Porch View Dances 2012: Seaton Village

In 2012 in Seaton Village, Porch View Dances (PVD): ‘Real People Dancing In Real Spaces’, was born. This was the first annual PVD festival, conceived by Karen Kaeja and developed by Karen and Allen Kaeja. PVD became an award-winning community dance event that engages everyday people as creators, storytellers, and performers – many of whom had never danced before!

Audience members travelled through the Seaton Village neighbourhood to see new dance works created with professional choreographers performed by local residents on the front porches and lawns of their homes. Choreographer by Maxine Heppner and worked with Diana D’Amelio, Nova Bhattacharya worked with the Endes family, Karen Kaeja worked with the Kerr-Wyncoll family, Michael Caldwell worked with Robin Noya and Margo Small, and Allen Kaeja worked with Max Brauch and Liz Haines. Vignette performances were choreographed and danced by Tina Fushell and Diana Rose.

The performance culminated in a Flock Landing at the local park, where audience members of all ages and mobility levels were 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.