PORCH VIEW DANCES

Concept by
Karen Kaeja

Developed by
Karen and Allen Kaeja

Running Time
~60m

Porch View Dances (PVD): ‘Real People Dancing In Real Spaces’, conceived in 2012 by Karen Kaeja, is an annual award-winning community dance event that engages everyday people as creators, storytellers, and performers – many of whom have never danced before. Audience members travel through the neighbourhood to see new dance works created with professional choreographers performed by local residents on the front porches and lawns of their homes. The performance culminates in a Flock Landing at the local park, where audience members of all ages and mobility levels are invited to participate in the dance.

PVD celebrates the stories of people in a neighbourhood, taking dance out of the theatre and into our daily lives and sending the powerful message that art is for everyone.

For more information on bringing a site-specific dance to your community, please contact urban@kaeja.org.

"Pure artistic gold."

Apt 613, Ottawa
“Rarely has such ordinary public property been converted to such wonderful artistic use."

Adam Vaughan, MP Spadina-Fort York (past City Councillor Ward 20) City Councillor
"[Porch View Dances is] a poster child for site-specific dance done right."

Paula Citron, Globe and Mail
"Despite the fact that Porch View Dances is 13 years old, the concept remains astonishingly unique. A mainstay of a Toronto summer, this community dance event — “real people dancing in real spaces” — continues to delight on so many levels. Truly makes you feel part of a community."

Paula Citron, Ludwig van Toronto

PAST PORCH VIEW DANCES

In Seaton Village

This year’s festival runs July 17-21, 2024 in Seaton Village.

Ger ready, Toronto! Explore the page for the program, map, team, and more!

2024

2023

2022

2021
Online

2020
Online

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Elsewhere in Ontario

Lakeshore Arts
2017-2019

Kitchener
2016-2017

Ottawa
2015-2016

PVD 2023 Highlights

PVD 2022 Highlights

PVD 2021 Trailer

PVD 2018 Trailer

PVD 2015 Trailer

PVD 2012 Trailer

Several community participants lift a young child over their heads so that he appears to be flying.

Two community participants groove together

A young child in mid-air jumping off a porch

An adult swings a child around in a circle

Three community participants clap their hands together

Community participant lifted over Allen Kaeja's shoulder

Three children dump buckets of water over the heads of other children

One community participant swings another around in a circle

Several participants strike poses on a porch.

Community participants dancing with large pieces of fabric

A child runs to an adult on their front steps

A large group of people wearing wedding dresses

Two participants pretend to paddle a canoe

Three women stand in a circle holding hands

Photos by Aria Evans, Allen Kaeja, SV Photography, Diana Renelli, and Monica Salazar Arcila
Choreography pictured (in order of appearance) by Karen Kaeja, Rodney Diverlus, Allen Kaeja, Kate Alton, Sashar Zarif, Apolonia Velasquez and Ofilio Sinbadinha, Yvonne Ng, Karen and Allen Kaeja, Lauren Cook, Shannon Litzenberger, Kathleen Rea, Allison Cummings, Andrea Nann and Michelle Silagy, Ravyn Wngz, Michael Caldwell & Louis Laberge-Côté

PORCH VIEW DANCES