I Dance to Express

What do you freestyle about and how does it showcase a part of your identity? “My journey with my sexuality is very much intertwined with my journey as a dancer, because I think I’ve been expressing certain feelings that I didn’t even know I had kind of my whole life. Specifically I wanted to talk about the first time I realized I had a crush on a woman, because I’ve been experiencing that my whole life, but I also have been experiencing compulsive heterosexuality for a big part of my life, so I didn’t realize that’s what was happening. But the first time I knew, I really knew and I really felt everything. I cannot explain it in words. That’s kind of why I wanted to express it this way. Dance has been a vessel for that. Like always, I just really am who I am when I’m dancing, and there’s no looking away from it, and so it allowed me to release my feelings before I even could say what they were. And I think also my confidence and my ability to be comfortable with my sexuality comes from being in such a supportive dance community, but also a dance community where individuality is so celebrated and so important. Basically, I’m a Pisces, so I’m still going through my journey right now, but I really wanted to feel like really romantic about everything.” 🏳️‍🌈 - @samanthakelllyyy #yannies #yan #youthactionnow @youthactionnow

Proud beneficiary of two awards - Winner of the 2022 and Winner of the people’s choice: Best Movement/Sports. This achievement would not have been possible without the involvement of all the choreographers, mentors, volunteers, sponsors and dancers who believed in us and who participated in our initiative. Special shout out to @janickarseneau @hannah.pierre @miambi.kasse @phopho44rastagyal @nnnewmann @marilynecp for your part in IDTE showcase. Thank you to the dancers who embodied the work we do and represent us at the awards. @samanthakelllyyy @rgoals_bmdup @zomapher Finally, a moment of gratitude for a hard working, caring and dedicated partner, that unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the ceremony: @halimameyero None of this would’ve existed without you and your brain ✨♥️ It is our pleasure to be able to create opportunities to represent and give voice to parts of your precious identities through your body and movements. 💃🏽🕺🏽 - Carolina [They/Them]

EP. 3 - THE SAPPHIC SERIES This video illustrate healthy love between two queer bipoc women. A testimony and proof that the hard work towards self-acceptance pays off. A final episode that demonstrate a happy ending. Thanks to @youthactionnow for supporting us in this project. Thanks to @halimameyero and @babygirltyty_ for embodying my vision. Thanks to @directedbymc for making your magic. Mix by @thisiscarolina Concept by @thisiscarolina Choreography by @thisiscarolina Artistic direction and production by @thisiscarolina and @halimameyero Editing and filming by @directedbymc Song by @kehlani #thisiscarolinachoreo #thisiscarolina #thesapphicseries #sapphicseries #sapphicottawa #queer #queerdancers #queerottawa #lesbianpride #bipocqueer #queerbipoc #bipoclesbian #wlw #danceottawa #queerartist #interracialcouple

EP. 2 - SAPPHIC SERIES The effects of internalized homophobia manifests itself frequently, consciously and/or unconsciously, resulting in distress in the person experiencing it. This episode demonstrate the impact it can have on both partners as well as the emotional roller coaster experience it can bring. Thanks to @youthactionnow for supporting us in this project. Thanks to @monicapurification and @samanthakelllyyy for being part of this vision. Thanks to @directedbymc for making your magic. Thanks to @halimameyero for being you. Mix by @thisiscarolina Concept by @thisiscarolina Choreography by @thisiscarolina Artistic direction and production by @thisiscarolina and @halimameyero Editing and filming by @directedbymc Song by @aliciakeys #thisiscarolinachoreo #thisiscarolina #thesapphicseries #sapphicseries #sapphicottawa #queer #queerdancers #queerottawa #lesbianpride #bipocqueer #queerbipoc #bipoclesbian #wlw #danceottawa #queerartist #interracialcouple

EP. 1 - SAPPHIC SERIES Compulsory heterosexuality, often shortened to comphet, popularized by Adrienne Rich, is concept that implies that heterosexuality is assumed and imposed on people by a patriarchal and heteronormative society, thus pushing young women to deny their homosexuality for the purpose of integration. This episode demonstrate a battle between adapting to societal norms and choosing one’s self. Thanks to @youthactionnow for supporting us in this project. Thanks to @queencheezy_ and @itsmandeepnotmandy for being part of this vision. Thanks to @directedbymc for making your magic. Thanks to @clubsagacite for the space. Thanks to @halimameyero for being you. Mix by @thisiscarolina Concept by @thisiscarolina Choreography by @thisiscarolina Artistic direction and production by @thisiscarolina and @halimameyero Editing and filming by @directedbymc Song by @amaarae #thisiscarolinachoreo #thisiscarolina #thesapphicseries #sapphicseries #sapphicottawa #queer #queerdancers #queerottawa #lesbianpride #bipocqueer #queerbipoc #bipoclesbian #wlw #danceottawa #queerartist

Some pictures of our performing artists during 🧜‍♀️ SIRENS NIGHT 🧜‍♀️ Artists: @mukaziii @zineballaoui @mayaspoken 📸: @hannahvig_ #sapphicottawa #idteshowcase #sirensnight #ottawaartists #ottawaevents #ottawaart #queer #queerpride #queerevent #queerottawa #artevent #art #queerart

COME SUPPORT QUEER x BIPOC ARTISTS FROM OTTAWA FOR #pridemonth 🏳️‍🌈 🎟️ Tickets in our bio #ottawapride #ottawaevent #ottawadancers #dance #dancers #queerdancers #bipocdancers #queerdance #wlw #queerevents #ottawaart #ottawaartist #vogue

COME SUPPORT QUEER x BIPOC ARTISTS FROM OTTAWA FOR #pridemonth 🏳️‍🌈 🎟️ Tickets in our bio #ottawapride #ottawaevent #ottawapoets #poetry #bipocpoets #queerpoetry #queerpoet #wlw #queerevents #ottawaart #ottawaartist

COME SUPPORT QUEER x BIPOC ARTISTS FROM OTTAWA FOR #pridemonth 🏳️‍🌈 🎟️ Tickets in our bio #ottawapride #ottawaevent #ottawasingers #singer #bipocsinger #queersinger #wlw #queerevents

Ep. 1 of The Sapphic Series : Compulsory Heterosexuality Come watch the premiere and support QUEERxBIPOC artists on June 8th at SAW Gallery at 20h 🌞 🎟️ Tickets available in our bio #lgbtq #prideottawa #prideevent #ottawaevent #wlwottawa #lgbtqottawa #queerevents #queerottawa #bipoc #bipocevents

Ep. 3 of The Sapphic Series: Healthy Love Come watch the premiere with us and support QUEERxBIPOC artists on June 8th at SAW Gallery at 20h 🌞 🎟️ Tickets available in our bio

IDTE presents ✨ Sirens Night ✨ A BIPOCxQueer-inclusive art soiree and dance video premiere of Sapphic Stories to Tell. Come see up -and- coming Queer and or BIPOC local artists including dancers, poets, painters and singers. When: Thursday, June 8th 2023 8PM to 10PM Where: SAW Gallery, Ottawa, ON Ticket: 15$ / 20$ at the door LINK IN BIO @saw_centre @youthactionnow