Director), Bhavna Bhatnagar (Artistic Director), Asha Vishwanath (Marketing and Media) Kushalini Kumar (Sponsorships), Manjula Das (Ticket Sales) and Suganya Sivaraja (Volunteering), a big team of volunteers are working hard behind the scene for the success of this event.

The early bird ticket pricing for this dazzling event is $20 for regular seating and $50 for priority seating which is available till August 31. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ddshows.com and also by contacting anyone of the Team DD. For more info, tickets and sponsorship enquiries, you can contact: Mary Ashok (Managing Director) : 416-788-6412, Fawzia Khan (Chief Executive Director) : 647-793-4959, Kushalini Kumar(Sponsorships): 647-633-6146.

 

 

Report by: Asha Vishwanath