Sarah Katie Holmescrowns and Flowers
Sarah Katie Holmes is one of those people who embodies lightness of being. She is bright-eyed, focused, taking in information about the people and the environment around her. What she captures in doing so seems to be filtered and released into the world – and those around her are better for it.
Sarah: “I am a dance teacher putting on the second season of my Fierce & Feminine Show. Fierce & Feminine is a dance class I began teaching a few years ago when I moved back to the Townships from Montreal at the start of the pandemic.”
What motivated Sarah to do so? “I wanted to offer a safe space for women, including myself, to dance, learn the ins and outs of their bodies, feel sexy, sensual, loved, creative and free.”
What was the result?
“I grew and continue to grow a community of women who are reconnecting with their sexuality, confidence and womanhood, shamelessly.”
And that is key.
“In a world where we are shamed to no end, I wanted to create an environment that nurtured the desire, and ultimately the need to be sexy and sensual.”
A year-and-a-half ago, one of Sarah’s friends was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. Her friend began an amazing 10-week fundraiser that their little community devoted themselves to.
“It was incredible! It gave me the push I needed, after years of running my class, to produce a show and donate the proceeds. I’d always wanted to have the girls go on stage, be proud of the art they practice, and I felt this cause would motivate them! What good is it to crush shame in a classroom if you don’t bring that ferocity into the real world?”
But Sarah still claims she “had no clue what she was doing”.
“I barely had enough numbers to create a show, so people started offering to be guests, and I thought, what if I reach out to a drag queen I know?”
Sarah contacted a friend she had danced with in the city, who now has her own dance business, specifically teaching “heels” classes. Yes, you assume correctly – dancing in heels.
“One drag queen turned into four, and so many people came together and donated their art to the show and the cause!”
She produced the show in a wonderful venue, in Sutton, La Sag (she sings Vanessa’s praises as an important supporter). They had a deejay for the event, Sarah “freestyle hosted” and it was an enormous success. They raised $2,000 with a sold-out show.
“I knew it was the start of an annual effort to raise money for the cause chosen that year. This year, I knew I needed a bigger stage, so I reached out to La Maison de la Culture de Waterloo. We are very excited to be in this space, which also provides more audience space.”
This year, the show will include burlesque artists, and big names are coming to the stage – drag queens and dancers from Montreal, as well as Sarah’s own dancers.
“Last year’s show didn’t have a title so they called it “Let’s Dance”. This year, I wanted to find a name that would stick for years to come, and so Crowns & Flowers was perfect. Queens and beauty. Or you can be creative and try to figure out what flowers really means.” Sarah laughs.
“Regal energy! was perfect.”
The show will come to the stage of La Maison de la Culture de Waterloo on Friday, April 19th. There is a bar on site, and so the show is open to those 18 years-of-age and up.
This year, Sarah chose to donate to Entre’lles, a women’s centre based in Granby, with a new location in Waterloo.
“We want to bring more awareness to the Waterloo location, as it is still not very well known. I am tremendously filled with joy at the thought of being able to serve my community, and support these artists, and the culture of drag, burlesque and sensual dance. This evening is not only a show and a fundraiser, but to me, it’s a celebration. It’s an absolute party. Did I mention I’m also performing solo?”
Sarah had promised herself that I wouldn’t perform in her own show again, but at the request of her dancers, she wants to show her girls that she can do it too.
“…Go on stage, and bare the vulnerable, yet powerful essence of my femininity, of course.”
For tickets, search Crowns and Flowers on Google – their Facebook page will surface, as well as The Point of Sale, where tickets are available at $32.49 each.
Divine beauty.
It