WheelDance.ca

The Delta Optimist

The wheelchair dancing program at the Kinsmen Recreation Centre in Tsawwassen recently received a big financial boost by way of a $25,000 grant from the federal government.
“We are very excited about the grant and we hope to expand the program to other areas of the Lower Mainland and B.C.,” said Toni Triplett, the principal instructor and artistic director.

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Ballroom dancing for people living their lives in a wheelchair is a reality at the Kinsmen Recreation Centre in Tsawwassen. The Centre has received a grant from the Federal Government from New Horizons to develop a wheelchair dance program.

Toni Triplett of the Canadian Wheelchair Dance Academy (CWDA) has been hired to develop the program. A main focus will be seniors’ recruitment and participation together with opportunities for leadership, training and community involvement through a train the trainer component. In addition volunteers and wheelchair users of all ages are welcome to participate in the program. “This is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to connect”, said Triplett.

A pilot project of the wheelchair dance program is underway with the official start date for the program, February 9, 2009. Requests for exhibitions across the Lower Mainland have been received, including one for a performance by the group at the BC Disabilities Games in July.

“We are very excited about the grant” said Triplett “and we hope to expand the program to other areas of the Lower Mainland and BC”. But for a successful program “we do need volunteers and we look forward to welcoming wheelchair users from the community”.

Wheelchair dancing, although new to Tsawwassen and perhaps even to the Lower bMainland, has been in existence for about 20 years and has been pursued in more than 40 countries worldwide. “The important thing about wheelchair dancing is that it allows people who live their lives in wheelchairs to enjoy movement and rhythm in a social environment. They are paired with able bodied volunteers who learn steps and techniques for the various dances, such as waltz, foxtrot and Latin dances, and the volunteer and wheelchair user dance as a team,” said Triplett. “It is truly amazing how well this works and the result is beautiful. When you see the smiles on the faces of the participants you know what a great program it is.”

A recruitment campaign is underway for volunteers. Any wheelchair users interested in wheelchair dancing, please contact Instructor Toni Triplett at 604-862-8761. Practice andtraining sessions will be held weekdays and Saturdays at the Centre.

For further information contact:
Toni Triplett, Instructor
604-862-8761

Image by tuija via Flickr

By Toni Triplett

For those of you who have shown an interest in wheelchair dance either in terms of participating in or in supporting this program…..you will find this quite remarkable.

I’m in Ontario as I write this. Yesterday we completed the first ever two day Canadian wheelchair dance workshop. The people you’ll see dancing on the website I am sending you  are two couples from Slovakia. They are ranked among the three highest in the world. What you don’t see on this film is their coach Andre’. He is dedicated, passionate and hugely knowledgeable about this art form and it was such an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to work with this dance troupe from Slovakia.

I’ve come away from this workshop so very inspired by what can be done with wheelchair dance (for EVERY level of wheelchair user) that I’m committing myself to joining forces with the teachers I’ve met here in Ontario and bringing this wonderful gift to all of Canada.

Thank you for your interest and your support. As always…in any program first passion, dedication, support (exposure)…funding and wheelchairs (we need Quickies)…any ideas warmly welcomed.

By the way I had th opportunity to dance in the wheelchair with the young man who is dancing the waltz and I can’t begin to tell you how much fun that was to experience Waltz in that way.

(Also I can’t get sound on the computer I’m on so I have no idea what Melissa (the organizer) is saying…please excuse any repetitive info.)

Thank you, Toni

Image by Gabriel Weyer via Flickr

AdBeau Productions is developing a documentary on a troupe of wheelchair dancers working with choreographer Toni Triplett in the hope of performing at some venues during the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games.

Broadcaster and corporate involvement or investment is welcome and encouraged.

Contact us for more details.