Location: Vermont Square Park in Downtown Toronto

About the Artist: Kaeja d’Dance is a contemporary dance company that, in addition to more traditional dance presentation, places dance in the public realm by creating community performances in which professional dancers work with local residents to create unique choreography and dance pieces that reflect the community.

About the Park: Vermont Square Park is a small park located in the downtown neighbourhood of Seaton Village. This park is right beside a community centre and indoor ice rink and is a short walk from a subway station. It is well used by families for its pleasant playground and there is also a small stage.

How the Park was Animated: Kaeja d’Dance animated Vermont Square Park and the neighbourhood of Seaton Village with Porch View Dances over five consecutive days. Kaeja d’Dance worked with residents to create performances that told stories from the community. Mixing professional dancers with novices and those who perhaps have never danced before, Porch View Dances places local residents in the position of creator and performer. Parading from house to house, audience members watch unique vignettes featuring their friends and neighbours on their front porches and lawns. The event finished with a “Flock Landing” where all audience members could partake in a collective dance routine in the park.

This project was funded by the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council’s Dance Operating grants program.

Impact: This project takes dance out of a formal setting and puts into public space – removing barriers to make it accessible to anyone interested. As Kaeja d’Dance has been producing Porch View Dances in Seaton Village since 2012, it has become a part of the neighbourhood and something residents look forward to every year. From beginning to end, residents are at the heart of Porch View Dances, which really encourages them to invest their time and interest in the annual project. It is an event for the community by the community, celebrating the neighbourhood and strengthening community connection.

 "Such a lovely and warm community event. Rare for the times.” – Audience member, 2018