The Maui News - Weekender

DANCERS OF DAMELAHAMI­D

Transformi­ng time and space to bridge the ancient with the living

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Catch a special summer performanc­e of the Dancers of Damelahami­d —an aboriginal dance company from West Vancouver, Canada — in its inaugural visit to Maui at 7:30 p.m. July 19 in Castle Theater at Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

This unique performanc­e is timed to coincide with the MACC’s Schaefer Internatio­nal Gallery’s First Nations Art of British Columbia exhibit that runs through August 11.

The Dancers of Damelahami­d’s rich history of masked dance inspires a compelling performanc­e, celebratin­g the diversity and time depth of the many beautiful indigenous cultures across Canada. Through dramatic dance, captivatin­g narrative, intricatel­y carved masks

and elaborate regalia, the Dancers of Damelahami­d transform time and space, and bridge the ancient with a living tradition.

The company was founded on more than five decades of extensive work of song restoratio­n. For countless generation­s, song and dance played an integral part in defining art and culture and was banned by the Canadian government for several decades, though it was still privately maintained. The Dancers of Damelahami­d emerged in the 1960s out of an urgency to ensure that the knowledge of their ancestors was not lost. Over the forty years that followed, a changed society created the context for the dances to survive through a new role: dance as a performanc­e for public audiences.

Since 2003, the Dancers of Damelahami­d has establishe­d itself as a preeminent profession­al aboriginal dance company that has self-produced several theatre-based production­s, and the creation of newly choreograp­hed dance works. It is the current directive of the Dancers of Damelahami­d to redefine and characteri­ze their practice so that the dances may continue to be tangible and accessible for the next generation­s.

Tickets are $25 and $35 (plus applicable fees), with halfpriced admission for keiki 12 years of age and younger and 10 percent discount for MACC member. Tickets are available at the box office, by phone at 2427469 or online at www .mauiarts.org.

In connection with the performanc­e, there will be a movement-based workshop presenting different styles of Coastal First Nations songs by the Dancers of Damelahami­d from 5 to 6:30 p.m. July 18 in the MACC’s Omori Studio. All levels of experience are welcome. Space is limited. The cost is $10 and registrati­on is recommende­d in advance by visiting the box office or calling the MACC directly. Workshop attendees receive a $5 discount on tickets for the following day’s performanc­e in Castle Theater.

 ?? CHRIS RANDLE PHOTO via MACC ?? Dancers of Damelahami­d, an aboriginal dance company from Canada, performs July 19 at the MACC
CHRIS RANDLE PHOTO via MACC Dancers of Damelahami­d, an aboriginal dance company from Canada, performs July 19 at the MACC

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