662

May 20–22, 2022

Sky Dancers

A’nó:wara Dance Theatre

Quebec

This stunning dance piece explores the devastating impacts of the Quebec Bridge disaster of 1907 and the generational connections between communities who ultimately persevere amid tragedy. 

Play Video An image of a performer for Sky Dancers

Photo by Brian Medina

JUNIOR

Overview

A visually stunning dance piece exploring the impacts of the Quebec Bridge disaster of 1907, which killed 33 Mohawk ironworkers from the community of Kahnawake. When the bridge collapsed while under construction, it caused a wave of after-effects that stretched out to the whole world. It is a universal story that touches on themes of disaster, families, community, resilience and building bridges between people and generations. Using both contemporary and traditional practices, direct descendant of this disaster Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo brings the past to the present in a way that will enthrall and resonate with audiences while deepening understanding of Indigenous people’s history. 

Wat’kathon tseriio kanon’nia kaka’enions sontons’kwenne tia’ontarikon 1907. Ahsen niwahsen ahsen kanienkehaka wahon’niheie kahnawakeronon. Nonen son’tons’kwenne sihotiiote, ohontsakwekon wa’onttoke tsina’awenne. Ohontsakwekon waont’toke nonen watkanions’kenne, kahwatsire, kanatakwekon ia’kotaska, tanon a’ions’kwaketsko tsinateiontere onkweson’a. Ioriwase tanon saoiera watston, thonitia’kotwatsirinon satewatenon’ianihte Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo iehawi tsiniiawen’en tsiniiore onwa, entiako’nikonhra’tihentho ine en’ioteroroke aieienter’hane onkwehonwe tsinition’kwenon.

About A’nó:wara Dance Theatre 

Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo leads the A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. Originally from Kahnawake, and now living in Montreal, Quebec, Barbara is Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) and has been a dancer and choreographer for more than 25 years. She specializes in combining traditional First Nation dance and contemporary styles, and her goal is to inspire others, encourage cultural pride, uplift the spirit and increase education and communication. 

About Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo 

Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo is Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) of mixed heritage originally from Kahnawake, now living in Montreal, Quebec. She is currently the Artistic Director and Choreographer of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. An award-winning choreographer and dancer for over 25 years, she specializes in creating works that highlight Indigenous stories by combining powwow, Haudenosaunee dance and mainstream contemporary styles to create a fusion of dance that speaks to many different populations and tastes. She has studied in many dance forms and graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Concordia University and the Native Theatre School. 

She takes great pride in regularly sharing her culture and has performed across Canada and internationally. Her most recent work was performed at the Banff Centre, the Montreal Olympic Stadium, the National Arts Centre, the Confederation Centre of the Arts (PEI), Harbourfront Centre, Place des Arts, Prismatic Festival Halifax and Festival Quartiers Danses. She was one of only eight dancers in North America invited to perform at Gathering of Nations (New Mexico), the world’s largest powwow, in its first-ever hoop dance competition (2015). 

Diabo also works with various organizations, including La Danse sur les routes du Québec and Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, to educate, help create safe spaces and support Indigenous artists across Canada. Her goal is to inspire others, encourage cultural pride, uplift the spirit and increase education. 

Dates & Times

May 20
7:30pm
70 mins

May 21
2pm
70 mins
7:30pm
70 mins

May 22
2pm
70 mins

May 23
– Cancelled

Join us after the 7:30 performance on May 21 for a short Q&A

More Info

The Monday, May 23 performance has been cancelled. Ticket holders will be contacted.

Venue

Fleck Dance Theatre in Queen's Quay Terminal

207 Queens Quay West, 3rd Floor
Follow signs and take escalator or elevator

Google Map

Keywords DancePerformance