WADE (Wandering Avian Dance Experience) is producing a split bill performance on Monday, November 25th to mark the importance of the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism 2024. The event brings together two talented choreographers from two geographical regions at different stages of their career who use very distinct approaches to dance. The performance highlights the wisdom and expressiveness of the moving body that unites different people in a collective action against violence.

Since its inception in 2021, WADE, a female-led not-for-profit arts organization has operated with the desire to bring awareness to gender-based violence and to highlight the power of art in civil society. We highlight voices of artists who have been historically underrepresented and make art and activism more accessible to create conversations. Through the WADEintoACTIVISM Festival, WADE has presented so far over 100 artists, researchers and activists from five continents and over 40 countries, including Ghana, Palestine, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iran, France, Italy, Armenia, Colombia and the US.

Featured works:

Variations On A theme
by Chowk Productions

Raka Maitra (she/her) is a dancer and choreographer who defies the conventional dichotomy of 'classical' and 'contemporary'.  She is a dancer simpliciter; exploring through her work the notion of 'Asian Culture' through her own language of contemporary dance. The basis of her movement is both the martial arts and classical Indian dance. Trained in both classical Odissi and Chhaua, Raka was an associate artist with The Substation, from 2007-2011 and co-artistic director from 2020-2021. Maitra founded Chowk Productions in 2014 after being awarded the Seed Grant by the National Arts Council.

초희|Chohui
by Dahyun Kim

Dahyun Kim (she/they), pronounced [Da-hyeon Khim] is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Seoul, Republic of Korea. She has recently received her M.F.A. in Dance at Tisch School of the Arts and M.A. in Dance Education at Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dahyun is deeply passionate about creating a culturally responsive and research based practice. In reflection of such nature, her artistry is attuned to her gaze of the current world. She has been cultivating a series of pieces dedicated to sharing with the world the nuanced beauties that lie in Korean culture and art forms as can be seen in “흥|Joy”(2021), “수심가|Depth of Water”(2023), and “일엽편주|Paper Boat”(2023).