Programs

Shawnigan Night of Dance

A pair of sold-out shows delighted audiences at Shawnigan’s Night of Dance last Wednesday.
 
The event consisted of two shows, put on by dancers from Shawnigan’s curricular fine arts and 360 groups, as well as children of staff members, who presented three of the 23 performances in each show.
 
The dancers had been preparing since January for the Night of Dance, and the results were spectacular.
 
“They prepared hard leading up to it and had late nights of rehearsals in the theatre the two nights prior,” dance teacher Mrs. Megan Hollingworth commented. “They were well-prepared, and it showed. They were able to shine.”
 
The high-energy shows ended with the entire SLS Dance Company on stage, leading the audience in an ABBA-themed dance party.
 
Mrs. Hollingworth expressed her gratitude for the support and energy from the Shawnigan community, in particular colleagues Mr. Salvatore Interlandi and Ms. Annie Marland and the student stage crew. She also lauded the leadership from the older students, specifically graduating Grade 12s Aitana A. and Kanon G.
 
Kanon had four performances during each show, ranging in style from jazz to hip-hop to contemporary, three of which were choreographed by Mrs. Hollingworth, while the fourth was choreographed by Mr. Josh Cameron.
 
“All the performances went great, especially since it was my last time performing in the Shawnigan Night of Dance,” said Kanon, who has been dancing most of her life, and was a member of Japan’s National Competitive Cheer Dance Team before she came to Shawnigan. “I could give 100 percent of my energy for each dance. I enjoyed being on stage and showing the audience what we had been working on for a year. I hope the audience also enjoyed our performance!”
 
Kanon also enjoyed watching her peers in action.

“All the other performances were incredible,” she enthused. “Everyone gave their energy to the performance and enjoyed being on the stage. Seeing everyone's individuality in each performance was interesting, and I enjoyed looking at the other performers.”
 
Finally, Kanon acknowledged the hard work of Mrs. Hollingworth and her dance collaborators.

“I want to first appreciate Mrs. H for guiding us through this year and making the show the best possible,” she said. “I also want to thank everyone who came here to support us and the Grade 11s who danced with Aitana and me at Shawnigan Night of Dance. It was indeed the best Shawnigan Night of Dance I have ever experienced. I will miss my dance family in Shawnigan next year.”
Back
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.