Bloom Turns 9: A Look at York’s DSA Dance Showcase

There are not a lot of chances to perform in York University's BFA Dance Program. That’s why Bloom, a student-run production by the Dance Students Association of York University's Dance Department, is such an important space. Now in its ninth year, Bloom showcases new choreography by emerging artists from the York dance community. It’s entirely student-led and built from the ground up, offering a platform for students eager to experiment and a valuable learning opportunity across the board.

This year’s edition, led by Artistic Directors Grace Sokolow and Jules Vance, featured seven works by eight choreographers: Mackenzie Blair, Elenitsa Tatsis-Stewart and Charlize Greaves, Kemora Manning, Grace Kuster, Alyssa Levac, Elizabeth South, and Victoria Sharp. All of the works loosely circled a theme of resistance—a pushback against fatalism and the idea that our paths are predetermined. Though I won’t touch on every piece from the night, here are a few that stayed with me:

Opening the show was one of my favourite works: The Party’s Over, choreographed by Mackenzie Blair. Set to tracks by Donna Summer, Manu Dibango, and Dan Hartman, the piece captures the vibe of a soulful disco night slowly unraveling into something heavier. The stage is filled with dancers in ’70s-inspired costuming against bright colourful backdrops. Blair’s choreography opens with a feel-good, hands-up release—relaxed, joyful, full of relief—before pulling the energy into a more grounded tone. It is a smart shift, offering something playful but also rooted in the cultural history of disco and the queer community.

Another standout is Sunbird choreographed by Kemora Manning, which opens with Nina Simone’s haunting version of “Strange Fruit.” The piece is, in Manning’s words, “in remembrance of all the martyrs who have been brutally murdered at the hand of settler colonial violence.” A large cast moves around two central soloists, Abigail Dunbar and Sonya Singh, who danced not only with great technique but a lot of tension and emotional weight. The surrounding ensemble created space for their presence to land. One of the work’s strengths was its focus on facial expressions, faces held in tension and intention, carrying as much meaning as the movement itself.

But the piece that stayed with me the most is a contemporary ballet work, Harder, Higher, From the Heart, choreographed by Grace Kuster. It opens with the steady sound of a heartbeat that gradually shifts into a pulsing techno rhythm. Ballet vocabulary appeared throughout, but some with subtle shifts like jumps performed with flexed feet or hands that broke the classical lines, grounding the movement. In contrast, slower partner sections feature one dancer tracing their hand across another’s body for more quiet, intimate moments placed between the more technical phrases. Kuster’s piece is a thoughtful work that I would love to see again!

Really, the best part of student showcases is the sheer passion that shines through. The show ran smoothly, and Artistic Directors Grace Sokolow and Jules Vance deserve credit for pulling it all together. Congratulations to all the Yorkies involved!

Bloom is run entirely on donations and fundraising. If you’re able, I highly recommend contributing. It’s a rare and meaningful opportunity for young artists to test ideas, share work, and build confidence. The GoFundMe campaign can be found here: https://gofund.me/621f6a18

Bloom, presented by the Dance Students Association of York University played on May 2nd and 3rd, 2025 at the Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester Street Toronto, ON M4X 1B2). Catch them next year by following their instagram: @Bloom.dsa

GoFundMe: Link

Written by Deanne Kearney | DeanneKearney.com @deannekearney