Local Dancer Shows Her Moves on “So You Think You Can Dance”

🌊 World Book Launch – Hamilton We had the opportunity to attend the World Book Launch of award-winning photographer, Mark Zelinski, and his new book: Niagara Escarpment: Land Between Waters at Tourism Hamilton. An evening where the conversation continued — through presentations, Indigenous perspectives, and community dialogue. 🪶 Listening to the Land A rare gathering… where Indigenous leaders, stewardship organizations, and researchers were all in the same room. Not just presenting — but listening, learning, and sharing responsibility. A powerful reminder of the connection between land and water — and the shared responsibility we all hold in protecting both. 🌿 Community Connections It was also wonderful to see members of our danceScape community there — including Marietta & Ron, who are sponsors of the book. Moments like this reflect what community is all about. ❤️ Supporting Community 👉 40% of book sales through danceScape support the danceScape Endowment Fund at the Burlington Community Foundation 📘 Link in comments below to purchase 🌊 Final Reflection Some stories are captured. Others are carried.

🌟 Mindful Movement at Florence Meares Public School! 💃👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Florence Meares is a welcoming, inclusive JK–8 school in Burlington that supports all children — including those with autism and special needs — through kindness, connection, and community. It was so special to meet Errol Lee of Caring Concerts and his daughter Annika, who lit up the room with their inspiring singing, hip hop, and break dancing keynote. danceScape then led a joyful mindful movement session with Latin & Ballroom Dance vibes, danceFLOW Qigong/TaiChi breathing to music, and beautiful parent-child moments. As part of the danceScape Endowment Fund at the Burlington Community Foundation, we love supporting events like this that bring families together through movement and wellness. A big thank you to Ryan and the team, and to Dr. Dawn Lazerte, Principal, for this wonderful inaugural event. ❤️ These are the moments that make it all worthwhile. danceScape™ — Embracing the Adventure since 2000 #CommunityWellness #DanceForFamilies #danceScape #FamilyConnection

🌟 International Dance Day 2026 at Good Shepherd SAM Central! 💃🕺 We had the BEST time leading a lively seated dance class this morning! The room was bursting with smiles, laughter, energy, and so much heart. These moments are pure magic! ✨ About Good Shepherd SAM Central Good Shepherd Centres is a compassionate organization in downtown Hamilton. SAM Central is their vibrant Adult Day Program offering social, recreational, and wellness activities for older adults and people living with disabilities. A huge thank you to Erin and the amazing team for the warm welcome — you made International Dance Day unforgettable! ❤️ Giving back: The full honorarium from today’s session was donated to the danceScape Endowment Fund at the Burlington Community Foundation. Dance really is for everyone — no matter your age or mobility! Who else believes movement brings joy? 💭 Drop a ❤️ if this made you smile, and tag a friend who needs to see this! 👇 Swipe for happy moments 👉 danceScape™ — Embrace the Adventure

A gentle invitation… Here’s a simple taste of the danceFLOW Qigong/TaiChi we may do together under the cherry blossoms. Slow, mindful steps. Soft breathing. Gentle movement. No experience needed. No right or wrong way. Just presence… honouring the moment… and remembering loved ones in the most peaceful way. This is the spirit of the Sakura Project. 🌸 Sakura Project Saturday, May 2 · 10:30–11:15 AM Spencer Smith Park — cherry trees by the lake (rain → gazebo) Come flow with us if you feel inspired. Or simply sit and soak in the blossoms. Full details + RSVP in first comment 👇 Comment 🌸 if this feels peaceful to you. Tag someone you’d like to share this moment with. 💃🕺

The blossoms are just beginning to open. By Saturday they will reach their peak… and then they will fall. I walked under these cherry trees and wrote my father’s name on the water ink board. It appeared beautifully… held for a moment… then slowly dissolved. He used to light up telling us his magic stories — performing for the King of Malaysia, the general who invited him. Over time those stories grew shorter… until they almost disappeared. That fear of forgetting — and of being forgotten — is so deep. But when we share the stories, we bring them back. Even if only for a moment. This is why the Sakura Project exists. 🌸 Sakura Project Saturday, May 2 · 10:30–11:15 AM Spencer Smith Park — cherry trees by the lake (rain → gazebo) A simple, quiet gathering to remember loved ones and soak in the moment. No pressure. Just presence. Gentle danceFLOW walk if you feel inspired. Full details + RSVP in first comment 👇 Comment 🌸 if this touches your heart. Tag someone you want to remember with you 💛 The blossoms won’t wait — and neither should the stories we love.

A gentle taste of what we may do together… Simple danceFLOW Rhythm Walk under the cherry blossoms. Breathing. Moving slowly. Honouring. Remembering. Some may share stories of loved ones who have passed. Others may simply soak in the moment. No experience needed. No pressure. Just presence. 🌸 Sakura Project Saturday, May 2 · 10:30–11:15 AM Spencer Smith Park (cherry trees by the lake | rain → gazebo) Come walk with us if you feel inspired 💛 💃🕺

Dancing… then real life. A beautiful conversation with @deborahjaynereillysmith — Ballroom dancer, PSW, and uterine cancer survivor. She shares what it’s really like supporting families through dementia… and then facing her own diagnosis. Her message: presence, empathy, and movement matter most — especially when everything changes. 🌸 Full conversation linked below Tag someone who needs this reminder 💛💃🕺

The blossoms are just beginning to open. By Saturday they will be at their peak… and then they will fall. My father, my sister and I planned to walk to the lakeside and then under these cherry trees. We talked about it while he was in long-term care. We said "next spring." There was no next spring. If you’ve ever lost someone. If you’ve ever felt that ache — the quiet fear that time is slipping away with someone you love — this is for you. 🌸 The Sakura Project Saturday, May 2 · 10:30–11:15 AM Spencer Smith Park — cherry trees by the lake (rain → gazebo) A simple, quiet gathering. To danceFLOW qigong/taichi if you want. No pressure. Just presence. Comment 🌸 if this stirs something deep in you. RSVP → Tag or share with someone you don’t want to miss.

A Uterine Cancer Survivor’s Journey — the moments that stay with you 💫 We recently sat down with @deborahjaynereillysmith. What stayed with us wasn’t just the diagnosis… but what came after. The moment she told her children. Letting go of “why me”… and hearing instead: “Mom… it’s random.” And from there… A shift. Toward family. Toward presence. Toward the moments we choose to create. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t just physical. It’s in connection. In movement. In simply taking the next step. This is part of what we’re building through the danceScape Endowment Fund with the Burlington Community Foundation — supporting access to movement, connection, and community for those navigating life’s transitions. And through the Sakura Project 🌸 — a space to gather, reflect, and share meaningful moments while they are here. 🎥 Full story + interview 👉 Link in bio 🌸 Sakura Gathering 🗓 Saturday, May 2 🕥 10:30 – 11:15 AM 📍 Cherry Trees at Spencer Smith Park ☔ If rain: meet at the Gazebo Sometimes strength doesn’t look loud… sometimes it looks like showing up ❤️ #UterineCancerSurvivor #HealingJourney #SakuraProject #BurlingtonOntario #EndowmentFund