Pamela Tagle

Community as Mentor (2022)

Pamela Tagle
Community as Mentor (2022)

Community as Mentor

The Carnegie Dance Troupe and Karen Jamieson Dance

2022

About

Exploring themes through dance, music and poetry, this work-in-progress weaves together new choreographic directions with The Carnegie Dance Troupe’s repertoire. Through a process of co-remembering and welcoming contributions, we focused on the ensemble as a whole, with troupe members that are present, and those who have passed:

Ricky Lavallie, Sarah Good, Peter Siah, Roger Howie, Dean Obrol, Joan Morelli, Robyn Livingstone

Healing themes of ocean and forest, trees and roots as well as the animals within have emerged – the deer, the bear, the salmon, the orca… A sense of gratitude, adventure and joy emerges from our practice of connection to our bodies and together as a group. We hope the witnessing of this process also transforms you in that way.

When:
Heart of the City Festival
November 6, 2022

Where:
Goldcorp Centre for the Arts - SFU Woodwards
Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre

Free

This showing was part of our Dance In and For the Community Program and our Mentorship Program.

Since 2006 the principle supporting The Carnegie Dance Troupe is absolute inclusivity. Performances are created through a process of collaboration, seeking to connect us to our body, to our breath, to the energy of the earth, to each other and our diverse communities.

The People

Choreography: Karen Jamieson and Rianne Svelnis in collaboration with The Carnegie Dance Troupe

Artistic Director & Workshop Leader: Karen Jamieson

Workshop Leader & Mentee to Karen Jamieson: Rianne Svelnis

Music Director: Mike Richter

Musician and Indigenous Music Consultant: Anthony McNab Favel (Cree)

Musicians: Chong, Su Chol & Cindy Fedora

Songs, Dances, Poems:

  • ‘Gathering Song’ – Shared by Sarah ‘Salautia’ Good (Snunneymuxw) performed by Deborah Charlie (Lillooet) with permission from Sara Good’s family

  • ‘Grandchild’ – Poem written & performed by Dallas (Cowichan), flute Anthony McNab Favel (Cree)

  • ‘Swirling the Universe’ – Dance created by Henry Wong, from traditional theme. Music Mike Richter

  • Deer Dance – Dance created by Deborah Charlie (Lillooet)

  • Orca – Namgis Welcome Song. Permission given by Chief Bobby Joseph to Priscilla Tait, danced originally by Priscillia Tait (Wet’suwet’en), danced today by Lance Lim, Louise Wong, Shelley Cox. Drumming and signing Mike Richter

  • The Orchard Road (Korean) – sung by Chong, Su Chol

  • Song – Composed by Russel Wallace (St'át'imc) sung by Cindy Fedora with permission from Russel Wallace

  • Friendship Dance’ – Dance shared by Deborah Charlie (Lillooet) music by Anthony McNab Favel (Cree)

Performers, Workshop Participants, Contributors

  • Deborah Charlie (Lillooet)

  • Dallas (Cowichan)

  • Heather Blais

  • Henry Wong

  • Iris Kujansuu

  • Shelley Cox

  • Louise Wong

  • Anj

  • Lance Lim

  • Wendy Jones (Plains Cree - Wahseeya)

  • Kadi Purru

  • Fernande Faulkner

  • Rianne Svelnis 

Paddle carved and painted by: Ron Laprise (Dene Nation, Saskatchewan)

Photo & Video: Chris Randle

Production Assistant: Charlotte Leonard

Project Management: Pamela Tagle

 
Thank you! Heart of the City Festival

 
Partners: Carnegie Community Centre and SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement.

Funders: Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Province of BC, City of Vancouver

 

Excerpt of Community as Mentor (Work-in-Progress) performance at Heart of the City Festival, 2022. Video by Chris Randle.