Medicine Bear goes West!
KDT is heading to BC again as part of the 2012/2013 Medicine Bear tour.
Medicine Bear teaches virtues of compassion, thankfulness and respect for elders and environment in a way that is playful and thought provoking for young and family audiences. Culturally and artistically rich, the performance includes characters: feisty Lil’Bear; kind-hearted Bear Clan woman KoKwari; clumsy young hunter Radolats; omnipotent Great Spirit/Todah and luminous plant spirit Oh-Gee-Jah.
KDT is thrilled to welcome recent CIT (Centre for Indigenous Theatre) graduate, Alex Twin, to the cast of Medicine Bear. Returning to the stage we are pleased to have KDT core dancer and nationally recognized street style dancer Emily Law and dancer and independent choreographer Jesse Dell.
KDT Performs at Gathering of Nations
We then had the incredible opportunity to perform Kaha:wi woman’s dances to over 2400 participants at the Gathering of Nations for Miss Indian World in celebration of the strength and beauty of the feminine spirit. As we shuffled our feet, we acknowledged the sacredness of the April 25th full Moon, our Life-sustainers and Mother Earth. Congratulations to Miss Indian World Kansas Begay (Navajo Nation) and Six Nations ladies: Brittany Clause (1st Runner up/Best Dancer), Yonenyákenht Jesse Brant (2nd Runner up/Best Talent).
RAVING REVIEWS: Medicine Bear Spring Tour
We wrapped up our Medicine Bear Spring USA tour having had the privilege to offer live performance and represent Onkwehonwe living culture at the National Museum of the American Indian in NYC and Washington, DC.
See where Medicine Bear is going next!
RAVING REVIEWS
I saw your production of Medicine Bear yesterday with my daughter and truly enjoyed it. I can honestly say there were several moments when I was emotionally touched deep in my soul by its beauty, message, and expression. I’m sure you know the feeling – it is very fulfilling. Thank you for showing me how this is possible. If I had to pick a favorite, I especially enjoyed the plant in terms of the interpretation of life and growth. In certain ways it reminded me of some of the Tai Chi and Qi Ging I practice, but it was much more powerful.
- Eric Schlegel, Spring 2013
NEXT MONTH: World Premiere of THE HONOURING
Performances take place at Toronto’s historic Fort York on June 20-22, 2013 at 9:00pm, as part of the Indigenous Arts Festival @ Fort York.
Watch history come to life this summer as Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presents their World Premiere of The Honouring, a site-specific multi-disciplinary performance honouring First Nations warriors of the War of 1812, featuring Onkwehonwe families who sacrificed to protect Haudenosaunee sovereignty, culture and land.
KDT Summer Intensive 2013
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre is thrilled to announce our 5th annual Summer Intensive program taking place from July 8th to August 2nd, 2013 at Dancemakers located in the historical Distillery District.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact us at training@kahawidance.org.
NEW Trailer: TransMigration
Check out our newest TransMigration trailer! We are now accepting booking for touring seasons 2013 – 2015.
National Post Feature: Santee Smith
In the lead up to the North American premiere of Susuriwka – willow bridge - Co-produced with Yokohama Noh Theatre, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and with Harbourfront Centre’s Planet IndigenUS Festival 2012 from Aug 17– 19, 2012 at the Fleck Dance Theatre – Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director, Santee Smith, was featured in the National Post this past week …
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) is one of Canada’s leading contemporary dance companies. Exploring the intersection of Indigenous and new dance performance it is internationally renowned for artistry, creative excellence and collaboration. KDT’s embodiment of spirituality within traditional culture and innovative storytelling is conveyed through cinematic imagery and virtuosic performance that electrifies audiences on the world stage.
Founded by Onkwehonwe Artistic Director and Choreographer Santee Smith (Kahnyen’kehàka – Mohawk Nation). Innovative, transformative and culturally power-packed performances distinguish Santee as one of Canada’s most exciting choreographers.
Kaha:wi (Ga-HA-Wee) means “to carry” in the Mohawk language and is a traditional name for Smith’s family. KDT carries culture through dance, theatre, music and design.
“…[H]er highly charged, traditional/contemporary/ballet fusion eats up the stage…” Globe and Mail
“Smith is a choreographer to watch out for…” Vancouver Sun, 2009
“Her choreography is bold, earthy, sensual and exciting…” FFWD, 2005
