Dancing for people and planet

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This article was published 20/04/2024 (778 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s time to take out your dancing shoes.

Winnipeggers are gearing up to groove for the planet this weekend at The Forks for the second annual Earth Day flash mob and dance showcase.

Organized by Climate Change Connection, the event aims to unite communities while highlighting climate change issues through the universal language of dance.

“We need to bring people together and recognize that we have shared values,” says Jennifer MacRae, an event organizer.

Starting Sunday at 3:30 p.m., The Forks will fill with rhythmic beats and vibrant colours from various dance groups, each bringing their cultural heritage to the stage. From the energetic rhythms of Rylee Sandberg, an Indigenous hoop dancer, to the rich K-pop traditions of the Illicit dance crew, MacRae says there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

More than 150 youth from different schools and youth groups, along with various adult dance groups, will participate in the flash mob.

“It’s a showcase of different cultures,” MacRae says “We can all appreciate what we have and how important it is to live in harmony with the planet and each other.”

Ritmos del Perú is a local dance troupe representing Peru’s cultural heritage.

“When we are together as a group, we share different experiences and feel better,” says dancer Katherine Arias. “We forget about all the problems that immigration brings to us — and not just immigration but life in general, so we’re not just a dance group but a safe space for each other, a community.”

Ritmos del Perú, created last year in June with six women, has now expanded to 18 members, including men, some being husbands of the women in the group. Arias says they were happy to be invited to the showcase and see it as an honour.

“Also, it’s Earth Day, and we think it’s important to show people that we are here and each of us can make a change,” she says.

Adding to the cultural tapestry, the University of Winnipeg Bhangra dance group will bring the energetic folk dance from Punjab to centre stage.

Lavmeet Singh created the group in February 2023 and teaches Bhangra free of charge at the U of W.

Bhangra, the traditional dance of Punjab, originates from a dance form devised by farmers to celebrate the cycle of food cultivation, harvesting and their bond with the land.

Bhangra has since emerged as a joyful expression of agricultural traditions and connection to the Earth.

Singh says though the troupe is only a year old, it has grown rapidly and performed at various events, including Folklorama. In preparation for the showcase, the group has practised at least twice a week for the past month.

“We want to engage more with the community, and I think that dance or any virtual activity is a way to connect with people,” Singh says.

“I think the Indian community doesn’t know much about Earth Day, so when we perform there, it’s an opportunity for them to learn about it.”

The Inka Warriors Dance Group, which celebrates the traditions of Peruvian culture, will also bring its special flair to the event.

“We started with just two people and now we’ve grown to 10,” says co-founder Alexandra Mojorovich. “We’re all women, and we create everything ourselves — our resources, tools and costumes. I personally design the costumes.”

Some materials, such as the skirts they’ll wear on Sunday, are particularly hard to find, she says, noting they are an integral part of the dance known as the Marinera.

The Marinera is a graceful courtship dance and musical genre originating from the Peruvian coast. Dancers in the Marinera elegantly re-enact romantic courtship gestures, circling, spinning and promenading, often adding flair with handkerchiefs.

Since starting the group last year, they’ve incorporated other Peruvian dance styles, such as jungle dance and the ghost dance, and live traditional music into the show, Mojorovich says.

The showcase is free and is part of The Forks’ Earth Day weekend festivities. In addition to the dance performances, there will be opportunities for attendees to learn about environmental solutions and get involved in local initiatives.

“We’ll have a booth set up with opportunities for people to learn more about how they can get involved in climate change,” says MacRae.

The showcase promises to be a day filled with joy, unity, and inspiration, she says.

tvera@academic.rrc.ca