Shiamak TV's video: Vancouver Celebrates Dance 2023 I A SHIAMAK Vancouver Initiative

What: Vancouver Celebrates Dance Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, North Plaza When: April 29, 2023 "SHIAMAK Vancouver presented the second edition of "Vancouver Celebrates Dance" to celebrate International Dance Day with some of Vancouver’s leading dance organizations. The unifying event that took place on April 29 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, North Plaza, showcased performances and workshops by 150 dancers from 13 difference dance studios across the Lower Mainland in 13 different dance styles making it one of the most diverse community dance events Vancouver has ever witnessed. From Bollywood to Kollywood, Belly Dancing to Samba, Flamenco to Hip Hop, Bharat Natyam to Bhangra, the performances and dance workshops were enjoyed by children and adults of all ages and abilities." - Glen D'Mello (Creative Director - Vancouver Celebrates Dance) The free public event was attended and enjoyed by hundreds of people from different cultures. Vancouver Celebrates Dance was organized by SHIAMAK Vancouver, BC’s Premier Bollywood Dance School currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary and Shiamak’s Victory Arts Foundation, a non-profit that empowers individuals through dance and performing arts. Featured Performers (in order of appearance in the video) 1. Seymour Dance (Hip Hop) 2. Sudnya Dance Academy (Bharata Natyam) 3. Jewels of the Orient (Belly Dancing) 4. SHIAMAK Vancouver (Bollywood) 5. Karthik Nats Group (Kollywood) 6. The Source Dance Company (Hip Hop & Contemporary) 7. Shiamak's VICTORY Arts Foundation (Bollywood) 8. Jolene (Punjabi Drag Queen) 9. Samba Fusion (Samba) 10. Amed Dance Academy (Middle Eastern) 11. Linda Hayes & Liat Harlev (Flamenco) 12. Jesse Kim & Kevin Li (Popping) 13. Folk Star Arts Academy (Bhangra) 14. Jarrett Carlington (Hip Hop) “Vibrant, diverse, and colorful! Our dancers so enjoyed being part of the VCD 2023 and being able to show off their own moves in a welcoming outdoor community setting!” – Susan Juilfs (parent of a VICTORY Dance Team member) “Wonderful to see dancers of all ages, ethnicity and ability joining together to celebrate dance. The support from the audience for all the dancers was reaffirming that there are things in the world like music and dance that bring us all together.” – Rosemary Ramsay (parent of a VICTORY Dance Team member) “Vancouver Celebrates Dance was such an amazing way to bring our local community together as one. Dance is a way to express yourself and your passion. Being able to do this with other communities really made it extra special! Thank you for having us and we hope to see you again next year!” – Komal Sandhu, Director - Folk Star Arts Academy (Bhangra) “We loved how so many different styles of dance were brought together to be showcased and celebrated as one and the support all the dancers gave each other.” – Lauren Overholt, Director - Seymour Dance “Vancouver Celebrates Dance was truly a welcoming event. We were happy to be able to represent MENAHT dances and share them with the audience.” – Victoria Nephtys, Jamilla Juliana, Karima, Rafi, (Jewels of the Orient - Belly Dance Group) “I had a lot of fun performing at Vancouver Celebrates Dance on International Dance Day. It was great to see the different styles of dance and the different cultures that fuel them. It was also great to see so many people come together and celebrate a day that celebrates something that means so much to me.” - Jesse Kim (Popping) “Dance connects everyone despite their caste, community, or religion. I have heard this many times, but I got to experience it at Vancouver Celebrates Dance. Very grateful for the opportunity.” - Karthik Natarajan, Director - Dance with Karthik Nats (Kollywood). Video Credit: Geoff Webb Audio Edit for this Video: Hiten Rane (DJ Hi10)