Festival Of Dance Annapolis Royal

08/08/2026

31 years and counting. Paint the Town is almost here!

[Press Release] A New Chapter for Paint the Town as It Celebrates 31 Years - https://mailchi.mp/4d1610071162/ptt-2026

08/01/2026

Time to get those feet moving! FODAR Artistic Director Randy Glynn is giving a one-hour contemporary dance class for all ages Tuesdays and Fridays at St. Luke’s Anglican Church Hall. Classes start August 4. Time: 10am. No experience is necessary. Price is ‘Pay-What-You-Choose’ – with a suggested price of $10. No need to register. Drop ins are welcome.

07/19/2026

Saturday night it was a captivating ending to a magical festival as A’nó:wara Dance Theatre closed Program Two with the spellbinding finale from “I Dream in Wampum”. Five days seemed to fly by begining with two wonderful rain-free evenings at Market Dances. Then it was on to the breathtaking MainStage presentations at King’s Theatre.

Our thanks go out to the Town of Annapolis Royal, our donors and funders, the FODAR Festival Staff and Production Crew, King’s Theatre Executive Director Janet Larkman and the Theatre Administration and Production Staff.

Indigenous choreographers are reshaping contemporary dance, bringing their remembered experiences and their passion to create new ways of looking at the artform. This festival was brought to life thanks to the incredible commitment, vision and talent of our artists. This year we were proud and delighted to devote our MainStage programming to work from some of Canada’s finest Indigenous choreographers.

And finally, a big thank you goes out to our wonderful audiences who once again came out to support Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal. We hope to see you again next year!

Photo1: Warmup before the show – A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. Photo 2: Warmup before the show - “I Dream in Wampum” Creator Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo. Photo 3: Michael Tekaronianeken Diabo, Musician/Composer. Photo 4: Curtis Whittaker FODAR Production and Technical Support. Photo 5: Rhynn Winstead, Assistant Stage Manager. Photo 6: (Right )Tiiu Poder, Principal, Base Atlantic and Terry Roscoe past SOCOA Board member and one of the original “Dancing in the Third Act”performers.The show that started it all! Photo 7: King’s Theatre Volunteer Dorian Ellis. Photo 8: Wayne Boucher, Contemporary Canadian Visual Artist, long standing member of the Royal Canadian Academy and one of the original “Dancing in the Third Act” performers.

07/18/2026

We were thrilled to learn last evening that PROGRAM ONE “If Then’” Choreographer and Dancer Jera Wolfe has been named to the Dance Collection Danse 2026 Hall of Fame. The Awards celebrate artists, educators, leaders and visionaries whose work has enriched dance in Canada.

Jera is the recipient of the “Sandra Faire Next Generation Award”. In announcing the award DCD singled Jera out as one of Canada’s most exciting emerging dance artists. “Through powerful storytelling and innovative creation he continues to shape the future of Canadian dance while inspiring a new generation of performers and audiences.”

CONGRATULATIONS Jera!

Photo by Ally Gonzalo

07/18/2026

Friday evening was an exciting event at King’s Theatre as MainStage PROGRAM TWO opened with the premiere of “I Dream in Wampum”, an A’nó:wara Dance Theatre production. The audience jumped to their feet to salute the performers at the end of the spectacular finale.

In the audience were Miyeko Ferguson and Jera Wolfe who performed Jera’s incredible work “If Then” the evening before as part of PROGRAM ONE. (Photo 1). Also on hand to enjoy the show were Grace Butland, past Chair of the Society of the Company of Angels/ SOCOA, and FODAR co-founder (Photo 2); Sally O’Grady long serving SOCOA Board Member and Treasurer (Photo 3); King’s volunteer Cindy Younge and King’s House Manager Gregory Muszkie (Photo 4); and Ern Dick, archivist, oral historian and longtime supporter of the Festival (Photo 5).

Both PROGRAM ONE and PROGRAM TWO run again today. PROGRAM ONE at 2pm and PROGRAM TWO at 7:30pm. Tickets on sale at https://kingstheatre.ca or by calling 902-532-7704

07/17/2026

It was packed house at King’s Theatre last evening for the opening of MainStage PROGRAM ONE. Thanks to everyone for coming out to support FODAR. Tonight it’s on to PROGRAM TWO and ‘I Dream in Wampum’.

Photo 1: Maggie-Rene Grundy- Glynn, Festival Producer. Photo 2: (L) FODAR Curator Barbara Diabo and Strategic Arts Management (SAM) Board Director Pamela Grundy. Barbara is also the Creator of “I Dream in Wampum” which opens tonight (PROGRAM TWO). Photo 3: Michael Caldwell FODAR Curator and Artistic Director of SummerWorks (Toronto). Photo 4: (R) Susan, Past SOCOA Chair and her daughter Joan Keener. Photo 5: Long-time FODAR supporters Ted and Judy Lind. Ted is an ARCAC Board member and Judy, an active community volunteer. Photo 6: Marshall Diabo, Choreographer/Performer “Tasseomancy” and his mother Barbara Diabo.

07/16/2026

MAINSTAGE Shows are here!
Tonight we open with a spectacular Program One.

“If Then” — Choreographer: Jera Wolfe. Performers: Miyeko Ferguson and Jera Wolfe
“Tasseomancy” — Choreographer and Performer: Marshall Diabo
“Ps+ke’n Sqolj / Ditch Frog” — Choreographer and Performer: Sarah Prosper
“Anxiety” — Choreographer: Simik Komaksiutsiksak. Performers: Simik Komaksiutsiksak and Waabnookwe Katie Couchie

Tickets on sale now at King’s Theatre Box Office, online at https://www.kingstheatre.ca or by calling 992-532-7704
Photo 1: Jera Wolfe. Photo by Ally Gonzalo
Photo 2: Myeko Ferguson. Photo by Drew Berry
Photo 3: Marshall Diabo
Photo 4: Sarah Prosper
Photo 5: Simik Komaksiutsiksak.
Photo 6: Waabnookwe Katie Couchie. Courtesy of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre

07/15/2026

No rain, a wonderful audience and great performances. MARKET DANCES was a hit! Don’t miss your last chance to catch it tonight, July 15 at Market Square.

Photo 1: Dillon Tonkin, videographer and Carol Tonkin. Photo 2: FODAR’s favourite florist Lorraine Beswick. Photo 3. Left - FODAR AD Randy Glynn and Michael Copeman. Photo 4: A.J. Morra, Festival TD, Michael Caldwell, Festival Co-Curator; Curtis Whittaker - Production and Technical Support. Photo 5 Rhynn Winstead, MAINSTAGE Assistant Stage Manager. Photo 6: Janet Larkman, Executive Director, King’s Theatre. Photo 7 : Lina Namts, Choreographer/ Dancer. Photo 8: Lydia Zimmer, Choreographer/Dancer. Photo 9: Left to Right - Marshall Kahente Diabo - Dancer, Simik Komaksiutsiksak - Dancer, Barbara Diabo - Choreographer/ Dancer. Photo 10: Miyeko Ferguson- Dancer; Jera Wolfe- Dancer/ Choreographer. Photo 11: Simik Komaksiutsiksak- Choreographer/ Dancer; Waabanookwe Katie Couchie - Dancer. Photo 12: Marshall Kahente Diabo - Choreographer/ Dancer.

07/14/2026

Indigenous choreographers are reshaping our approach to contemporary dance, bringing their remembered experience and their passion for the artform to the stage. As part of the festival MAINSTAGE series PROGRAM ONE showcases works and performances by some of this country’s finest Indigenous contemporary choreographers and dancers.

“Tasseomancy” — Exploring the symbolic patterns of tea leaves, a practice deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions. — Choreographer | Performer Marshall Kahente Diabo

“Ps+ke’kn Sqolj – Ditch Frog” — Transformations of our spines, through multigenerational memory and our behavioural change. — Choreographer | Performer | Sarah Prosper

“Anxiety” — A compelling look into the history, personal stories, and current realities of Indigenous communities. — Choreographer | Simik Komaksiutiksak | Performers | Waabnookwe/Katie Couchie and Simik Komaksiutiksak

“If Then” — Two people meet and drift into a shared moment. Movement draws them together, then apart - uncertain what was real and what was imagined. — Choreographer | Jera Wolfe | Performers |Jera Wolfe and Miyeko Ferguson. Most recently, Jera Wolfe premiered his newest work “Kismet” on the National Ballet in Toronto to resounding standing ovations.

PROGRAM ONE runs Thursday, July 16 – 7:30pm and Saturday, July 18 – 2pm at King’s Theatre. Purchase tickets online at https://www.kingstheatre.ca or call the Box Office at 902-532-7704

Photo 1: Miyeko Ferguson and Jera Wolf. Photo by Bruce Zinger. Photo 2: Waabnookwe/Katie Couchie and Simik Komaksiutiksak. Photo courtesy of King’s Theatre
Photo 3: Sara Prosper

07/13/2026

FODAR is proud to be presenting a World Premiere as part of its MAINSTAGE. Series. “I Dream in Wampum”. Created by Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo and performed by A’nó:wara Dance Theatre, the production runs as PROGRAM TWO on Friday, July 17 – 7:30pm and Saturday, July 18 – 7:30pm at King’s Theatre.

The work is is a magical science fiction dance journey where Indigenous people show a future of strength and celebration. It takes us into the world of indigenous futurism.

Dancers of the company are: Marshall Kahente Diabo, Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo, Waabnookwe Katie Couchie, Nina Namts, Oliver Koomsatira and Simik Komaksiutiksak.

Over the past two weeks the dancers of the company have been putting the finishing touches on the work as part of this year’s Creative Residency Program. We can’t wait to see the results! Tickets are on sale at https://www.kingstheatre.ca
Photos: Photo 1: Production Photo by Elia Barbotin
Residency photos by Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo
Photo 2: Simik Komaksiutsiksak, Marshall Diabo, Lina Namts, Oliver Koomsatira. Photo 3: Marshall Diabo, Oliver Koomsatira, Lina Namts. Photo 4: Marshall Diabo, Simik Komaksiutsiksak, Lina Namts, Oliver Koomsatira. Photo 5: Lina Namts.