Ahead by a Century: a London childhood 100 years ago
A historical OEV walking tour with pop-up dance performances
presented by the Centre of Movement Arts and the London Heritage Council

Doors Open Weekend
September 21 & 22, 2024
Tours from 11am-12:10pm
and 1-2:10pm
Meet at Queens Park!
925 Dundas St East (beside the Western Fair Market)

Tour Route Begin at Queen’s Park, walk to Carson Library, Lorne Ave Park, and return to Queen’s Park.

It’s 1924 when 7-year-old Audrey gets her first library card and opens a book to embark on a high seas adventure with her neighbourhood friends. As they sail around the world they encounter dances from far-away places and fight pirates before returning home in time for tea. 

Take a trip back in time on a historical walking tour animated with dance performances. This project tells a travelling story about the childhood of Audrey Varty (Bizz’s grandmother), who in 1924 got her first library card and embarked on a book-inspired adventure through the Old East Village with her neighbourhood friends. Directed by Bizz Varty, this site-specific dance theatre experience will feature contemporary, Flamenco and Bellydance by London artists and be performed by multi-generational dance artists alongside community volunteers.

Meet the Cast and Download the Programme

Production Team
Director and Choreographer: Bizz Varty
Production Manager: Laura Sepulveda
Flamenco Choreography & Performance: Flamenco del Sur
Bellydance Choreography & Performance: Rising Moon Bellydance
Core Cast: Samantha Sendas, Haylee Kizito, Florence Brown, Ainsley MacDonald, Millie MacDonald

Order your copy of My Childhood Days by Audrey Varty now!
All proceeds support CMA programming. Physical and digital copies available.

Sunday June 23, 2024 12-2pm
Sound in Motion Studio, 1570 Highbury Ave North

Info session for dancers and parents from 12-12:30pm
Audition from 12:30-2pm

Please Pre-Register Here!

The Centre of Movement Arts is auditioning dancers ages 9-16 for an upcoming choreography project by Bizz Varty. The movement will be contemporary-based, and dancers should have at least 2 years of dance training or self study. Dancers of all styles are welcome. Dress in comfortable dance attire and shoes or bare feet. 

8-10 Dancers will be chosen for the core cast of “Ahead by a Century: A London Childhood 100 years ago.” The project will involve a walking tour in Old East Village with pop up performances at specific locations. There will be four performances, two each day on September 21 and 22, at 11am and 1pm. Dancers will learn and perform approximately 15 minutes of dance during each hour-long tour.

Dancers must be available for 2-3 rehearsal sessions in July and August (dates and times TBD, most likely weekends), as well as a dress rehearsal in September (date TBD). This is an unpaid position.

Please note: All audition participants will be invited to perform in the Doors Open project, however 8-10 dancers will be chosen for lead roles. Lead dancers will have a greater time commitment for learning the dance. Later in the summer there will be a community participation workshop for non-lead dancers to learn and perform a smaller section of the choreography. This will be open to anyone with any experience and will require a smaller time commitment.

We will also be looking for parent and teen volunteers to help supervise dancers, guide audiences on the tour and generally help out with the event.

Questions? Email bizzvarty@gmail.com.

More info on the project coming soon…. stay tuned! 

We are encouraging all local dance artists to send their submissions for this year’s festival, taking place between June 30-July 2. Dance artists of all ages, career stages, and styles are welcome to apply.

Please tell us as much as you can about your proposed dance performance or workshop. *Deadline for submissions is June 1st, EXTENDED TO JUNE 5 2023

Questions? Email us at info@londondancefestival.ca OR learn more here.

PLEASE NOTE: We have a smaller budget again this year and are unable to offer full CADA rates for pieces with more than two professional artists. We are also unable to provide travel or accommodation for artists outside of London this year. If this is a barrier for you, please check back next year!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW

Forest City Nature Experience & Centre of Movement Arts present

A play-based, child-led, movement-rich, fully-outdoor, fun & educational nature immersion experience led by forest school practitioner and certified naturalist Nina Sampson and movement educator Bizz Varty.

Caregivers will follow their kids on an adventure through the various ecosystems in Gibbons Park. Nina and Bizz will provide invitations, tools and skills to deepen participants’ understanding of the natural world. Aimed at ages 3-9, but all ages are welcome! Pre-registration required, sign up here.

Our Nature Club pilot program officially launches April 9. Learn more here.

Call for Dance Month Proposals

Want to offer a workshop, performance, artist talk, or other event for Dance Month? 

We’ll be presenting pop-up events throughout April, and are looking for ideas with a budget of $50-$250.

Got an idea? Send us the following in an email:

• Biography of artist/company (100 words max)
• Budget (tell us who you’re paying and for what)
• Description of event:
  • What will you do?
  • Where will it happen?
  • For how long?
  • Who will watch and/or participate (age, experience)?
  • Why will people love it?

Join us for a casual chat about the state of dance in London. We’ll start with a movement session to get grounded and in sync (approx 45 mins). Then you’re invited to share your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and feedback, and connect with other local dance artists. Free and open to everyone.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED Please stay tuned for a new date

We’re taking the Check-In & Class on tour this year, stopping at dance studios all around town. Get in touch if you’d like us to come to your organization!