 Professional Dance Performers in Winnipeg

Dance Performances

M. Funk Dance Productions is a local commercial jazz dance company that offers performances in a variety of themes. The company has performed at conventions, festivals, as an opening act for out of town performers, weddings, high school reunions, self-produced showcases, galas, fundraisers and more!

The director of M. Funk Dance Productions, Meagan Funk, has worked for Carnival Cruise Lines and various professional dance companies throughout Toronto and Niagara Falls. Her work as a dancer/magician’s assistant at the Greg Frewin Theatre was a unique experience that included illusions where she would get cut in half and turned into tigers! In 2014, she moved back to Winnipeg to share her experience, knowledge and passion with the Winnipeg dance community by offering unique dance programs and high-quality performances.

M. Funk Dance Productions can custom create dance performances specific to your event in any theme, including classic showgirls, disco, roaring 20’s, cabaret, country-western, holiday themes, etc.

Traditional Red River Jig

Stompers Mission

To help re-capture and preserve the history of the Métis people through the traditional dancing of the Red River jig. To have fun and enjoy the richness of the Métis tradition through the Red River Jig combined with square dancing which has been done in the First Nations Communities for so many years aptly named the Red River Dance. Our Group Members are half Metis and half First nations.

The Red River Jig was developed in the late 1700s by the first Métis colony which was at the junction of the Red & Assiniboine rivers (now known as the forks in the city of Winnipeg) to attract fur traders into the colony to trade furs.

Our purpose is to help bring hope to our children in our Aboriginal Communities by taking something right out of the community (The Fiddle and Jig) to the World Stage successfully and independently. The Fiddle and Red River Jig have a long history in our communities and the rest of the World is embracing it. The Stompers receive standing ovations wherever they perform and it is not about the Stompers, it is about the dance which has been passed down by our ancestors. We now plan to pass the Jig on to our youth and therefore have youth in our group at almost every performance.

Asham Name History

James Isham, an employee with The Hudson Bay Company, moved here from England in the late 1700s and was posted at York Factory. After an extended period, his term with HBC ended and he moved back to England with his Native wife and son. He was made so much fun with his aboriginal family that he moved back to Manitoba and changed his name to Asham. His grandson John Asham later became treaty number 000001 on the Ebb & Flow Indian Reserve. From him, all of the many Asham’s descended. Some settling in Crane River, Pequis, Portage La Prairie and other Manitoba communities.

Light and Fire Dance Group

The Medicine Weavers are a multi-faceted trio of light dancers using L.E.D.s and fire. We can accommodate smaller or large spaces, indoor or outdoor spaces, as well as on stage as a focal point or in the background to provide ambiance.

Break Dancers, Freestyle

Dangerous Goods Crew has been together as a group since 2002, the group is made of three different groups in Winnipeg that remained to continue and dance to represent Winnipeg city. We have battled, performed and judge competitions across Canada, the U.S and even outside of the country Like UK, Holland and Spain. The group has been representing in all different aspects of competitions such as solo battles, 2vs2, 3vs3 and group competitions; a couple of famous competition as Break4Bread, Bboy Unit, Beyond Stylez, Cypher Famous, Falling with Style, City vs City, I.B.E and Freestyle Session. The group also has done some performances and open up for artists like; Ludacris, Dela Soul, Ivana Santili, Kanye West, Camillionaire and ABDC Champions, The Jabbawockeez.

African Dance Group

Casimiro Nhussi is a professional African dancer, choreographer, dance instructor and musician based in Winnipeg. Born in Mozambique, Africa, he has been a dance professional since 1982. Starting his career as a dancer, Casimiro then became the principal dancer, and then the Artistic Director of the Mozambique National Song and Dance Company. Currently, Casimiro is the Artistic Director and Founder of Winnipeg’s only African contemporary dance company; Nafro Dance Productions.

Nafro Dance Productions was started in 2002 as the result of Artistic Director Casimiro Nhussi’s relentless enthusiasm for sharing the beauty of his homeland’s culture with the rest of the world. Nafro Dance is the only African contemporary dance company in Western Canada, bringing a style of dance to Canada and Winnipeg that is well-known in the rest of the world, but which is still young here in the prairies. Nafro’s goal is to encourage and assist the development of both African and African-Canadian Dancers and choreographers by giving them a place to explore and realize their thoughts and goals, and to have a great time along the way.

Belly Dancer

The Beginnings

At 19, she was captivated by the strong, sinuous movements of the duo, GaiaPente, who were illuminated by the moonlight and the flames of fire dancers. She had never taken interest in belly dance until this moment.

She would explain fusion belly dance to someone who has never seen it as "traditional belly dance’s badass sister"; as its unique art form. Accalia reveres the dance style as a living art form - ever-challenging, and always full of fresh possibility. She began taking lessons with Tara of GaiaPente not long after she first saw fusion belly dance performed on that summer night in 2006.

Ongoing Dance Education

Accalia has been practicing fusion belly dance for 8 years, studying in Winnipeg and at workshops in San Fransisco & Sebastopol, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and she has completed Rachel Brice's 8 Elements™ Phase 1: Initiation with recognition in Portland, Oregon.

Professional Performance and Instruction

Accalia performs at special events, restaurants and festivals. She has performed with various electronic music DJs, creating fresh, innovative interpretations of belly dance by drawing on contemporary dance and urban liquid style. Highlights include Santa Fe's downtempo duo, Desert Dwellers at Shambhala, The Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition (MEME), and for DJ Vilify (Montréal).

She has collaborated with several local performing artists, including Prairie Sol, Patron of Dreams, GaiaPente, LunaSol, Sidramara, and the fiery duo, Hot & Bothered.

Upon beginning teaching in 2012, Accalia hosted Manitoba's first explicitly LGBT* allied belly dance classes. She actively cultivates a positive space for people of all gender and non-gender identities. As a result of this, her classes have maintained a diverse and safe space that allows for learning and discovery.

Foundations

The tenets of her dance practice include yoga, resistance training and core strengthening exercises, various technique drills, online dance practice resources, and collaboration within the belly dance community.

Dance Style

She is fascinated with the interplay of dancer and space - the ability to shape the mood, air texture - and to infuse the space with a certain feeling. Her style is characterized by staccato to silky textures, isolations, pops and locks, and choreographed as well as improvised group and solo performances. Props include a fire sword, palm torches, and fire hip belt.

Additional Passions

Accalia loves writing, long-distance running, spending time with human and nonhuman friends, including her cats, Mortimer and Pablo. Her Bachelor's degree is in Political Science with a focus on International Relations in the Middle East. Accalia is also an avid animal welfare advocate. She has raised funds for Mercy For Animals Canada through her Karma Belly dance Classes, which also promote a plant-based diet and compassionate lifestyle.

Polynesian Dance Group

We offer a high energy, authentic, family-friendly presentation of music and dance from the Pacific Islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand. We are dedicated to sharing the beauty, joy and authenticity of the diverse cultures of Polynesia. We showcase the cultures of Polynesia in a show the whole family can enjoy. 

Our package options:

Paopao Package:

Live band, 30-minute performance (approx 4 dances)
No sound gear provided

Takia Package:

Live band, 60-minute performance with audience participation
Coconut history and demonstration of how to crack it
Learn a hula dance with us
Sound gear provided

Dance and Drum Group

Viva Brasil has been in Winnipeg since 2002. Mestre Indio is the head of this amazing group. He is the first Mestre in Manitoba. He originally was from Recife, Brasil. We are a martial arts performing group teaching out of Gracie Humaita Gym (181 Stradbrook). Our students learn the martial art called Capoeira, which has been around for 300 hundred years. Capoeira was developed by the African slaves that were brought to Brasil. The slaves were able to free themselves from their Masters with Capoeira. Our students also learn to play traditional capoeira instruments and learn cultural dances from Brasil. We started a new project this year—our Bateria group. This is a huge drumming group. Viva Brasil has been performing throughout Canada and into the States. We also have hosted the Brazilian Pavilion through Folklorama for the last 8 years. Where we have been the number one pavilion. Our group has been able to perform in schools, parties, other festivals, weddings, and huge corporate events. Large or small, we are honoured to share our culture with everyone. We truly are a multi-cultural group.

Dances and Classes

Officially registered with the Province of Manitoba on April 2006, our company's teaching history in Winnipeg goes way past that. Virage is a French word which means a sharp turn or a change of direction. True to our name, Virage Dance Co. moves forward with the revolutionary teaching style, performances, and work ethics. We have toured and performed at many different dance congresses, studied dancing and teaching skills from the best dancers and teachers, and we are here to entertain, inspire and teach you.

About our Teachers

We take great pride in the quality of our dance instruction. We hire people who are not just great dancers, but also exceptional teachers, to ensure the optimal learning experience and a friendly, encouraging environment for our students. Honed from years of practice, our ability to break dance steps down into small pieces and explain it in general terms, combined with our skill in responding to a student's unique learning style, sets us apart from others. Learn more about our teachers.

About our Performers

We thrive for high-quality performances and we take pride in our professionalism. Consequently, dancers had to go through a tight audition process to be a part of our performance team. The current team consists of dancers from various dance backgrounds and each individual contributes to the team producing complete and balanced performances. Our performance team would be happy to dance and entertain you at your event, may it be your wedding reception, birthday party, corporate event, or any other event. You can choose from any of our pre-choreographed routines, or we can dance to a song of your choice. Learn more about our performers.

Flamenco, Gypsy Flair & Spanish

Here are some sample package options:

Icebreaker Package A) 15 minutes: Four to six dancers performing a mix of flamenco and classical Spanish dance to recorded music.

Flamenco and dance package B) 20-30 minutes set: Six to eight dancers performing a mix of flamenco and Spanish dance with costume change to recorded music.

Flamenco, Gypsy Flair and Spanish dance package C) Two sets of 20-30 minutes: Six to eight dancers. The first set can be more elegant with graceful classical Spanish dances including long trained dresses. The second set can be the more fiery flamenco with its Gypsy flair. All to recorded music.

Flamenco, Gypsy Flair and Spanish Dance with live musicians package D) Same as option C) but with the live musical accompaniment of guitar, percussion, and keyboard.

Deluxe package: same as D -adding violin/harp player thus enabling the musical ensemble to do musical interludes in between dance numbers creating a sophisticated atmosphere.

Aboriginal Dances and Classes

The Aboriginal School of Dance has made an explosive presence in the entertainment industry. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba it was founded by Buffy Handel only one year ago, this group has already embarked on participating in numerous large events such as; Festival Du Voyageur, The Creative Stage at the centennial concert hall, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Right of Spring and opening for Buffy St. Marie at the Brandon Folk Festival.

The Aboriginal School of Dance strives for great choreography that showcases new limits, working traditional styles with contemporary fields. They are also able to perform educational traditional showcases in forms such as songs, dance, storytelling and interactive clinics.

Our performances are known for how we express multiculturalism through the art of music and dance. We break the stereotype of physical performance and identity expressed by indigenous people. We travel performing for daycares, schools, universities, conferences and fairs/rodeos.

The Aboriginal School of Dance trains young aboriginal people as professional performers and also provides skills to be independent. In April 2010, a theatre was rented to put on a near sell-out independent production called “GLOW”. It was a 120-minute glow in the dark performance which left the audience emotional and satisfied. This production fused samba, salsa and round dancing along with many more eye-catching, toe-tapping, hand-clapping memories.

The Gago Brothers are a b-boy (breakdance) crew from Winnipeg. Founded in 2007, the crew was originally named ‘gago’ which means stupid in Filipino. Over time and over multiple generations of dancers, the name evolved to stand for ‘Good attitude, Great outcome’. This mindset, as well as a high emphasis on teamwork, has led The Gago Brothers to be the premier b-boy crew in Winnipeg today! Offering performances and workshops, learn the history of the dance and witness the dynamic and exciting moves from a professional breakdance team.

Kevan Francis is a professional Jamaican Dancehall and Traditional Afro-Caribbean Folk Dancer and choreographer in Winnipeg. He has performed professionally for 20 years with a high-energy drumming and dance group in Jamaica.

Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, Kevan grew up in a family of musicians where music and dance were a large and important part of the culture and upbringing. Because of this, dance is a part of who he is, body and soul. This comes through in the energy he brings when dancing, which is contagious and pulls others in to join in the festivity.

Kevan believes dance can be a positive influence on the world. He endeavours to share his dance style and vibe with Canada by means of Jamaican Dancehall (including Afro-beats) and Traditional Afro-Caribbean Folk. Watch his moves and join in the fun!


SEE MORE OF KEVAN’S WORK!