Halifax 
Events Description
Co-Presented with Live Art Dance Sky Dancers is a universal story that touches on themes of disaster, families, community and resilience whose impacts have echoed over generations. It is also about building bridges culturally.
In the early 1900’s construction finally began to build a bridge between the south shore and the north shore of the St Lawrence river in the proximity of Quebec City. The planned bridge was to be the largest cantilever bridge and would have the longest span of any bridge in the world at that time.
In late summer 1907, as construction was progressing, the Bridge collapsed killing 33 high steel workers from the small Mohawk community of Kahnawake. The bridge fell due to arrogance and errors made by the lead engineer and the fallout was felt around the world. Unfortunately for the Mohawks of Kahnawake, the bridge collapsing was only the beginning of the disaster. After the event, the Quebec government and Roman Catholic Church conspired together and descended on Kahnawake and coerced many of the recently widowed women into giving up their children to residential schools.
The effects of which remain present to this day. Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo is Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) of mixed heritage originally from Kahnawake, now living in Montreal. Barbara 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 themes, stories, and perspectives, often 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 forms of dance and graduated with a BFA in theatre from Concordia University and from the Native Theatre School. She takes great pride in regularly sharing her culture and has performed across Canada and internationally.
Some of her most recent work was performed at the Banff Centre, the Montreal Olympic Stadium, the National Arts Centre, the Confederation Centre for the Arts PEI, Harbourfront Centre, Place des Arts, Prismatic Arts Festival, and Festival Quartiers Danses. She was one of only 8 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. Barbara also works with various organizations, including La Danse sur les routes du Quebec and Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, to educate, help create safe spaces, and support Indigenous artists across the globe. Her goals are to inspire others, encourage cultural pride, uplift the spirit, and increase education and communication.
Who is it for?
All ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : $15-$30
$30 for General Admission
$15 for Students and Underwaged
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date:
Thursday, Sept 30th | 8pm
Venue & Address
Spatz Theatre, 1855 Trollope St, Halifax, NS
Wheelchair accessible
