Tour with Special Guest dance Immersion

If you have a passion for movement, join us for a tour of the newly redeveloped Nia Centre for the Arts, presented in partnership with dance Immersion.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour all three floors of The Centre, which will include a brief lecture-demonstration by tap dancer Travis Knights, as well as participatory performance by Zahra Moves, accompanied by a group of talented drummers.

After breaking ground in 2020, we have been renovating our building at 524 Oakwood Avenue in Little Jamaica. This state of the art, multipurpose facility is Canada’s first, professional, multidisciplinary arts centre. This historic space is the result of a $12 million capital project, where Canadians from all walks of life contributed to the creation of this building. As we reopen our doors to community, we invite artists, young creatives, and community members to tour our newly redeveloped Centre.

Parking

Paid parking is available along Oakwood Avenue. Green P parking lots are available at 341 and 406 Oakwood Avenue – both a 5 minute walk from The Centre.

About Travis Knights

Travis Knights is a Tap Dancer. Born in Montreal, Canada, Travis was introduced to the rich oral tradition of Tap by his teacher Ethel Bruneau at age 10. He went on to travel the world spreading his love of rhythm across 4 continents, touring with Tap Dogs, Tapestry Dance Company, and the self-produced Tap Love Tour.  In 2019 Travis finished a two-year community development residency at the Tranzac Club in Toronto hosting the Jazz United Jam, a weekly jazz jam session aimed at reconnecting live musicians with dancers.  He was the 2020 recipient of the Jaqueline Lemieux Prize for outstanding contribution to dance in Canada. In 2021, in partnership with Anandam DanceTheatre, Travis debuted an original work ‘Ephemeral Artifacts’, a 4 channel video installation, with original sound design, lighting and sculptures of bells onto the historic building of Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto.  In December 2021, in partnership with Dance Immersion, Travis, along with renowned Tap Dancer Lisa LaTouche, created and directed Legacy Series: Tap Dance Symposium which aimed to re-introduce Tap Dance to the local Black community in Toronto.  In 2022, Travis toured 4 international cities with Ephemeral Artifacts, won a Dora Award for Outstanding Performance in Dance Immersion’s Tap Legacy Concert, and became a Slaight Family Music Associate at Soulpepper.  He currently lives in Brampton, Ontario and hosts The Tap Love Tour Podcast, available on Spotify, Soundcloud and apple podcasts, (make sure to subscribe) featuring interviews of a myriad of inspiring tap dance artists. 

About Zahra Moves

ZahraMoves is an educational and performance based brand founded in 2019 by dance educator and choreographer Zahra Badua. Its mission is to disseminate knowledge about the vast beauty and history of Afro-Diasporic dance. 

The brand provides classes/workshops/lectures that educate people on the complexities of Black dances from the African Diaspora as well, teaching about West African and Caribbean cultures through movement. The style they specialize in are Traditional West African dances from Guinea and Ghana, Contemporary and street styles from West Africa, Afro-Caribbean folklore from Trinidad, Soca and dancehall. They teach dance and drum lessons to all ages and all levels, from primary level students to recreational adults. 

In addition, ZahraMoves produces a collection of video projects and curated showcases with the goal to create opportunities for emerging female identifying artists of color. Whether through seminars, podcast discussions, or movement workshops, the aim of the brand is to create a holistic view of the different facets of African diasporic dances.

About dance Immersion

dance Immersion is a charitable non-profit organization committed to advancing and connecting communities through producing, promoting, and supporting dancers and dances of the African Diaspora. Through award-winning programs they offer presentation, skill development, and networking opportunities for Blacks in dance. Website