INFrinGinG Dance Festival

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Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Crimson Coast Dance hosts the 25th Annual InFrinGinG Dance Festival at various venues around Nanaimo from Wednesday, July 5th to Sunday July 9th. Scheduled to coincide with the Dragon Boat Festival, InFrinGinG Dance Festival invites audiences to “dance in the belly of the dragon.”

For a quarter-century, the InFrinGinG Dance Festival has been a cornerstone event, bringing together dancers, artists, and community members to commemorate the transformative power of dance. This year's milestone edition marks a significant achievement in the festival's history and serves as a testament to its enduring legacy.

InFrinGinG Dance Festival has become synonymous with creating memorable shared experiences that define and strengthen the local community. Through a diverse range of dance events, the festival encapsulates the values, inspirations, and beauty that resonate within Nanaimo and beyond.

Holly Bright, the Artistic Managing Director of InFrinGinG, expresses her excitement about the festival's milestone year, stating, "We are incredibly proud to celebrate 25 years of InFrinGinG Dance Festival. This event has become a vital part of our community, bringing people together and showcasing the exceptional art form of dance. We invite everyone to join us as our esteemed guests at this remarkable celebration!"

These community events involve music, dance and community celebration, and feature local and visiting artists. Festival highlights include performances at the Port Theatre: nehiyawewin by Sandra Lamoushe, Confluence by Raven Spirit Dance, Grandmama Speak with Shayna Jones (featuring Rufus Cappadochia on cello), Unboxing Bravery: An Exploration of Gender and Trans Allyship Through Drag by Lauren Semple, and A Song of Years by Ted Robinson with Genevieve Johnson and Holly Bright. Events at Maffeo Sutton Park include qw’uyul’ush’utl swy a lana Dancing at Swy a lana, curated and hosted by Tsatassaya White, and A Glimpse of India, curated by Suhki Sangha. Culture House and KidsZone (with PLAYBRIOLA and VI Face painting) return during outdoor festivities.

This years’ festival features an Inclusive Dance Performance, by our monthly Mixed Abilities Dance Jam participants (in partnership with Nanaimo Assisted Community Living). The Festival also features a Community Drum and Didgeridoo Circle, and Ocean Roaring (SPLASHmob), a site-specific performance work by Anya Saugstad and Artists with live, improvised score by Marlene Ginader taking place on Friday at Swy a lana Lagoon, and Saturday morning at Neck Point Park. This year we close the Festival with a special treat: an integrated journey of yoga, live music, cacao and sound bath with Christopher Mapstone, Iselin Iona and co-produced with Central HeARTh.

At the heart of InFrinGinG Dance Festival is a celebration of cultural diversity and artistic expression. The festival provides a platform for culturally identifying artists to share the power of their stories through dance. Audiences can expect a vibrant and captivating program that showcases a fusion of traditional and contemporary dance styles, creating a tapestry of cultural exchange and understanding.

As Nanaimo and the surrounding region come alive with the joyous spirit of dance, InFrinGinG Dance Festival invites locals and visitors alike to be part of this momentous occasion. It is an invitation to revel in the beauty and power of movement, to connect with diverse cultures, and to embrace the transformative energy of dance.

For more information about the 25th InFrinGinG Dance Festival, including the performance schedule, workshop details, and ticket information, please visit

https://crimsoncoastdance.com/2023-infringing-dance-festival/

or contact Holly Bright at [email protected]