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
Old East Village
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.
This project will celebrate the history of London’s Old East Village and animate the 2024 Doors Open theme of “Live. Work. Play. In the Forest City.” It will enliven public spaces with professional dance, provide accessible dance experiences to Londoners, and deepen connections of audiences and participants to each other and the OEV community.
This project is being funded by the London Heritage Council, but is also in large part a volunteer labour of love to honour my grandmother and connect to the community. In addition to hiring dancers, we are looking for donors, funders, and sponsors to support the work of our artistic team and increase access to the project.
Official Doors Open Ontario Listing
Meet the Cast and Download the Programme
Inspiration
This dance was inspired by Bizz’s grandmother’s childhood, growing up at 527 Quebec Street, just down the block from the Carson library. Granny Audrey was a great reader, as well as a writer and visual artist.
Bizz heard these stories from her first-hand, and they live on in Audrey’s self-published memoirs “My Childhood Days”, which is available at the London Public Library’s London Room archives.
Support the CMA: Order your copy of My Childhood Days now!
Visit our Instagram to view reels explaining more about the project
Sponsor, Donate, or Volunteer to support the artists involved
Help spread the word!
Tell your friends & neighbours, and share our social posts and newsletters 🙂
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
Special Thanks to:
London Heritage Council, Sound in Motion Studio, OEV BIA, Western Fair Market, London Public Library (Carson Branch), City of London, Banting House, East Village Market