August 23, 2022The RCA Brings Engaging Arts Programs to Kelowna's Seniors

Arts programming is back in full swing at the Rotary Centre for the Arts providing needed opportunities for those in Kelowna 55+ to engage in the arts, meet other like-minded adults, or volunteer. Located in the heart of the Cultural District in downtown Kelowna, the RCA is the perfect hub for arts programming for Kelowna’s growing active senior population. We are thrilled to be able to provide free, accessible programs to our senior community – the Creative Aging Festival, Dance & Move and Draw Your Art Out.

The RCA welcomed back the Creative Aging Festival – a week of free activities that provided artistic experiences to the 55+ community and anyone else that wanted to join in. From dancing to painting, there was something for everyone. The festival was generously supported by Heritage Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program aimed at making a difference in the lives of seniors within the community by bringing creative, distinctive, and inspiring experiences to those in Kelowna.

We were honoured to host Claudia Moore of MOonhORsE Dance Theatre in Toronto, along with local professional dancers Annick LeQuellec, Cori Derickson, and Sean Ling-Allen for ApHeart – a movement meditation and improvisation-based dance performance. Bringing contemporary performances such as this one to the streets of Kelowna is a unique opportunity and one that the RCA was excited to be a part of. Additionally, key figures in the Kelowna dance scene such as Tanya Vadurova of Mission Dance, Patti Tennessy, Leona Lacoff, and Tascheleia Marangonion taught free dance classes ranging from ballet to tango. Special installments of School of Blues and our music relaxation program Whole Rest – Music and Relaxation, as well as the first of our Open Mic Night, kept the community engaged and entertained all week long.

MOonhORsE Dance in Waterfront Park

This Festival saw the beginnings of two ongoing programs; Dance & Move and Draw Your Art Out (previously known as HeArtFit). One an open dance session and the other an open art session. Exercise, both mental and physical, is critical to maintaining health at any age. Draw Your Art Out provides a casual, supportive environment for people to gather safely, make art, and express themselves. Dance & Move aims to bring free dance and self-expression to the lives of our seniors, or anyone who just wants to boogie

Draw Your Art Out happens every Monday at 9:30 am in our Harmony Honda Paint Studio. Stop by this open studio to work on a project, start something new, or just get inspired! Dance & Move will be returning on September 7th at 1 pm, and will run every Wednesday in our Salloum Rehearsal Hall. Our facilitators, Manny, Marissa, and Shawn are excited to lead this free dance experience.


The RCA Brings Engaging Arts Programs to Kelowna's Seniors