{"id":114701,"date":"2025-05-29T15:39:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T19:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=114701"},"modified":"2025-05-29T15:39:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T19:39:17","slug":"interview-join-canadas-national-ballet-school-block-party-may-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/05\/29\/interview-join-canadas-national-ballet-school-block-party-may-31\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Join Canada\u2019s National Ballet School For A Block Party May 31"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_114703\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-114703\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-114703\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-71.jpg\" alt=\"Canada\u2019s National Ballet School - Image from the NBS Block Party 2022 (Photo courtesy of the National Ballet School)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-71.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-71-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-71-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-71-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-114703\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Canada\u2019s National Ballet School &#8211; Image from the NBS Block Party 2022 (Photo courtesy of the National Ballet School)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On May 31, 2025, the National Ballet School will transform Jarvis Street into a celebration of dance and community \u2014 and anyone can come.<\/p>\n<p>There are several different ways you can join in on the action, from experiencing a performance to taking a class or workshop, and more. The variety, and all-inclusive theme, is the point.<\/p>\n<h2>NBS Block Party<\/h2>\n<p>It all takes place from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the National Ballet School\u2019s downtown campus at 400 Jarvis Street, and, weather permitting, along the block on the street.<\/p>\n<p>Among the offerings:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Drop-in introductory dance workshops for all ages in NBS\u2019 award-winning studios<\/li>\n<li>Behind-the-scenes ballet rehearsals featuring NBS students on the Anna McCowan-Johnson Stage at the Betty Oliphant Theatre<\/li>\n<li>Pop-Up Dance and Music Performances by Guest Artists and NBS Students<\/li>\n<li>All-day Creative Movement Space for Kids (6 and under)<\/li>\n<li>The Shoe Room Dancewear Sale, featuring Bloch dancewear<\/li>\n<li>Festival games, face painting, family-friendly activities, food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Workshops are drop-in and free, with no prior experience required. There will be 16 workshops with leading Toronto dance artists, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Afrofusion with Zahra Badua<\/li>\n<li>Queer Conscious Movement with Sid Ryan Eilers<\/li>\n<li>Hip Hop with Edz Gyamfi<\/li>\n<li>Powwow with Nichole Leveck<\/li>\n<li>Haitian Folk with Emilie Jabouin<\/li>\n<li>Classical Chinese with Tia Lu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It will be the first NBS Block Party for the School\u2019s new Artistic Director, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/01\/22\/interview-canadas-national-ballet-schools-artistic-director-margaret-tracey-talks-2025-auditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Margaret Tracey<\/a>, who spoke to LvT about the free event.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_114704\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-114704\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-114704\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/block-party-2022-11.jpg\" alt=\"Participants at the NBS Block Party 2024 (Photo courtesy of the National Ballet School)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/block-party-2022-11.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/block-party-2022-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/block-party-2022-11-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/block-party-2022-11-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-114704\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Participants at the NBS Block Party 2022 (Photo courtesy of the National Ballet School)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Margaret Tracey, Artistic Director of Canada\u2019s National Ballet School: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>It shouldn\u2019t really take a splashy special event to get people on their feet and dancing. The concept that dance is an integral part of what it means to be human lies at the root of the endeavour.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of our core beliefs here as dance educators is that dance has been around as long as human have existed,\u201d says Tracey. \u201cIt\u2019s a non-verbal form of communication that is embedded in our DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s Eurocentric culture that has tended to try and marginalize dance as an esoteric, non-essential activity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn our modern Western culture we have disconnected so much from the idea that dance can be as normal as walking,\u201d Margaret points out. \u201cIt is a vital part of what it means to live in our skins as humans.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Dance For Everybody<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThe genesis of this was, coming out of COVID, and really wanting to open up our doors to the community in the most celebratory manner,\u201d Tracey explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey want to ensure that everyone can see themselves reflected in the space of dance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That includes, literally, everyone from young children, who might take in a beginner\u2019s class, to seniors, in an environment that is both multicultural and intergenerational.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am beyond excited,\u201d Tracey says. \u201cThis annual celebration, it really reflects our commitment to making dance more accessible as well as more inclusive.\u201d She says they want to open the doors to all aspiring dancers, regardless of age or physical abilities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe idea is to inspire a love of ballet and dance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Along with lessons, there will be performances by the city\u2019s next generation of uber-talented young people to showcase the School\u2019s work.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_114705\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-114705\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-114705\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/BP24-Artists-3.jpg\" alt=\"Performers from the NBS Block Party 2024 (Photo courtesy of the National Ballet School)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/BP24-Artists-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/BP24-Artists-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/BP24-Artists-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/BP24-Artists-3-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-114705\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Performers from the NBS Block Party 2024 (Photo courtesy of the National Ballet School)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Join The Party: Register Online<\/h3>\n<p>Last year\u2019s NBS Block Party was a huge success, and they\u2019re looking to build on it this year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was 3,700 people attended,\u201d she reports. \u201cOur goal is to reach 4,000 this year. We\u2019re hoping the weather gods agree with us,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Margaret notes that, even if the clouds do open up, the National Ballet School has extensive indoor facilities where the fun can still take place.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019ll be something for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The event is family-friendly, free, and also a proud affiliate of Toronto Pride, incorporating elements like a queer conscious movement workshop, among others.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find more details, and register, [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbs-enb.ca\/new-now\/nbs-block-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? 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