Communities-in-Mocean Spring Blooms Photos 2026
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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COMMUNITIES IN MOCEAN - NORTHWOOD COHORT:
We Dance Because We Must
Program/Creative Director: Sara Coffin
Created and performed by: Alain Godbout, Carolyn Humphreys, Elizabeth MacGillivary, Lori Root, Marianne Rissesco, Marty Alpert, Sheilagh Henry, Susan Cameron, Susan Gabriel with additional contributions from: Dianne Milligan l
Rehearsal Assistants and Additional Performers: Francine Dulong, Bethany McMorine, Sam Penner, Ewa Jachimowicz
Sound Design/Editing: Sara Coffin
Music Selection: By the Deep Sea, Federico Albanese
I feel joy 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.
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COMMUNITIES IN MOCEAN - HALIFAX CENTRAL LIBRARY COHORT:
What We See, The Breath We Share, The Hope We Hold
Program/Creative Director: Sara Coffin
Created and performed by: Andrea D’Sylva, Elaine Macdonald, Eva Bogaczewicz, Gail Eskes, Georgina Chambers, Janet Holmes, Jenny de Zoete, Joan Nightingale, Rosanne Burke, Ruth Wolpin, Xiomara Arias, with additional contributions from: Elizabeth Berlasso, Joan Bowan, and the late Carl Wolpin.
Rehearsal Assistants and Additional Performers: Francine Dulong, Bethany McMorine, Sam Penner
Sound Design/Editing: Sara Coffin
Music Selection: What We See, 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 collective wave may spring into action from a single gesture?
This program is made possible through the generous support of the J & W Murphy Foundation, Northwood, Halifax Central Library, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and Shannex Cares.
