Shake and Integrate

Since September 2023, As a resident artist, The centre for newcomers and myself (Edward Campbell) have delivered an art program called “Evoke,” which consists of recreational and performance / social dance classes of Hip Hop & Breakdancing for youth, adults and LGBTQ+ groups for monthly mental wellness retreats alongside the Tool of Mental Health Program (TIES), from ages 8 to 14 and 15+ years, with the overall aim of bridging the gap between artistic expression and community engagement.

These classes were delivered at the Centre for Newcomers, a primary settlement services agency for immigrants and refugees arriving in Calgary and the surrounding area. Through the Centre’s youth department, we prioritize first- and second-generation youth who are either vulnerable to negative peer pressure, at risk due to financial barriers, or at high risk for criminal involvement.

Through this art program, these youths and adults are provided with a sense of belonging and routine, creating a therapeutic space for newcomer youth with past trauma and a sense of loss from their home countries. The program has allowed youth to feel connected with each other, meet new peers with similar backgrounds, and provide opportunities to practice English despite their homeland language.

The dance classes are taught with a process that evokes growth, self-awareness, discipline, and culturally shared knowledge through movement by teaching social dances of Hip Hop and breakdancing for youth and adults in a fun, challenging, non-judgemental and progressive environment. Sessions that help a society to become more present by being in tune with their mind and bodies are important to share with the local Calgarians and new immigrants the core values of this global dance and culture that has been alive for 50 years in the world and also in our city. A culture that could be a bridge for people who can't afford professional training yet but want to start working on themselves somehow and to help connect new immigrants to our city with a multicultural practice that can develop not only great future leaders, and artists but also resilient youth-adults citizens and future citizens. the one-hour classes of The Evoke Program occurred three times a week delivered once on Tuesdays and twice on Saturdays, with an average of 8 to 25+ youth and adults per class with the support of the Centre of Newcomers on a 6-week program renewal schedule.

Want to support this program to grow and continue?

Do you want to offer workshops in your organization?