Mission Statement

The mission of the Crimson Coast Dance Society is to develop and support contemporary dance creations, productions, performances and educational opportunities at both grass roots and professional levels in Central Vancouver Island.

The principal objectives of Crimson Coast Dance Society are to create a place for professional dance on central Vancouver Island based in the City of Nanaimo and to support the creative, performance and production pursuits of artistic director Holly Bright. The Society is committed to raising the profile of dance, developing dance audiences outside the BC Lower Mainland and creating performance and teaching opportunities for professional dance artists in the growing cultural community in Nanaimo.

In pursuing its goals Crimson Coast Dance Society has demonstrated a pattern of local community development in the areas of dance creation, production and animation.

The mandate of Crimson Coast Dance Society is summarized as follows:

• To create regional working opportunities for regionally based emerging dance artists to develop their craft.

• To provide an environment and opportunities for regionally based emerging dance artists to develop their craft.

• To provide performance and teaching opportunities for regional, national and international dance professionals.
• To create educational opportunities for the local dance community.
• To develop an educated audience for dance on Central Vancouver Island.
• To create opportunities for the development of skills in performing arts production and administration.
• To contribute to the growing arts community and arts activities in Nanaimo and the central Island region.

From The Artistic Director,
Holly Bright

Welcome to the Crimson Coast! Nanaimo is home to both inspiring western sunsets and astounding dance performances! I moved to Nanaimo in 1992 and initially commuted to continue my work in dance. In 1996, I produced a full-length work in Nanaimo, and realized that there was an eager audience for contemporary dance located right here! Subsequently, I initiated the Crimson Coast Dance Society, and since then have worked alongside a number of diligent, dance-loving individuals to contribute to the development of modern dance and dance literacy in Nanaimo. The experience of dance has become a shared understanding in our community, and one that continues to grow at many levels, in many ways.

From my point of view, human physical expression is a frightfully powerful thing, wondrous and awesome. Delving into the articulation of the unspeakable remains a fascinating, gripping call for my work as either interpreter or choreographer. As a dance artist, sharing my work is integral to the creative process. In continuing to develop artistically, I have found myself fascinated with interpreting the works of choreographers who have a knack for weaving a visceral "aha!" into their dance pieces.

This sort of understanding cannot be expressed through words, but it is felt universally by those who see it, because it’s meaning is only discernible through the experience of being a human being.

Choreographically, an area of exploration for me is improvisation. This particular form of dance requires a presence in the moment, one that is both aware and mindful. As a form, it is as fulfilling as it is challenging. I have also begun to explore the physicalization of the voice. Through this exploration, I am aware that the voice is inseparable from not only breath, but also from movement. It is thought that a kind of sign language was our first system of communication, and I don't doubt that. We are far more at home with ourselves in our bodies than some might imagine or give themselves credit for, or even like, for that matter. Our bodies speak in
remarkable ways.

The terms that I have used to describe this art form - wondrous, powerful, mindful, fulfilling, challenging, remarkable – also describe the works that are brought to Nanaimo through our Dance On The Crimson Coast Series. We have been fortunate to have been inspired by the presence and performances of so many gifted artists!

The world offers as much difficulty as it does joy. Battles are fought, cruelties are left untold, new lives begin, hopes emerge, and scars and dreams breathe together. Our core questions remain the questions of the ages. We may discuss and argue, but we know that there is a collective sigh for beauty in the world, for individual integrity, for peace, and ultimately, for love. I believe that dance holds a place for beauty and for love that reveals the common expression of their varied definitions. This is vital in the world as it is today.

I am excited about dance. I love my job as a dance artist and I love sharing it. Sharing the work of great Canadian dancers and choreographers, and island based emerging dance artists is a privilege, and brings particular delight to my work. It is wonderful to have supported the development of 'a place for dance' in Nanaimo. I hope you share a passion for this art form. You are invited to share your inspirations and ideas with The Crimson Coast Dance Society. The possibilities are endless for dance in our community. Be a part of it along with us!

Holly Bright, Artistic and General Director,
Crimson Coast Dance Society

Holly Bright Biography:
Holly performs, choreographs, teaches, adjudicates contemporary dance festivals and facilitates movement with varied populations. She has guest taught at Cornish University Seattle, University of Akron, Ohio and The University of New Mexico, Las Cruces, and at various dance academies in Nanaimo, B.C, where she currently resides. She has worked with many choreographers and companies including; Senta Driver, Hanya Holm, Agnes de Mille, Nina Weiner, Maureen Fleming-Odo, Lynne Taylor Corbett in New York City , Helen Myers, New Mexico and Margie Gillis, Chick Snipper, Kokoro Dance, Judith Marcuse (film), Lee Eisler, Deborah Dunn, Judith Garay, Jennifer Mascall and Cheryl Prophet in Vancouver.

Her Musical Theatre choreographic background has been with experimental or original works; Euphemia (Akron, Ohio), The Spirit of Bleeker Street (NYC), A Good Person? (Malaspina University Theatre). She choreographed Hot Flashes with Theatre One (Nanaimo) and Heidi with Chemainus Theatre (Chemainus). She has performed as a "hot box dancer" in Guys and Dolls (Ohio) and thoroughly enjoyed creating the leading role in an original play, The Swing of Things (NYC).

Holly holds a BA in Dance and a BSc in Human Physiology, and is a certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst. Holly is the Artistic and General Director for The Crimson Coast Dance Society in Nanaimo, BC. She curates their series, DANCE ON THE CRIMSON COAST, which presents professional dance performances and workshops throughout the year.