Blog post

Communities-in-Mocean Spring Blooms Photos 2025

posted May 26th, 2025

With immense pleasure Mocean Dance shared our second year of Communities in Mocean at Spring Blooms | The Dance of Life on April 2, 2025 at the Halifax Central Library. Communities in Mocean is a 10-week program that invites participants to embark on a collaborative creative journey. Older adults and retirees, guided by professional artists, share their personal stories and perspectives through movement, gestures, and various creative tools. These shared experiences are then woven into a unique dance performance, which is showcased to the public through our library presentation partnership

We are grateful for the support and participation from the Halifax Central Library and Northwood Inc. (Halifax) to bring this special program to the public and for the curosity, care, and playful spirit that each participant brings to the program.

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FROM STRONG ROOTS, THESE TENDER SHOOTS (2025)
Program Director: Sara Coffin
COMMUNITIES IN MOCEAN - CENTRAL LIBRARY COHORT
Created and performed by: Elizabeth Berlasso, Georgina Chambers, Jenny de Zoete, Elaine Macdonald, Joan Nightingale, Ligaya Femin, Gail Eskes, Carl Wolpin, Ruth Wolpin
Understudy: Loraine McBarron
Rehearsal Assistants and Additional Performers: Francine Dulong, Gabrielle Greener, Bethany McMorine
Sound Design/Editing: Sara Coffin
Music Selection: Shorelines by Grandbrothers

Using the tools of creative play, courage, and an openness to all possibilities, we gathered, shared snippets of our personal experience, and came together to dance. What is our collective moving poetry? What are the forces that move us? What garden of delight may spring into full bloom from a single seed?

CENTRAL LIBRARY PROGRAM

STORIES TO SHARE, SIDE BY SIDE (2025)
Program Director: Sara Coffin
COMMUNITIES IN MOCEAN - NORTHWOOD COHORT
Created and performed by: Susan Cameron, Juanita Bates, Judy Bonnell, Sheila Henry, Brooks McGrath, Dianne Milligan, Cameille Sherman
With contributions from: Paula Gates, Alice Pike, Serge Lachapelle
Rehearsal Assistants and Additional Performers: Francine Dulong, Gabrielle Greener, Bethany McMorine
Sound Design/Editing: Sara Coffin
Music Selection: Tourbillon by Julia Kent

I come from… My heart feels held when… In community, together we share… From these simple prompts we shared stories, recalled sweet memories, exchanged smiles and we built a framework to move together. Translating the nugget of a memory into a moving tableau and a song for us to dance along to; we extend our reach, shape a gesture with care, and feel connected.