By Jessica Ruano MASC and Nancy Darisse LCRC
Isolation during this Covid-19 pandemic presents a serious challenge for seniors who are at higher risk for the virus and who may already be feeling cut off from their friends and neighbours. For seniors at 160 Charlotte Street in Lowertown, dancing on their balconies was one way to connect with the outside world.
Our city is blessed with the presence and dedication of artists who are employing their creative prowess to make a positive difference to those who may be feeling the effects of isolation. One of these is Suzan Richards, MASC artist and arts educator, owner of the Cultural Arts Studio, who teaches Afro-Caribbean dance to people of all ages.This past summer and fall, Suzan offered weekly bilingual dance classes to residents at 160 Charlotte with the support of the Lowertown Community Resource Centre, Ottawa West Community Support, and Ottawa Community Housing. MASC has an 11 year relationship with the Lowertown community and brings hundreds of workshops and performances to the neighbourhood every year, including through its Awesome Arts program.
Armed with a speaker system and boisterous energy, Suzan invited the senior residents of the building to dance with her (wearing masks, of course) on the lawn out front, or from their balconies. Dozens of residents came out every week to groove to her Afro-Caribbean tunes, full of laughter and good cheer. One of the residents noted that it was the first time she smiled since the beginning of the pandemic.
Residents of 160 Charlotte are multicultural and speak many different languages: Chinese, Kigali, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, etc. This was a wonderful example of how art unites residents beyond their cultural differences and inspires respect and knowledge of diversity. And in this case, art contributed to the health of these seniors. Through the art of dance, residents were able to join together in a climate of trust and fun.
Watch the video to experience the joy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jw9evyCICA
While the weekly classes are now at an end, the creative team at MASC has many ideas in the works for the coming months. So stay tuned, Lowertown: your local artists have much more in store for you!