dance Immersion is a presenting organization that connects artists, communities, and audiences at many levels.
Our three main programming platforms – Education, Incubation, Presentation – are interrelated and serve intergenerational communities. Our growing Legacy Series and Youth Mentorship programming combine the platforms.
Browse the tabs below for further information.
Canadian Presentations + International Presentations + Summer Showcases
We present dance-based works in indoor and outdoor theatrical spaces, selecting and commissioning works in various dance styles by artists and choreographers from the African Diaspora living in Canada and abroad. dance Immersion residencies, workshops and talk-backs are connected to these public presentations.
CANADIAN ARTIST PRESENTATIONS
Each season, we showcase established, mid-career and emerging dance artists from across Canada in presentations staged primarily in Toronto. A brief history of the many Canadian artists and dance companies presented to date includes:
SUMMER SHOWCASES
Our Canadian presentations have included annual outdoor Summer Showcases in the Greater Toronto Area as part of the TD Irie Music Festival featuring many of the artists listed above.
Trailer Video: Tabanka Dance Ensemble/dance Immersion Presentation 2020
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST PRESENTATIONS
We work to bring some of the most exciting African Diasporic artists and companies from around the world to Canada to delight audiences, inspire local artists, and educate us on their perspectives. Some of the many international artists presented include:
Residencies + In-Studio Showcases + Doing Our Thing
dance Immersion incubation programs help professional artists develop new choreographic skills, create or expand dance works, and share works informally to gather feedback before they reach the performance stage.
RESIDENCIES
We are expanding our paid residency programming for professional artists providing access to free studio space, artist fees and mentorship by established artists, engaging both Canadian and international artists in the process. We aim to give artists more time and resources to develop their work before it reaches audiences. In addition, we periodically connect local artists with international dance companies, securing artist-in-residence opportunities for Canadian artists to expand their craft and their networks on the global stage.
IN-STUDIO PRESENTATIONS
These interactive gatherings help artists workshop their choreographic works in progress, and are often held at the conclusion of a Workshop Series residency. They include work by our feature guest instructor on the same program with artists testing out exciting new creations. Audience participants are treated to a variety of work from both emerging and professional artists at our In-Studio Presentations.
Video: Alejandra Nuñez/dance Immersion Doing Our Thing 2017
DOING OUR THING
This initiative is designed for artists of all artistic disciplines seeking contemporary tools and ideas for exploring and expanding their artistic practices. The events foster more collaborative art-making by providing day-long interdisciplinary workshops lead by established dance, music, literary, visual, media, and/or spoken-word artists, followed by performances by the workshop leaders. Lead artists have included:
Workshop Series + Youth Arts Program + Bantaba
dance Immersion’s educational programs serve professional artists, youth interested in the arts, and the public. They include live and online movement workshops, music practicums, and discussions on the current state of society as viewed through the artist’s lens.
WORKSHOP SERIES
dance Immersion’s popular workshop series brings international and Canadian artists into the studio to deliver movement and music classes and choreographic laboratories. The workshops are offered for different age groups and levels of experience to allow professional, new generation, and youth dance artists to expand their craft. The workshop leaders often present a brief dance work in our In-Studio Presentations on the bill with other artists showing works in progress. To date, workshop leaders have included:
Video: Alesandra Seutin/dance Immersion Workshop 2015
YOUTH ARTS PROGRAM (YAP)
Our Youth Arts Program provided a nurturing and supportive environment where children and youth are given the opportunity to build self esteem and self discipline through expressions that relate to them. We have offered a diverse range of programs to youth designed for community involvement, exchange and education. Our most significant YAP program worked with NGOMA to offer drum and dance classes. NGOMA is an ensemble of performers who capture the essence of their cultural heritage through drum with a distinctive contemporary vibe. NGOMA is committed to honoring their ancestry through the dynamic presentation of drum pieces that educate, empower and embrace the majesty of African Heritage, and continues their work throughout the GTA today. To date, three generations of youth have worked extensively with NGOMA. We continue to offer extensive programming for youth through our Youth Mentorship Program, which includes work with NGOMA and many other youth groups, theatres, and venues.
BANTABA
With our Online Bantaba & Check-In we are introducing more virtual discussions to our programming. The word Bantaba is from the Mandinka people of West Africa meaning “spiritual circle” around which the community gathers for affirmation and confirmation of self purpose. This platform allows for sharing experiences while offering support and solutions to reduce the impact of societal ups and downs on our beings. Our first Bantaba speaker in 2020 was Rodney Diverlus on the topic of Black Lives Matter. The events include a presentation and Q & A.
Educational Symposia + New Work Incubation + Presentation
dance Immersion’s Legacy Series is an award-winning movement toward cultural reconnection, reclamation, and expanded artistic development for African Diasporic dance artists of all levels in Canada.
The Legacy Series examines the past, present and future of popular African Diasporic dance forms through celebratory educational events. It is dance Immersion’s largest program encompassing all three of our programming platforms – education, incubation, and presentation.
Each annual event in the series includes:
Thus far, Legacy Series presentations have garnered seven (7) Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, and three (3) Award wins: One for Outstanding Production in Dance with Holla Jazz for “Young, Gifted & Jazz” (2023); one for Outstanding Sound Design in Dance for Alexa Belgrave for “Young, Gifted & Jazz” (2023); and one for Outstanding Performance in Dance for Travis Knights as part of the “Legacy Tap Concert” (2022).
The Legacy Series would not be possible without the support of TD Bank Group, Toronto Arts Council’s Open Door Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Hart House, Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council Artist-Presenter Collaboration Program.
Artistic Directors: Travis Knights (Brampton) and Lisa La Touche (Calgary)
Faculty: The Artistic Directors with Brinae Ali (Baltimore), Brill Barrett (Chicago), Danny Nielsen (Vancouver), Michael Shand (Toronto), and Mafa Makhubalo (Toronto), with Toronto-based musicians Jonathan Chapman, Amhed Mitchel, Anthony D’Alessandro, Jennifer Lo, and Kwasi Dunyo.
Documentarian: Laurie Townshend
Artistic Director: Natasha Powell (Toronto)
Faculty: E. Moncell Durden (Los Angeles/Philadelphia) and Breai Michele (Baltimore), with musicians Alexa Belgrave (Toronto), Worrell McFarlane (Brampton), Caleb Klager (Toronto), and Kwasi Dunyo (Toronto). Guests included Seika Boye (Toronto), Michele Moss (Calgary), and Sabine Ndalamba (Toronto).
Documentarian: Laurie Townshend
Artistic Director: Marcus “O.G/Ademi” Paris (Toronto)
Faculty: Mark “Brui5er” Sheats (Netherlands), Vladimir “7Starr” Laurore (Laval), Jamari “Rhino” Whittaker (Toronto), Big Rulez (France/Toronto), and The Queen of Krump Marquisa “Miss Prissy” McCray (Texas/Los Angeles).
Documentarian: Ella Cooper
Artistic Director: Timea Wharton-Suri
Faculty: Dr. ‘Funmi Adewole Elliott (UK/Nigeria), Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison (Ghana/Bermuda/Toronto), Tyedric Hill (International), Mark “Brui5er” Sheats (Netherlands), Nubian Néné (New York/Montreal), Brinae Ali (Baltimore), and The Queen of Krump Marquisa “Miss Prissy” McCray (Texas/Los Angeles).
Documentarian: Ella Cooper
ABOUT THE INAUGURAL EVENT – LEGACY SERIES: TAP DANCE 2021 – 2022
Our first iteration – Legacy Series: Tap Dance – connected the local Black community to Tap Dance and its historical significance to Black culture. Led by Lisa La Touche and Travis Knights, attendees received a practical, theoretical, and metaphysical introduction to the original American street dance – Tap. Attendees were challenged by learning the intricate and groove-based physicality of Tap, as well as the distinction between the Black cultural expression of the dance and the many appropriated forms that became popular at different periods in Turtle Island’s history. Along with invited guest artists, live music in the classroom, a jam session and a social ball, this event enhanced the understanding and appreciation of the scope of Blackness through Tap Dance culture.
Renowned faculty members included: Bril Barrett (Chicago), Brinae Ali (Baltimore), Danny Nielsen (Vancouver), Mafa Makhubalo (Toronto), and Natasha Powell (Toronto). Musicians Michael Shand, Jonathan Chapman, Amhed Mitchel, Anthony D’Alessandro, Jennifer Lo, and Kwasi Dunyo collaborated with the faculty to provide live music education and performance throughout the event.
The Tap Dance Symposium took place at Hart House, University of Toronto, from December 3-5, 2021. We are grateful for their partnership and support in making this event happen.
The Artistic Directors incubated new work over the spring of 2022, and we presented it at the Legacy Series: Tap Dance Concert in June 2022 in High Park as part of the Canadian Stage Dream in High Park. The presentation garnered five (5) Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, and Travis Knights won the award for Outstanding Performance in Dance by an Individual for 2022.
Image of the inaugural Legacy Series by Laurie Townshend.
dance Immersion’s Youth Mentorship Programming has evolved over our 30 years of experience in programming impactful engagements for youth requiring artistic and business skill development, deeper cultural connection, after-school activities, and career-building knowledge. We have provided: Years of West African dance and drum education in partnership with NGOMA Ensemble; one-on-one mentorship between choreographers and youth dancers; two separate year-long arts administration and the business of dance mentorship programs with work placements; intergenerational In-Studio Showcases to present the dance work of youth along side that of professionals; and a dedicated, sold-out Youth Showcase to provide professional-level experience and networking for Black-led youth performing arts groups.
Currently, our Youth Mentorship Programming includes:
Our exciting new digital mentorship toolkit that will provide insights for all emerging dance artists in the areas of The Business of Dance; Support Systems; Crafting & Developing a Dance Work; Working with Collaborators; and Self & Community Care. This first-of-its-kind digital toolkit is to be released by the summer of 2025, and its development was supported by the RBC Emerging Artist Program and George Brown College Dance Department. To ensure the widest group of Canadian youth artists possible can access this extensive learning tool, we are seeking support for its website development and outreach. No other such toolkit has been created in Canada, an none featuring insights from some of Toronto’s leading Black dance artists.
This large-scale national festival event includes:
• One week of career and technical workshops for all youth in the Greater Toronto Area
• A one-of-a-kind Youth Presentation, featuring 10 festival-length performances by Black-led youth groups to guide the youth toward professional performance careers
• One week of choreographic workshops for all professional dance artists in the Greater Toronto Area
• A national showcase of eight (8) of Canada’s most renowned Black-led professional dance companies
• A networking session to connect the youth with the professional artists
• A presenter’s forum for performing groups to meet with presenters to enhance future career opportunities.
For the Youth Training Intensive portion of the Festival, we are providing essential financial support and mentor expertise to Black-led youth groups to develop and strengthen their dance works before they are presented on the professional stage. Here, they receive high-level access to new artistic skills, teamwork and leadership training, and career knowledge that cannot be provided by their after-school programs and studios. This 4-week intensive before the Festival ensures strong, professional training for these talented yet underserved youth.
The Immersion Mentorship Program is an initiative geared towards exchanging knowledge between established Black artists and emerging Black artists within the Toronto arts community. Through this program, established artist mentors are paired with youth choreographers/mentees to exchange artistic knowledge, guidance, and support as they develop or expand the mentee’s dance work. The program also includes open-access seminars on tools for building a successful dance career. The principal goal of this program is to provide the mentees with the necessary tools to thrive, create strong artistic work, and build their creative careers by connecting them with experience, space and guidance.
Originally offered in 2019, Legacy Leaders may be offered again in the near future. This extensive initiative is a collaborative project between arts organizations in Toronto, who have come together to offer an Arts Administration Training Program geared towards individuals who identify as Black or as individuals of African Descent, residing in Toronto or the GTA.
Our objective is to help build and support business/arts administration capacity for dance organizations while creating a platform for emerging arts administrators to gain practical experience. Participants are immersed in an experiential learning environment while receiving marketable administrative skills. This collaborative training program is a hybrid between a traditional classroom setting and hands on-learning.
Partner organizations included Esie Mensah Creations, KasheDance, COBA, NGOMA, PIECE of MINE Arts, Ronald Taylor Dance, Roots & Branches, and UrbanArts. The program was possible due to the generous support of The City of Toronto and United Way Canada.
The MentorMe Initiative offers progressive training for young people through mentorship, consultations, seminars, and hands-on practicums that provide important skills needed to achieve arts career goals. This program is conducted over one year to allow for contemplation and gestation. The MentorMe activities nurture both administrative and artistic skills in a 12-month program that focuses on helping artists implement their ideas into fully-realized projects.