Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival 2024 returns for its 37th edition, bringing together creators, community members, and lovers of all things art across Turtle Island (Toronto) for a showcase of theatre, dance, and multidisciplinary work and works in development from November 21st to December 1st in Downtown Toronto.

This annual festival will feature music performances, a comedy night, crafting events, panel discussions, and fun ancillary programming throughout the festival, including conversations around artistic practice and artistic process, a book launch, and activations.

About Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival 2024

Presented by the Native Earth Performing Arts, Native Earth Performing Arts is Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous performing arts company. In its 41st year, Native Earth Performing Arts is dedicated to developing, producing, and presenting professional artistic expressions of the Indigenous experience in Canada. Through stage productions (theatre, dance, and multidisciplinary art), new script development, apprenticeships, and internships, Native Earth Performing Arts aims to showcase the artistic direction of members of the Indigenous community who actively participate in the arts.

The Weesageechak Begins to Dance 37 is a yearly celebration and showcase of Indigenous theatre, dance, and multidisciplinary works from Indigenous creators. This year’s edition features works from 13 creators, namely

• Aleria McKay (Haudenosaunee & Teme Augama Anishnabai mother/ Red River Métis & Dene Tha’ father)
• Candace Brunette-Debassige (Mushkegowuk Cree Nation/ member of Peetabeck in Treaty 9 Territory / Settler)
• Daniela Carmona Sanchez (Tenochtitlán)
• Julie Lumsden (Manitoba Metis Federation/ Settler)
• Kenneth T. Williams (George Gordon First Nation in the Treaty 4 territory)
• Lacey Hill (Oneida/Mohawk, Wolf Clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River Reservation)
• Montana Adams (Akwesasne)
• Robyn Grant-Moran (Métis)
• Smokii Sumac (ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa)
• Natasha Barlow (mikmaw)
• PJ Prudat (Métis/nehiyaw),
• The wâhkôhtowin project” (Yvette Nolan and Joel Bernbaum)
• and The NDN Act (Samantha Mandamin, Denise B. McLeod, Lena Recollect, and Jamie Whitecrow). 

Come partake in this continued celebration of Indigenous theatre, dance, and multidisciplinary works! 

As always, you can keep up with all the fun happenings in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area on efosa.

WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 37

Where: Aki Studio, 585 Dundas St E #250, Toronto

When: November 21st to December 1st,

• November 21st (Opening Night), 4:00 pm
• November 22nd, 4:00 pm
• November 23rd, 7:30 pm
• November 24th, 11:30 am
• November 27th, 3:00 pm
• November 28th, 3:00 pm
• November 29th, 7:30 pm
• November 30th, 7:30 pm
• December 1st (Closing Night), 2:30 pm

Admission: Priced. Tickets start at $15. Grab your tickets here.