Porch View Dances 2024
Real People Dancing in Real Spaces.
July 17 to 21, 2024
Real People Dancing
in Real Spaces.
Our 13th annual Porch View Dances (PVD) celebrated the stories of our local neighbourhood by taking dance out of the theatre and into our daily lives. Founded by Karen Kaeja and developed by Allen Kaeja, PVD is a one-of-a-kind community dance event that brings together creators and everyday folk from around Tkaronto, some of whom have never danced before, to create unique performances in Seaton Village, Toronto. Curated by artist Mayumi Lashbrook, the 2024 theme centered around the heart of play – together we celebrated the spirit of humanity and joyful connections through movement. Your PVD adventure guide was Kunji Ikeda and audiences visited new creations by Toronto’s celebrated choreographers Sid Ryan Eilers, Fer Camacho, Zita Nyarady, and Esie Mensah and witnessed a new installation by Indigenous artist and long-time Kaeja collaborator Jim Adams and dance artist Heryka Miranda.
Dates:
July 17, 2024 @ 7pm
July 18, 2024 @ 7pm
July 19, 2024 @ 7pm
July 20, 2024 @ 7pm
July 21, 2024 @ 2pm *Accessibility Day – An ASL interpreter will be present & wheelchairs will be available
Starting Location: Porch View Dances Lane & London St. (View map)
Admission: Pay What You Want
2024 Trailer edit by Mio Sakomoto. Footage shot by Drew Berry.
Have you read about this year's PVD? Check out the press!
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"As its billing states, this popular outdoor festival, now in its 13th annual season, uniquely features “Real People Dancing in Real Spaces.” Non-professional performers work with professional choreographers to create original works that often riff off their urban surroundings. With so much bleakness in the news these days, “PVD,” the brainchild of Toronto company Kaeja d’Dance’s co-founder Karen Kaeja, promises instead to embrace themes of joy, laughter and silliness."
-Michael Crabb, Toronto Star
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"It’s a kind of aftermath of the isolation of the pandemic, and learning to re-engage with each other. It’s a playful way of finding common ground. The neighbourhood itself becomes part of the process as well as the performances as she began to make connections with the homeowners and other neighbours along the streets of the area. “It’s a great neighbourhood,” Mayumi says. “Part of that is the architecture.”
-Anya Wassenberg, Ludwig van Toronto
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"With the continued rise of opposition and polarity, community projects like Porch View Dances are an opportunity to release ourselves from personal challenges and instead, find connection with one another,” says Mayumi Lashbrook, Curator and Artistic Producer of PVD 2024. “PVD has surprised and delighted audiences for 13 years, and each year we are reminded of the joy that exists in our lives that we often pass by without noticing. It is with this inspiration that this year’s festival looks through the lens of a child’s playful eye. We invite audiences to let loose, have fun, and engage in meaningful experiences with those around them.”
-Newswire, My Scena
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Mention and PVD info
-Now Playing Toronto
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"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
Prepare for your #PVD2024 journey
Explore the map and prep for the show!
View map for the starting point at Porch View Dances Lane and London Street.
Here are some tips to learn how you can enjoy PVD to the fullest:
1. Weather - can be unpredictable; if it looks like rain, bring an umbrella to stay dry.
2. Water - keep yourself hydrated; drink plenty of water.
3. Footwear - Wear comfortable shoes for the journey!
4. Sitting - bring a blanket or towel if you want.
5. Keep track of Kaeja's Socials - we'll give rain cancellation updates if needed. Follow us and keep up to date!
Give to Light Up A Porch!
PVD 2024 invites you to LIGHT UP A PORCH campaign!
Each donation will be matched with 1 of 3 porches to imbue a creative feast. 100% of your contribution will go towards bringing to life one of Toronto’s joyful hidden gems.
A sincere thank you for your continued support.
The campaign has now ended.
2024 Porch View Dances Team
PVD Artistic Director, Founder & Concept
Karen Kaeja
PVD Developed by
Karen Kaeja
Allen Kaeja
Artistic Producer & Curator
Mayumi Lashbrook
Project & Production Manager
Malgorzata Nowacka-May
Emcee & Tour Guide
Kunji Ikeda**
Choreographers
Esie Mensah (Vignette), Fer Camacho** (Porch), Sid Ryan Eilers (Porch), Zita Nyarady** (Porch)
Flock Landing Lead
Mio Sakamoto**
Flock Landing Dancers
Kiah Francis, Yui Ugai, Rajvi Dedhia
Vignette Dancers
Rosie Harbans
Installation Artists
Jim Adams, Heryka Miranda
**Funded by RBC Emerging Artist
Co-Artistic Director - Allen Kaeja
Production/Stage Manager
Sharon DiGenova
Technical Assistant
Shanna Miller
Videographer
Kendra Epik
Photographer
SVPhotography
Publicity
Murray Paterson Publicity Group
2024 Administrative Team
Marketing & Social Media Coordinator*
Jessica Cen
Development Officer - Fundraising*
Shona Kiyama
Administrative Assistant*
Mio Sakomoto
Archival Assistant*
Charlotte Cain
Production Assistant*
Kathy Le
Produced & Presented by
Kaeja d’Dance
*Funded by Canada Summer Jobs
Meet the Team and Choreographers
Flock Landing Dancer - Rajvi Dedhia
Jessica Cen - Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
Flock Landing Dancer - Kiah Francis
Shanna Miller - Technical Assistant
Thank you to our funders.
PVD Artistic Director, Founder, Concept - Karen Kaeja
Sharon DiGenova - Production/Stage Manager
Flock Landing Dancer - Yui Ugai
Project and Production Manager - Malgorzata Nowacka-May
Artistic Producer & Curator - Mayumi Lashbrook
Vignette Choreographer, Performer - Esie Mensah
Tour Guide - Kunji Ikeda
Porch Choreographer - Fer Camacho
Porch Choreographer - Zita Nyarady
Vignette Dancer - Mary-Rose Harbans
Porch Choreographer - Sid Ryan Eilers
Flock Landing Lead - Mio Sakamoto
Installation Artist - Heryka Miranda
Installation Artist - Jim Adams
Partner with Porch View Dances!
Interested in becoming a choreographer, corporate sponsor, community partner, or volunteer (Bike Squad or Hub) next year? Contact us to start the conversation!
Photos by Karen Kaeja, Jessica Cen, Allen Kaeja, Mayumi Lashbrook, Kathy Le