Coastal Dance Festival — February 20–24, 2019

The Dancers of Damelahamid proudly present the 12th annual Coastal Dance Festival (formerly Coastal First Nations Dance Festival), February 20–24, 2019, in their new state-of-the art venue for 2019 at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster. Audiences will be treated to a dynamic selection of ancestral and innovative performances from British Columbia, the Yukon, Quebec, Alaska, Washington state, and Australia. The Dancers of Damelahamid will present the world premiere of an excerpt of Mînowin in full regalia, a new work that integrates narrative, movement, song, performance and new multimedia design to explore contemporary reflections of Indigenous identity. A strong thread of Indigenous feminism will be on display with the festival debut of Montreal-based singers Émilie Monnet and Nahka Bertrand and Australia’s Wagana Aboriginal Dancers led by Jo Clancy. Back by popular demand: Squamish-based dance company Spakwus Slolem, Flying Gwitch’in Fiddler Boyd Benjamin, and singer-songwriter Kevin Barr. Signature Performances take place February 22 & 23 from 7:30–9:30pm; Festival Stage performances are February 23 & 24 from 1–4pm. Tickets to Signature Performances available from $25. Tickets to Festival Performances are by donation. Info at damelahamid.ca. Tickets at anvilcentre.com.