International Dance Day 2013 at Toronto Pearson International Airport

On Saturday April 27th, 2013 The Dance Ontario Youth Board (DOYB)organized another spectacular presentation for International Dance Day Celebrations at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This year DOYB presented five Youth Dance Companies including Cadence Dance Studio, City Dance Corps Pre-Professional Training Program, Randolph Dance Crew, The Dance Place and Jade's Hip Hop Academy Performance Company.
Over 70 dancers ages 8-18 electrified audiences of international and Canadian travellers, airport staff and patrons of dance at Terminal 1 Arrivals. Dancers displayed a wide variety of dance genres from Tap to Ballet, Afro Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop in solo, duo and group performances from 12-5pm. Select solos and duos also made a special flash mob style presentation at International Arrivals surprising and delighting audiences waiting for their loved ones to arrive.
Chair of DOYB, Jade Jager Clark hosted the event with DOYB members Una and Madison.
Now in its 5th year of ongoing partnership with the GTAA IDD at Pearson has become an annual showcase of young Canadian Talent on a very unique platform that truly gives dancers an unforgettable experience!
_{Images of Cadence Dance Studio performers by Jade Jager Clark}

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Eric Parker Exhibit @ Balzacs

^{Image: Eric Parker Opening @ Balzacs by Eric Parker}

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DR. MENAKA THAKKAR 2013 Laureate for Dance of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement

On April 10, 2013, Dr. Menaka Thakkar was named a 2013 laureate of the prestigious Governor General's Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Laureate individuals are honoured for their outstanding body of work and enduring contribution to the performing arts in Canada.

Created in 1992 under the distinguished patronage of the late Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, these prestigious awards are presented annually to Canadians whose accomplishments have inspired and enriched the cultural life of our country. The Awards are regarded as the ultimate recognition in Canada's performing arts."The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only the careers of notable artists, but also those who give of their time, talent and resources to the arts," said His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. "I look forward to welcoming all the laureates to Rideau Hall and to acknowledging their contributions as cultural ambassadors."

Menaka Thakkar is being honoured for her work in dance, along with five other artists in theatre, music, and film. The Governor General's Performing Arts Award follows a previous major award for Menaka Thakkar, the Canada Council Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts which was presented in fall 2012. These two awards along with an Honourary Doctorate (D.Litt) from York University in 1993 mark the first time an artist from outside western dance has received these honours. The 2013 laureates will be honoured at various events in Ottawa from May 30 to June 1. On May 30, the recipients will be introduced in the House of Commons, and will then attend a parliamentary reception. On May 31, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present the Awards at a special ceremony and reception at Rideau Hall. On June 1, the National Arts Centre will host a sparkling Gala to celebrate the 2013 recipients, a star-studded celebration featuring superb performances, evocative film portraits, and personal tributes by guest stars.

All Canadians can take part in the excitement by watching the red carpet portion of the evening, which will be live streamed on the National Arts Centre's website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Tickets for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala on Saturday, June 1, 2012 are on sale to the general public on as of Wednesday April 10, 2013 at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the NAC Box Office and through Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 or www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information visit the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation website: www.ggpaa.ca (English) or www.pggas.ca (French).

PASO/ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL ONTARIO ARTS DAYS MEETINGS

In recent weeks artists from across Ontario have been meeting with MPPs regarding sustaining funding for the Ontario Arts Council. Participants recommended by PASO members from within their own memberships resident in specific constituencies have now met with 32 MPPs - 16 Liberal (including 4 Cabinet Ministers), 10 Progressive Conservative and 6 New Democrat.

At the meetings, there were 10 advocates from the dance community.

We will endeavour to further develop these relationships and advocate for the broader arts community for increases in funding for the sector in the leadup to an anticipated provincial election.

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SOCAN & RE:SOUND

Members who use music to teach will be receiving their invoices for SOCAN licensing fees (covering composers of music) for 2013 in December. Please remit payment promptly.
In recent weeks, established studios have been receiving notices from Re:Sound regarding licenses required for all uses of recorded music to accompany dance lessons. This comes under the Tariff #6 and was authorized by the Copyright Board of Canada. Originally called Neighbouring Rights, Re:Sound will be collecting license fees currently set at a flat rate of $23.42 annually on behalf of producers of music and performers. For additional information go to www.cb-cda.gc.ca or www.resound.ca
Dance Ontario will continue to monitor this situation but given the comparatively modest licensing fee, is not looking at negotiating a group licensing agreement with Re:Sound at this time.

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ArtsBuild Ontario

ArtsBuild Ontario - is the only organization in our province dedicated to realizing long-term solutions to building, managing and financing the sustainable facilities you need - like theatres, galleries, concert halls and museums. With support from the Government of Canada and The Ontario Trillium Foundation ArtsBuild is creating an exciting suite of innovative tools, services and resources to help you with capital project planning, facilities management, accessibility, energy efficiency & sustainability and finance.  www.artsbuildontario.ca @ArtsBuildON Facebook LinkedIn   Dance Ontario would like to encourage members to take part in ArtsBuild's new program offerings.
This would include Lynda.com an online learning site that offers everything from basic excel and MS office, through project management and graphics/design. Dance Ontario members can take advantage of this offer at the very low price of $150. Choose from a selection of over 1600 courses. Dance Ontario has contributed to the development of these programs through our role on the ArtsBuild Advisory Committee.

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BC has fallen in love with Ballet Jorgen Canada's Swan Lake

In the words of Artistic Director and CEO Bengt Jorgen, "people are falling in love with our production of Swan Lake all across British Columbia! We have now performed Swan Lake in Duncan, Nelson, Vernon, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat, and Burns Lake and the response has been truly overwhelming. We sold out in Burns Lake, Vernon, Nelson, as well as Kitimat. In Terrace we had to stop selling tickets because we were at a technical sell out and our performance in Prince Rupert drove the best ticket sales the theatre has had in decades, maybe ever for professional dance."
Congratulations!

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New Members