The Beginning of Happiness is a 60-minute performance by FEMME Vocal Quartet and Good Women Dance Collective that explores and reflects upon the subject of gender-based domestic violence.
The world premiere of this new work by Edmonton Composer, Jane Berry, choreographed by GWDC, and performed by FEMME and GWDC features four musicians and four dancers working together to create a multidisciplinary experience, with live ASL interpretation provided by Nicole Sanders. While the composition draws on Berry’s experience with domestic violence, the work encourages performers to bring their own thoughts into the work so that their own personal experiences are included in the show. The Beginning of Happiness is presented in partnership with WIN House, an organization whose purpose is to give victims the hope and help they need to overcome domestic abuse.
Due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19, GWDC and FEMME made the decision to postpone these performances. We are looking to reschedule for sometime in Fall 2020.
Like many who work in the arts, our livelihoods rely on the income from both these performances and the rehearsals leading up to them. We have created a relief fund to support our artists and crew – who had been working extremely hard on this body of work – until they can get back into the studio. We are asking our community to help us raise $5,000 over the next month:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/GoodWomenDance/campaign/TBoH/
Donations will be used to help offset lost wages for artists and crew, pay for additional rehearsal hours to review our work after months away from each other, pay for rentals of studio space, cover funds lost to venue bookings, and cover the cost of updating marketing materials.
All donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. Your contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated.