Tkaronto Open

Overview

Tkaronto Open is the newest addition to the Fall for Dance roster. An Indigenous dance competition conceived and co-produced by award winning Indigenous dancer Freddy Gipp (Indigenous Liberation, FFDN 2022). Gather with us at Union Station's West Wing to enjoy a tournament style competition of Indigenous traditional dance, featuring Jingle Dress Dance. This free event takes place on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Contestant fee is $15 and all proceeds will be donated to Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto.

For CONTESTANTS
Doors will open at 10:00 AM and the competition will start at 12:00 PM.
See (and share!) detailed event flyer below

FOR GENERAL PUBLIC
This is a free event at Union Station's West Wing, with limited seating.
Arrive anytime after 12:00 PM
Approximate event length is 3-4 hours

Tkaronto Open is an opportunity for our Toronto community to partake in an Indigenous tradition that has been in practice for over 100 years. Indigenous dance competitions, such as Tkaronto Open, provide a platform that supports dancers, singers and artisan craft-makers and their desire to continue the cultural expression, resiliency and longevity of Indigenous People’s way of life.

TKARONTO OPEN TEAM:

Producer: Freddy Gipp (Lawrence, KS)
Associate Producer: Thunder Jack (Ontario)
Arena Director: Acosia Red Elk (Pendleton, OR)
Master of Ceremony: Ruben Little Head Sr. (Lawrence, KS)
Host Drum: Smoke Trail Singers (Ontario)
Community Partner: Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto
Graphic Design: Kehiw Frazier

View the playbill for this event

DETAILED COMPETITION FLYER

Download high res version

Jingle Dress Dance and Powwow Yoga Workshop
Taught by Acosia Red Elk

Friday Sep 29, 5:30-6:30 PM at Union Station’s West Wing
Open to participants of all abilities. No dance experience required.
Limited capacity, please arrive early!

Join world champion Jingle dancer Acosia Red Elk in a 60-minute hybrid Jingle dance and powwow yoga workshop. Participants will be guided through the basic footwork of traditional Jingle Dress dance in a highly physical dance workshop, while developing a deeper understanding of the cultural significance and history of the Jingle Dress dance. To close out the workshop, participants are invited to experience powwow yoga, a fusion of Indigenous Powwow Dance with Yoga which results in a balance of cardio , strength , stretching , breathwork and meditation. The Powwow Yoga format was created by and is taught by Acosia Red Elk. Come ready to dance, sweat, and have fun!

FOOTWEAR:
Soft soled indoor shoes, socks, or bare feet only. No outdoor or hard sole shoes are permitted on the dance floor.

ATTIRE:
Stretch clothing you can sweat in. It is recommended dancers arrive ready to participate. Private change rooms are not provided, but public washrooms are available. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat if possible, but it is not required to participate.

ABOUT ACOSIA RED ELK:

Acosia Red Elk. Image courtesy of Artist.

Acosia Red Elk
Head Judge and Arena Director

Acosia Red Elk is an Enrolled Member of the Umatilla Tribe from Northeastern Oregon territory. Acosia is a 10x World Champion Jingle Dancer and world renowned Performing Artist. She is also an International Yoga Instructor, Glass Artist, Cultural Teacher and Wellness Advocate, known for public speaking/ storytelling, Tribal Dance Performance, Indigenizing Fitness, Teaching Yoga from a Tribal Lens and teaching Powwow Dance to Tribal Youth across Turtle Island. Acosia travels the world sharing cultural knowledge, Movement and Meditation. She is passionate about sharing the practice of Yoga and universal movement as a way to heal from historical & Intergenerational trauma. Spreading awareness about the healing benefits of Yoga, culture, movement and the power of thought, used daily to release stress, trauma & pain held in the body and mind. Acosia is the creator of Powwow/Yoga, a fusion practice that braids together Tribal Dancing and Yoga for a well rounded Workout with an Indigenous approach to wellness. Acosia leads classes with a 7 Generation Approach, Teaching us that everything that we do should be done with a sustainable mindset to Protect what is sacred. Acosia is an Advocate for health and wellness and encourages all people on earth to recognize the Indigenous knowledge within them so that they can continue to build bridges and protect earth's resources for the future generations and beyond.

Overview

DETAILED COMPETITION FLYER

Jingle Dress Dance and Powwow Yoga WorkshopTaught by Acosia Red Elk

Acosia Red ElkHead Judge and Arena Director

Jingle Dress Dance and Powwow Yoga Workshop
Taught by Acosia Red Elk

Acosia Red Elk
Head Judge and Arena Director