Surrendered Spirits

Surrendered Spirits is an introspective and shared excavation into the way we explore and reflect on experiences of childhood, reclaiming of self, and the relationship to the parallel experience of moving through grief and joy. Incorporating memory and spirit into movement, music, and voice the piece uses the political lens of Queer Femme, Black and Brown bodies.

“Imagine a world where we heal inter-generational wounds through collective care, value ourselves and hold unconditional space for queer womxn of colour. A place where we can explore the truths behind the childhood stories that have influenced our perception of the world. Surrendered Spirits is this desired world brought to life through physical, emotional and spiritual virtuosity, all through soulful melodies and haunting rhythms.”

“I have been following Nickeshia and Irma’s careers for years. From the many dance and theatre ensembles they have worked together in, to their individual solo pieces, each of these artists always bring power and intention to their work. They dig deeply into their cultural roots to create work that is transformative, innovative, and deeply moving. I’m thrilled they are teaming to create this piece that explores many things, including their friendship.” – Beatriz Pizano

September 29, 2023 at 7:30 PM

About the artist

Nickeshia Garrick is a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and has performed on this land for over 25 years. They are unapologetically a Black, Queer Artist, who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Nickeshia received their dance training at the Carousel Dance Centre (Kitchener), the NYIDE (New York Institution of Dance and Education), the National Ballet School of Canada (Tkaronto), Toronto Dance Theatre (Tkaronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver).

Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore, winning and multi-nominated artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University and is a Co-Founder of the CinnaMoon Collective, which is currently working on their premiere piece, Surrendered Spirits. 

Irma Villafuerte is a Tkaronto-based dance artist, educator, choreographer and first-generation daughter of refugees from Nahuat Territory Kuskatan, post-colonial El Salvador. Irma is the Program Director of Native Earth’s Animikiig Creators Lab, a Toronto Arts Foundation 2021 Emerging Artist Finalist, and a co-founder of CinnaMoon Collective. She’s been part of works by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Jaberi Dance Theatre, Kaeja d’Dance, Victoria Mata, Aria Evans, Alejandro Ronceria, Diana Lopez and Michael Caldwell. Since 2017, she has led a journey nurturing her choreographic development through residencies with Dance Makers, TDT’s Emerging Voices, Kaeja D’dance KAIR, and Aluna Theatre; currently developing two important works Xilopango and Siwat Piedra. www.irmavillafuerte.com