Community Dance Stage
The Nuit Blanche Community Dance Stage is a celebration of local dance groups right in the heart of the NBYXE festival footprint. With performances scheduled throughout the night, you are encouraged to visit the Community Dance Stage and foster a social connection through collaboration and cultural expression. Learn more about groups that will be featured on the Community Dance Stage below.
This year’s Community Dance Stage is brought to us through a partnership with our Friends at Dance Saskatchewan.
Introducing our host Dr. Jennifer Nikolai!
Dr. Jennifer Nikolai is a dance and performance studies scholar. Her research is grounded in over two decades of experience in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies as a Post-Secondary Educator and Dance/Theatre Pedagogue.
Performance Schedule
Opening Prayer Judy Greyeyes - 7:15pm
5th Circle Breaking Crew - 7:30 pm
Lawrence Roy - 7:45 pm
Kimowan Ahenkew - 8:00 pm
Leleka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble - 8:15 pm
Dance with Grace and Beauty - 8:30 pm
5th Circle Breaking Crew - 8:45 pm
Lawrence Roy - 9:00 pm
Kimowan Ahenkew - 9:15 pm
Leleka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble - 9:30 pm
Dance with Grace and Beauty - 9:45 pm
Danspirations- Salsa Workshop - 10:00 pm
Leleka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble - 11:00 pm
Dance with Grace and Beauty - 11:15 pm
Proudly Supported by Affinity Credit Union
Judy Greyeyes
Judy Greyeyes identifies mainly as nēhiyaw. To be true to her ancestors, Judy’s paternal great-great-grandfather was Scottish, and her paternal grandmother was Anishinaabe from Lake of the Woods. Her maternal great-grandmother was French-Metis from Green Lake. She has nēhiyaw teachings, which is why she identifies as nēhiyaw.
When she worked with the Saskatoon Public Schools, she enjoyed going to the classrooms to share what she was taught with the teachers and students. She now works with Reconciliation Saskatoon, Saskatoon Open Door Society, the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association and the Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies.
Kimowan Kisik Ahenakew
Tansi Kiyawaw, my name is Kimowan Kisik Ahenakew, and I come from Ahtahkakoop First Nation. My name, Kimowan Kisik, is in the Plains Cree language and means "Raining Sky."
I have loved powwow dancing since I was able to walk. I am the second youngest of five siblings, and we are a family of powwow dancers. My mother, Hazel Ahenakew, also danced powwow and created colorful, beaded regalia for my siblings and me.
Through many years of dancing and learning alongside my family, I have grown to become an accomplished dancer in the women’s powwow dance categories. I dance Ladies' Traditional, Fancy, and Jingle.
I am I am grateful for the time and spaces that allow me to share my pow-wow dance styles. Thank you.
LAWRENCE ROY
Hoop dancing has been a lifelong engagement for Lawrence Roy. He has been hoop dancing since 1989. Lawrence started with the style of 21 hoops, then the style of 17 hoops. Today he dances with 30 total.
He loves to teach anyone that wants to learn, and brings many teachings of the hoop, the origin and humour in his performance and stories. For Lawrence, dancing is all about health, and maintaining a good connection with Mother Nature. When he dances, he tries to feel the sky, the wind, the sun, and talk with everything around him.
Leleka Ukrainian dance ensemble
Leleka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is a Saskatoon-based artistic collective exploring the meeting point of Ukrainian heritage and contemporary movement. Rooted in tradition yet driven by creativity, Leleka transforms folk dance, music, and visual storytelling into dynamic performances that connect cultures, generations, and artistic worlds—honouring the past while imagining new possibilities for the future.
About The Performance:
As Ukraine is living through a terrible war that has lasted for over four years, everyone is looking toward the future — Ukraine after the war. Every night, Russian attacks hit civilian buildings. During the day, Ukrainian people get up and make their culture stronger, more beautiful, and more creative.
Tonight, we are working with Lesya Ukrainka’s well-known drama Forest Song, giving it a new look with Ukrainian contemporary music and choreography. While we can’t show the whole folk ballet Forest Song that we are working on right now, you will see snippets from the future show, performed for the first time tonight. We are also presenting our ideas for the future of Ukrainian clothing through a fashion show.
Kathak: From Tradition to Future
Debarati is a Canadian dance teacher born in India, who brings with her more than 25 years of teaching experience and the joy of having taught more than 700 students from around the world. She teaches Kathak, a beautiful Indian Classical dance, along with Semi Classical, Creative, Folk and Fusion in Dance with Grace and Beauty (DGB). On weekdays she serves the community as a dedicated Registered Nurse, and on weekends she follows her passion for dance.
Stutimukhor Hendrieta Gomes is a talented student of DGB who showed her immense interest to learn Kathak.
Urvi Gala is another stunning student of DGB, energetic and spontaneous. She is a mom of two beautiful girls and a successful corporate worker.
About The Performance:
The time carries us towards the future but we don’t know what is waiting for us. Time changes everything - culture, dances, music and we adjust ourselves to the imminent change.
Our dance presentation “Future” shows how Kathak a hundreds of years old Indian classical dance style evolved from strict religious based dance form to a free flowing expression of passion to any music in the world.
We will perform a pure classical kathak dance and trace the path of the evolution through the dance steps and end with fusion style kathak to the tune of Ed Sheeran.
Circle of 5th Breaking Crew @ The Spot Arts Community
Circle of Fifths Breaking Crew features a family of five talented dancers ages 5-15 from The Spot Arts Community. Bboy Ash1 is two time Canadian Youth Braking National Champion and shines with energy and talent alongside Bgirl Amaze, Bboy Esick , Bboy JJ, and Bboy ZayZay . Together, they represent excellence, community, culture, and leadership through breaking. Learn more at The Spot Arts Community.
About The Performance:
Get ready to witness the future of breaking. Circle of Fifths Breaking Crew features five incredible young dancers, ages 5 to 15, representing the next generation of talent from The Spot Arts Community. In this high-energy 15-minute performance, audiences will experience the excitement of breaking through dynamic toprock, lightning-fast footwork, gravity-defying freezes, and explosive power moves.
More than just a dance performance, this showcase celebrates youth, creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Each dancer brings their own unique style and personality to the floor while demonstrating the skill, dedication, and athleticism that make breaking one of the world's most exciting art forms. With nonstop action, crowd engagement, and jaw-dropping moments, these young performers prove that youth are the future of breaking. Be prepared to cheer, be amazed, and leave wondering, "What did I just see?"
Dancepiration Dance Studio
Family Friendly Salsa Dance Workshop
About The Performance:
Laura Patricia Díaz is the owner and founder of Dancepiration Dance Studio in Saskatoon, where movement, music, and community come together. Originally from Colombia, Laura brings her deep love of Latino rhythms, dance education, and inclusive fitness to every class she teaches. Her passion is helping people feel confident, connected, and inspired through movement.
Dancepiration Dance Studio has grown into a welcoming space for dancers and fitness lovers of all ages. From Cardio Salsa to Pound Fitness, the studio blends technique, joy, and creativity in every session. Laura is dedicated to creating classes that feel supportive, energizing, and accessible — a place where everyone can show up exactly as they are and leave feeling stronger.
With a commitment to professionalism, respect, and community engagement, Laura continues to expand Dancepiration’s presence through outdoor events, free classes by the river, and collaborations that bring people together. Her mission is simple: to inspire movement, connection, and confidence, one class at a time.
