TORONTO, ON – Cultural Pluralism Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO), Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA), Dancemakers in conjunction with the National Dance Week presents a unique showcase of culturally diverse dance artists called Dancing in Diversity, April 24^th 2013, 7 pm at Dancemakers Center for Creation, 9 Trinity Street, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4. The presentation will feature some of Toronto’s leading artists working in a pluralist model from creation to presentation. Artists include, Little Pear Garden Collective, Sampradaya Dance Creations, Jasmyn Fyffe Dance, Sashar Zarif, Lua Shayenne and Company, KasheDance, Roshanak Jaberi, Nova Bhattacharya and Olga Barrios. A special video by Red Sky Performance will open the showcase. Different forms, varying approaches to presentation, a myriad of dance genres all under one roof in the celebration of Canada as a Dance Nation. It’s about dance and its potential to ignite, inspire and create bridges to understanding who we are; where tradition, diversity, pluralism shape social cohesion.  Artists and companies from a wide array of practices will also have the opportunity to speak about their artistic practice and approach.

Created by the Canadian Dance Assembly, National Dance Week / Semaine canadienne de la danse National Dance Week leads up to International Dance Day as part of the “I love dance/J’aime la danse” National Campaign. During the week, one theme will be celebrated each day across Canada to embrace the rich and varied landscape of Canadian dance. On April 24^th the focus will be on pluralism, diversity and social cohesion in the efforts to engage communities across the country from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. The campaign is not just for dance professionals, it’s for everyone who loves dance!

Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) is a movement of Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists working with presenters to empower the performing arts communities of Ontario. CPAMO seeks to open opportunities for Aboriginal and ethno-racial performers to engage with presenters across Ontario and to enable presenters to develop constructive relationships with Aboriginal and ethno-racial performers. CPAMO is supported bv Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists who are involved in theatre, music, dance and literary arts.

CANADIAN DANCE ASSEMBLY  (CDA) acts as the voice of the professional dance sector in Canada and promotes a healthy, sustainable environment in which professional dance practice can grow and thrive. CDA strives to cultivate a strong national voice for Canadian professional dance and supports the development of resources for this field of artistic expression. Through conferences, workshops, and networking events we connect the dance community from coast to coast, building a cohesive and dynamic milieu.

For inquires and information contact: Charles C. Smith – Project Lead (CPAMO) charlescsmith@rogers.com