The Dancers of Damelahamid’s Coastal First Nations Dance Festival took place at New Westminster’s Anvil Centre and/o UBC’s Museum of Anthropology.
2020 dates were from February 25th to March 1st.
ONLINE PERFORMANCES IN 2021
In 2021 the festival happens in a virtual format between March 12th and the 18th.
A highlight of this year’s festival is the world premiere of a new dance performed by the Dancers of Damelahamid in honour of the late Margaret Harris who founded the dance group behind the event. Other performers in 2021 include the Git Hayetsk Dancers, Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, Git Hoan Dancers, ‘Yisya̱’winux̱w Dancers, Spakwus Slolem, and David Robert Boxley (all of which have performed at the festival in previous years too).
Dancers of Damelahamid First Nations Dance Festival in New Westminster
The Dancers of Damelahamid First Nations Dance Festival happens in the early spring each year. 2021 marks its 14th season.
The festival is always a remarkable series of cultural performances. In typical years, in addition to afternoon shows, there are also special evening performances which usually sell out.
It’s a cultural experience that’s highly recommended and you won’t want to miss!
Festival Location
The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival used to happen at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) on the University of British Columbia‘s campus. In 2019, however, the festival took place at the Anvil Centre at 777 Columbia Street in New Westminster.
In 2020 the festival was again at the Anvil Centre, although with one day of performances for school groups that took place in the Haida House at the Museum of Anthropology. Except for on Tuesday, February 25th, 2020, all other events in 2020 happened at the venue in New Westminster.
In 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the festival is happening in a virtual format between March 12th and the 18th. Most years, with the live events, some performances are ticketed and others are free (or at least included with regular admission to the Museum of Anthropology). This year though, because it is all online, everything is free.
The Dance Festival
The annual Coastal First Nations Dance Festival showcases Canadian Indigenous artists from BC, Western Canada and the Yukon, as well as out-of-country groups from places like Alaska, Hawaii and further abroad.
Highlights of the season in previous years have included performances by the following artists:
- Boyd Benjamin – “The Flying Gwitch’in Fiddler” from the Yukon
- Git Hayetsk and Git Hoan – performers from Alaska
- Dancers of Damelahamid
Dance Festival Video
To give you an idea of what to expect, check out the following video. It’s a short clip of the Dancers of Damelahamid performing at the festival at the Museum of Anthropology a few years ago.
2020 Performance Schedule
In 2020 the Coastal First Nations Dance Festival ran from Tuesday, February 25th, to Sunday, March 1st. To give you an idea of what to expect in future years (when live performances can once again take place), see below for details about what happened in 2020.
On the Tuesday, there were daytime performances for local school groups at both the Museum of Anthropology and Anvil Centre. At just the Anvil Centre, for the general public, there were Signature Evening Performances on the Friday night, and Festival Stage events on the Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
School Group Performances
On the Tuesday at the Museum of Anthropology and on Wednesday and Thursday at Anvil Centre there were performances for school groups of children from kindergarten to grade 12.
Performances took place on the Tuesday at 10:30 am and again at 1 pm. On Wednesday they were at 10:30 am and on Thursday they were at 1 pm.
Performances for school groups included:
Tuesday (February 25th, 2020) (at the MOA)
- Chesha7 iy lha mens (Squamish)
- Tuakana and Teina Leadership Academy Group (Māori)
- Dancers of Damelahamid
Wednesday (February 26, 2020) (at the Anvil Centre)
- Ewk Hyaha Hozdii (Wet’suwet’en)
- Tuakana and Teina Leadership Academy Group (Māori)
- Dancers of Damelahamid
Thursday (February 27, 2020) (at the Anvil Centre)
- Ewk Hyaha Hozdii (Wet’suwet’en)
- Tuakana and Teina Leadership Academy Group (Māori)
- Dancers of Damelahamid
Signature Evening Performances
Signature Evening Performances took place on Friday, February 28th, 2020, at 7:30 pm with the doors opening at 7 o’clock.
Tickets for the Signature Evening Performances were $30 for adults and $25 for students, seniors and museum members.
Advanced tickets were available through Ticketsnw.ca, although service charges that way do usually apply.
(Note: Show times and other details are subject to change.)
Performances on the Friday evening in 2020 included the following:
- Spakwus Slolem (Squamish)
- Dancers of Damelahamid
- Tooma Laisa and Leanna Wilson (Inuit)
- Rainbow Creek (Haida)
Festival Stage Performances
Festival Stage shows took place starting at 1:00 pm with new performances every hour on the Saturday and Sunday. On these days admission was “pay what you can”.
Saturday (February 29, 2020) Performances
At 1:00 pm:
- Tsatsu Stalquayu (Musqueam)
- Dakhká Khwáan (Inland Tlingit)
At 2:00 pm:
- Yisya’winuxw (Kwakwaka’wakw)
- Tuakana and Teina Leadership Academy Group (Māori)
At 3:00 pm:
- Git Hoan (Tsimshian)
Sunday (March 1, 2020) Performances
At 1:00 pm:
- Dakhká Khwáan (Inland Tlingit)
- Kwhlii Gibaykw (Nisga’a)
At 2:00 pm:
- Tooma Laisa and Leanna Wilson (Inuit)
- Git Hayetsk (Tsimshian/Nisga’a)
At 3:00 pm:
- Chinook Song Catchers (Squamish)
Tips and Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most out of your experience at the dance festival.
TIP #1: The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival is a popular event. If you go to a free show, arrive early to make sure you can get in. Also, for all shows, arrive early to find a good seat.
TIP #2: Book your seats to the ticketed evening shows well in advance as they almost always sell out.
TIP #3: Don’t forget your camera! The costumes and dancing are impressive! Note though that photography might not be permitted at the Signature Evening Performances. Also, if wanting to take photos of performers when not on stage, ask for permission.
Other Information
Click First Nations Dance Festival for more information on the event.
Click Museum of Anthropology for more details about the venue where the event used to take place in previous years.
For information on similar events, check out First Nations Culture in the Lower Mainland or Vancouver’s Festivals & Events Calendar.
Other Indigenous events taking place around February and/or March include the following:
- Hoobiyee – Nisga’a Nation New Year celebrations at the PNE Forum. Free admission.
- Talking Stick Festival – an Indigenous festival in Yaletown at the Roundhouse Community Centre.
