Performers and Dances
Abalone Eagle
Abalone Eagle
Represent Westbank First Nations. The Father and daughter team of Stan and Candace Jack are leaders of the group. Stan has been dancing at many, many events around the valley for many years. In his younger days, you will remember him performing the Hoop Dance.
Candace now follows in his footsteps to promote First Nations Culture and understanding. They are joined by 2 youth performers Gage and Madison.
Highland Fire Academy of Dance
Highland Fire Academy of Dance
Dancers from Highland Fire Academy can be found entertaining guests at local community events and at competitions across Canada and around the world. This will all resume when the pandemic is over.
Website www.highlandfire.ca Visit our Facebook Page!
Watch Our Sword Dance Performance-Week 1!
Watch Our Scottish Lilt Performance-Week 2!
OCCA Communities Association
OCCA – Communities Association
Their goal is to promote mutual understanding, respect, and acceptance among diverse communities in the Okanagan, to build partnerships with all levels of governments and, to encourage and facilitate the full participation of immigrants and descendants in the social, cultural and economic life of the Okanagan region.
They also offer Dance and Wellness Classes (health regulations permitting): There are 56 ethnic groups in China. Each Ethnic group has its own dance which has given great diversity to Chinese folk dances. The Chinese Folk dances are colourful and meaningful. Chinese folk dances can be presented in many different forms according to the purpose of the function, e.g. festival & ritual performance, celebration & entertainment, etc. Chinese folk dance is a gold mine to explore. For more information, go to www.occabc.ca
Watch Our Fan Dance Performance-Week 1!
Dolyna Ukrainian Cultural Society
Dolyna Ukrainian Cultural Society
Formed in 2009 to promote Ukrainian culture in the Kelowna area.
The society has classes for Dolyna Dancers ranging from 4 to adult, two Ukrainian culture classes, and Malanka - a Ukrainian New Years Celebration.
Dolyna usually holds a year-end concert in May. When Covid 19 is over everything will resume.
Visit our Facebook Page! www.dolynadancers.com
Watch Our Junior B Poltava Performance-Week 1!
Watch Our Intermediate B Poltava Performance-Week 2!
Watch Our Beginners Poltava Performance-Week 3!
Somos Colombia
Somos Colombia
is a dance group formed with members of the Colombian community in Kelowna. Established in December 2018, with the goal to engage in ongoing learning of Colombian folklore and culture through dance performances and participation in community events.
Our traditional dresses and accessories were all made in Colombia by artisans from different regions in the country.
Our 15 members range from ages between 5 to 80 years old.
Watch Our Bullerenge Performance-Week 1!
Watch Our Jota Chocoana Performance-Week 2!
Ruach Israeli Dancing
Ruach (Roo-a) Israeli Folk Dancers
In the fall of 2003 Israeli dancing began at the Jewish Community Centre in Kelowna, under the direction of the dance instructor: Miracle of Peace.
Since it opened its doors, enthusiastic dancers from the surrounding area were united by their love of Israeli music and culture, and most of all the desire to learn Israeli folk dances. It is from this group of enthusiastic dancers that the performance group Ruach was born. “Ruach” is the Hebrew word for “Spirit” and this performing folk dance group definitely has Spirit in their steps!
With our performance group “Ruach”, we aim to add the cultural mosaic of Kelowna and the area, by participating in various festivals and multicultural events to give a taste of Jewish and Israeli culture through the art of dance. Our group besides being a performance group continues to offer weekly youth and adult recreational circle dance open to everyone.
Watch Our Od Lo Ahavati Dai Performance-Week 1!
Okanagan Mexican Folklore
Okanagan Mexican Folklore
Okanagan Mexican folklore dance group made its first debut in the Taste of Home event in 2012 with only 3 members and one song. At that time there was no group that represented the Mexican culture, so we decide to try to create one and so we started by learning choreographies from YouTube. We began preparing a performance to share a little of our culture with the community. Little by little more girls were joining the group. We all contribute ideas and give our opinion when a new song is included. Currently, the group has 12 members, 7 adults, and 5 younger girls.
Watch Our El Jarabe Tapatio Performance-Week 1!
Watch Our Alazanas Performance-Week 2!
Watch Our La Raspa Performance-Week 3!
Kelowna Bhangra Academy
Kelowna Bhangra Academy
is the only Bhangra school in town. Bhangra is a very joyful dance that comes from the Punjabi region of India. It has no formal repertoire but has some characteristic moves. They are jumbled up according to the song or rhythm and danced. Their studio, located on Houghton Rd., it is where they will teach you how to Bhangra.
For further information, you can contact www.kelownabhangra.com
Banat Al Raks
Banat Al Raks
has been performing throughout the Okanagan Valley since 1998. They perform both Middle Eastern Folkloric styles and Belly Dance. Linda Kovach is the Artistic Director and Choreographer. She formed the group in 1993, but they didn’t decide on a name until 5 years later.
At present, they consist of 7 members ranging in age from teen to senior.