FREE PROGRAMMING AT UNION STATION
Wed, Oct 22
12-1pm
Funk & Feel Workshop with Caroline ‘Lady C’ Fraser
(all levels/intermediate)
Register here
1:30-4:30pm
Sampradaya Dance Creations
Open Rehearsal for Kintsugi
5-8pm
Rock Bottom Movement
Open Rehearsal for MANY PERFECT DREAMS, GONE
Thurs, Oct 23
12-1pm
Dances & Rhythms of Africa Workshop with Lua Shayenne
(all levels/intermediate)
Register here
1:30-4:30pm
Sampradaya Dance Creations
Open Rehearsal for Kintsugi
5-8pm
Rock Bottom Movement
Open Rehearsal for MANY PERFECT DREAMS, GONE
Fri, Oct 24
12-1pm
BIG DANCE FANTASY Workshop with Alyssa Martin
(all levels)
Register here
1:30-4:30pm
Sampradaya Dance Creations
Open Rehearsal for Kintsugi
5-8pm
Rock Bottom Movement
Open Rehearsal for MANY PERFECT DREAMS, GONE
OPEN REHEARSALS
Sampradaya Dance Creations Open Rehearsal
Oct 22 - 24 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Sampradaya Dance Creations will rehearse Kintsugi, a striking new production inspired by the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold. Conceived by Founder Lata Pada and co-choreographed with Artistic Director Suma Suresh, this Indian classical-contemporary work transforms themes of fracture and repair into a moving expression of strength, beauty, and identity. Kintsugi revisits poignant episodes from the Mahabharata that are both timely and timeless, one that speaks to collective perseverance and the enduring power of transformation.
For the first time, this work also explores new creative ground through AI-integration, reimagining how we tell stories.
Performed by a cast of six dancers trained in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and contemporary vocabularies, Kintsugi features an original score blending classical Indian music with electronic textures, evoking a layered emotional landscape of rupture and repair.
Sampradaya Dance Creations (SDC) is an award-winning Canadian dance company known for its culturally rooted, interdisciplinary work and socially resonant storytelling. SDC was founded in 1990 by internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam soloist, scholar, and educator Lata Pada C.M. Under her leadership, the company is a pioneering force in classical South Asian dance in Canada and globally. Specialising in classical and contemporary Bharatanatyam, SDC, under the leadership of new Artistic Director Suma Suresh, is committed to artistic excellence, creating captivating solo and ensemble works that blend traditional Indian dance with innovative artistry. With national tours and festival performances, SDC shares Bharatanatyam with diverse Canadian and international audiences- uniting cultures through this classical dance form.
Rock Bottom Movement Open Studio
Oct 22 - 24 from 5 - 8 pm
Rock Bottom Movement dives into a reimagining of their 2016 work, MANICPIXIE DREAMGIRLS. 10 years later, with new perspective and fresh questions, they look back at the ideas that guided them through their early-20s, taking a sledge hammer to what no longer serves them. Aggressive, sparkling and open-book, MANY PERFECT DREAMS, GONE puts nostalgia on a one-way motorcycle to a deep and glimmering lake.
Rock Bottom Movement is Tkaronto/Toronto’s surrealist contemporary dance company. Led by choreographer Alyssa Martin, the company has become recognized for their biting choreographic style and signature sense of humour. Their work has been featured on stages across the country including Fall for Dance North Festival, Fluid Festival (Calgary), Festival of New Dance (St. John’s), Fredericton Playhouse, Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal, Festival des Arts Saint Sauveur, Citadel Live (Toronto), SummerWorks Performance Festival and Guelph Dance. Their major works include Big Time Miss, Sex Dalmatian, and hollow mountain which have been recognized with 8 Dora Mavor Moore Awards and the Canadian Stage Award for Direction. They’ve created many of their works in residence at art centres including The Banff Centre, Canadian Stage, The National Ballet of Canada and The Stratford Festival Lab. They approach all that they do with high-energy mischief, and deep consideration for their audiences.
FREE WORKSHOPS
Funk and Feel by Caroline “Lady C” Fraser
Date and Time: Wed, October 22, 2025 at 12pm
In this beginners welcome, all-levels workshop, Lady C will explore the grooves and moves of the 70's and their connection to the music. Dancers will learn some steps and simple moves - and have a lot of fun!
Dances & Rhythms of Africa with Lua Shayenne
Date and Time: Thu, October 23, 2025 at 12pm
In this beginners welcome, all-levels workshop, Lua Shayenne will seamlessly integrate movement with song, cultural insights, and live percussion, offering a progression that builds confidence step by step.
Through the rhythmic pulse of live percussion, participants are invited to celebrate the body’s connection to the Earth, embracing Breath, Ground, Inner Rhythm, and Flow. The practice honors the spirit and energy within, moving in harmony with the rich traditions of West African dance.
Big Dance Fantasy by Alyssa Martin
Date and Time: Fri, October 24, 2025 at 12pm
In this beginners welcome, all-levels workshop, Alyssa Martin will lead you to live out your unison dance floor fantasy. This class is a low-pressure, high-fun scenario where we will move together as a group through a choreographed dance sequence until the sweat flings and the laughs echo.
*In addition to the Union programming, FFDN will again offer free workshops throughout the festival taught by festival artists. Watch our socials for the full schedule and details.