International Dance Day 2025

Calling All Dance Enthusiasts!

Mark your calendars! GMB Dance is excited to invite you to International Dance Day on Saturday, April 26, at the Hants Border Hall. This is a day to come together as a community, celebrate the joy of movement, and share our love of dance together!

What's Happening?

  • Workshops | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
    Open to all ages and experience levels! Join us for a full day of dance workshops—try something new, deepen your technique, and have fun moving together.

  • Performance Showcase | 3:00 PM–4:00 PM
    Enjoy an inspiring lineup of performances on our Community Stage where local dancers of all styles and backgrounds will share their love of movement. Want to perform? Sign up now!

  • All-Ages Dance Party | 5:00 PM–6:30 PM
    Wrap up the day with a feel-good dance party! Great music, welcoming vibes, and space for everyone to let loose and celebrate

Doors open at 9:30 am

Proudly hosted by the GMB Dance Company in partnership with Nova Scotia Talent Trust and the Hants Border Hall.

Pay-What-You-Can Admission

Suggested amounts: Kids $5–$10 | Adults (19+) $10–$20

Register your spot(s) and make payment here! OR pay at the door!

We are so excited to welcome Kenney Fitzpatrick from Dance Nova Scotia to help celebrate our big day!

Kenney Fitzpatrick

Kenney Fitzpatrick is a dynamic leader and advocate for the arts, currently serving as the Executive Director of Dance Nova Scotia. In this role, he champions inclusive and accessible dance programming across the province, including the annual Nova Scotia Dance Week and International Dance Day celebrations. Under his leadership, initiatives like the "Dare to Dance" school challenge have encouraged communities to embrace the joy and benefits of movement dancens.ca.​

Beyond his work with Dance Nova Scotia, Kenney is the founder of The Q LGBTQ Creative Network, a platform dedicated to amplifying queer voices in the arts. He also serves as President of the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia and is an on-air host and board member at CIOE 97.5 FM Community Radio LinkedIn.​

Kenney's commitment to community engagement and cultural advocacy makes him an invaluable contributor to International Dance Day and the broader arts landscape in Nova Scotia.​

Workshop Presenters

Alexa Ewert | Musical Theatre | 10:00 am

I’m a multidisciplinary artist living between the East and West coasts, with roots in Gaspereau, Nova Scotia (Mi’kma’ki). I studied Musical Theatre and Performing Arts at Capilano University in North Vancouver and have worked as an actor, dancer, choreographer, teacher, and touring performer.

Since returning home in 2022, I’ve been expanding my practice to include aerial arts, training on cerceau with Breaking Circus in Halifax. I’m passionate about creative exploration—in and out of the studio.

Kathleen Higgins | Highland Dance | 11:00 am

I’ve been dancing for over 20 years, starting with Irish dance at Halifax Dance before adding Highland under Ruth Thurston to strengthen my technique. I actively compete at the Novice and Prizewinner levels in Irish and have performed across Canada, Cuba, Scotland, and Northern Ireland—including a 2018 performance for Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2009, I became a certified Highland dance teacher through the Scottish Dance Teacher’s Alliance and founded Higgins School of Highland Dance in Dartmouth. I’m passionate about passing on these traditions and continuing to grow as both a dancer and educator.

Jen Cole | Jazz | 12:00 pm

I’ve been dancing since childhood and have trained in multiple styles, with early roots in Cambridge, Ontario under the guidance of Ms. Dianne Long. I’ve performed internationally with The Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble and received scholarships and awards during my time at York University and DanceTheatre David Earle.

With GMB Dance, I’m working to build a space where curious, open-hearted, and courageous people can explore dance as art and performance. I care deeply about supporting dancers at all stages of their journey, and helping educators find clarity, confidence, and joy in their teaching practice.

Sydney Ewert | Improvisation | 1:00 pm

I’m a contemporary dance artist and educator from Wolfville, Nova Scotia. After recently graduating from the BFA Dance program at York University, I’m excited to be back home and reconnecting with the local dance community.

Throughout my studies, I had the opportunity to perform in Canada, Portugal, and Iceland. I’m especially passionate about using dance as a tool for social inclusion, and I’ve loved sharing this work with at-risk youth across Canada and beyond.

Cia Crawford-Malcolm | Performance Psychology | 2:00 pm (virtual)

Beginning my career in Philadelphia, I have been a Clinical Psychologist for over 25 years.

I have practiced in a variety of settings but my passion and specialty is Anxiety and Performance.I have worked with athletes and teams in a range of sports including hockey, soccer, gymnastics, figure skating, dance and golf.

“Everyday is a new opportunity to learn and grow”

Thank You!

We’re so grateful to our incredible supporters—thank you for helping make this celebration possible.

THANK YOU TO:

  • Alexa Ewart

  • Dance Nova Scotia

  • Dustin Vanni

  • Kathleen Higgins

  • Matthew R. Balsor Income Tax

  • Nova Scotia Talent Trust

  • Red Cedar Psychology

  • Sydney Ewart

  • The Hants Border Hall

  • The Wooden Family

As a registered non-profit, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust is accepting donations on our behalf for this special GMB event.

If you’d like to contribute, you can donate directly through CanadaHelps.org — just select “International Dance Day Event” from the drop-down menu (#2). All donations are eligible for a tax receipt.

Have questions or want to get involved another way?
Email us at: 
support@gmbdancer.com

About Nova Scotia Talent Trust:
Since 1944, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust has awarded over $2.8 million in scholarships and special awards to more than 1,500 emerging artists from across Nova Scotia who are studying dance, theatre, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. For more, visit nstalenttrust.ns.org