“Art Starts in partnership with Lawrence Heights youth and LetsStopAIDS are proud to present “Words in Motion”, an African dance showcase exploring the topics of sexual health and healthy relationships on Tuesday November 5th from 6pm to 7pm at the Yorkdale Community Arts Centre.
The performance is the culmination of an innovative program called “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communities” that brought Lawrence Heights youth together with acclaimed dancer and choreographer Lua Shayenne and peer educators from the youth-led charity LetsStopAIDS. Over the course of 8 weeks the group delved into sexual health from a holistic perspective. Topics such as relationships, alcohol and drug use, sexuality and body image were explored through interactive workshops involving African dance, drumming and open dialogue. Participants learned how to express thoughts and feelings through traditional African dance all the while building their own capacity to make healthy lifestyle choices. The November 5th performance, “Words in Motion”, is the creative culmination of their learning and a showcase of their inspiration for positive social change in their community.
“It’s really cool because the program takes a really awkward topic and turns it into something that we can share not only amongst ourselves but with the world” says 16-year old participant Claudia Howards.
The participating youth having been working with Art Starts for over three years in an ongoing multidisciplinary performance program called The Element. Each season, the youth participants explore a different aspect of performance tied to themes that are most relevant in their lives.
“This program is a creative journey that addresses important issues of sexual health and healthy living in a way that feels safe to participants” says Program Manager Alicia Clarke. “The Words in Motion showcase gives the participants the space to share their experiences and feelings in an impactful way.”
Art Starts is a charitable organization that just celebrated 21 years of creating art and community in Toronto’s underserved neighbourhoods. Art Starts has pioneered community-engaged arts practices in Ontario and was awarded the prestigious Arts for Youth Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation in 2013. http://www.artstarts.net
LetsStopAIDS is a youth-driven Canadian charity that inspires youth to take action, relating to HIV, within local communities.
Lua Shayenne & Co. presents contemporary and traditional African dance works that explore current subject matters with the aim to be a vehicle for spiritual and social progress. Choreographer and founder, Lua Shayenne draws on the aesthetics and values of traditional African dance and culture to create dance pieces that seek to upset and challenge multiple conventions and stereotypes.
WHO: Lawrence Heights Youth, LetsStopAIDS & Art Starts
WHAT: “Words in Motion” performance showcase
WHEN: Tuesday November 5th, 6pm – 7pm
WHERE: Yorkdale Community Arts Centre, Lower Level of Yorkdale Mall, access Lower Level via the elevators beside the Home Outfitters escalators.
For more information, please visit http://www.artstarts.net.”
-from Art Starts press release (October 29th, 2013)
Read Art Starts’ profile in our Community-Engaged Arts Directory and Map
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