150 residents attend 14th annual performance
By Abigail Harris
Contemporary dance studio Kaeja d’Dance hosted their annual Porch View Dances (PVD) in Seaton Village from July 16-20.
Audience members traveled as a group to watch choreographed dance works performed on the porches and lawns of local residents. The PVD concept was created by Karen Kaeja and has been co-developed alongside her husband, Allen Kaeja.
Kaeja told the Gleaner the idea was conceived in 2012 after she was inspired by watching interactions between her neighbors outside her front window.
“I noticed what was happening across the street and started dreaming about the gestures that were coming out of them while they were talking,” Kaeja said. “I started imagining that being put into choreography and teaming these everyday folks that live in these homes with professional choreographers.”
This year’s show featured three porch performances, three vignettes and one installation. The tour ended with a Flock Landing in Vermont Square Park, inviting audience members to participate in a choreographed group movement.
Roughly 150 residents came along for the opening night performance, with Councillor Dianne Saxe (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) and Councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s) in attendance.
Tour guides Kunji Ikeda and Allen Kaeja took on the personas of Amon and Emon, guiding the audience between houses, from London Street to Euclid Avenue to Manning Avenue.
Kaeja said that the festival aims to bring together not only dancers, but participants from across Toronto.
“There are diverse choreographers from all over the city from all different backgrounds, and they bring their colleagues, friends and people that they know in their lives,” Kaeja said. “So not only are the choreographers from all over the city, so are the participants.”
According to Kaeja, the festival is designed to keep the audience on their toes while also feeling bright and approachable.
“We add in these surprises and make sure that the choreographers are keeping work light and joyful,” Kaeja said. “Really, this festival is about joy.”
Those interested in making a donation to support Kaeja d’Dance and PVD can visit their website at kaeja.org.
READ MORE:
- FOCUS: Porch View Dances returns (May/June 2023)
- CHATTER: A soulful performance from a Howland porch (Oct. 2020)
- HISTORY: Delivering history in Harbord Village (Spring 2019)
- CHATTER: Live from your laneway (Election Special 2018)
- ARTS: Connecting neighbours through music (May 2016)
- ARTS: Choreographing partnership (August 2015)
- ARTS: Resident costumes Postman cast (July 2015)
- ARTS: Delivering history in Harbord Village (April 2015)
- ARTS: Dancing on porches (March 2012)