May 3. 12

As summer approaches the dance season draws to a close for many. Costumes are hemmed, sequins are fastened, shoes are polished, and red lipstick is gone from every store’s shelves. Some dancers will take the next three months to travel or relax. Some will work as performers, or  take any other job they can find in order to pay for next year’s classes. Some will participate in competitions, workshops, or summer camps. For some- they will receive some much loved dance shoes from you!

Thank you to all who have donated and to all who will donate after their year end recitals. We are still collecting throughout the summer, and will be sending a shipment of shoes to Dance Base (see below “shoes to a new home”) in August. Many of the studio’s will be closed throughout the summer, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to donate your shoes! If you have any dance shoes that you would like to donate after your recital please use the “contact” page to contact me (Caleigh). Thank you for your support and keep checking in to see any news on shoes, or events. Happy dancing! ~HIH.

***Heels In Harmony recently organized a Flashmob in downtown Victoria to celebrate International Dance Day! It was amazing! Thank you to all who helped and participated. The story and video will be posted shortly!

April 23. 12

This past weekend the first Creatively United for the Planet Festival took place in sunny Victoria. It was a great weekend full of awesome food, music , and people. The festival raised funds for progressive environmental-based charities and had a goal to initiate action for a positive change. This whole endeavour was created by Frances Litman and supported by her many wonderful volunteers. 

 I was grateful to share a booth with yoUnlimited (women’s events and conferences; focused on mind, body, and spirit) and the Dirty Wall Project (a not-for-profit organization that is currently doing amazing work in Mumbai, India). It was so great to see so many people celebrating Earth Week and supporting the many charities, not-for-profits, and organizations.  Thank you to all who attended and to those who made it possible. I look forward to next year’s festival!

For more information on yoUnlimited visit http://younlimited.com/

For more information on Dirty Wall Project visit http://dirtywallproject.com/

Photos by: Andrew Chambers: andrewchambers3@gmail.com

Flashmob Details!

Updated: April 22.12 –Location of mob!
Please click on the link above “flashmob details” to view the updated flashmob poster. We will now have the practice and the flashmob on the same day! We appreciate the time you are taking out of your day to support HIH, and this will help to make it easier for those who need to drive into Victoria. Thank you for your support and can’t wait to see you there!

You can look up all the events happening in Canada including our flashmob on: http://www.destinationdancedanse.ca/

March 20. 12

Heels In Harmony is excited to share our latest update from around the globe! We are pleased to be sending a shipment of shoes to Dance Base in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dance Base has over 2,500 people per week experiencing the physical and emotional benefits of dance through their activities and initiatives.
Dance Base is the National Centre for Dance in Scotland, and has three main pillars: 1. A public class program that offers over 100 classes in over 40 different styles throughout the year 2. A professional support program 3. A fully inclusive outreach program

“Dance makes you happier, healthier and more confident. The Outreach team take dance to people who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to experience the benefits of this art form.” (Dance Base)

We are honoured to send shoes to their Outreach program called “Great Feats- dance to fit all shoe sizes”. This program specifically works with at risk and excluded young people (ranging from age 15-25), offering them the chance to experience dance at Dance Base and at school. This program focuses on “promoting emotional and social health and well-being through positive relationships and behaviours” (Dance Base).

“Dance Base means the world to me [it is] a place where I can be myself and don’t have to try and impress someone. Dance Base is a great place to get opportunities like: dance in front of people, gets you into college courses, and builds up confidence.” -Great Feats dancer, Brian

Dance Base receives their financial support from The Scottish Arts Council and the City of Edinburgh Council. They have many charitable trusts and foundations that contribute to supporting their activities, as well as individual donors. We are proud to add our support through our shoe donation.  http://www.dancebase.co.uk/outreach/

Click Dance Base for more information

Feb.8.12

Over the last ten days there have been workshops going on all over Victoria. Dance Days was put on by Dance Victoria and Y.A.M. magazine. It was a great experience for people in the dance world to explore their creativity in a new form or for those who are not used to dance, to try something new. Overall it was a really fun, challenging and inspiring ten days! I was excited when I saw that Boston Dance Collective was going to put on an advanced workshop. I had the pleasure of attending, learning and sweating in this great class taught by Michael Boston. At the end of the class, as I attempted to walk my jello legs out of the door and into the crisp air, I was given a bag of shoes. I am so grateful for all of these wonderful shoes which are in great condition! I am excited for whatever feet may put these shoes on next. It is so wonderful to have the support that was shown and I want to thank the dancers, parents, and teachers for helping Heels In Harmony collect more shoes. Thank you very much! I hope you will get a chance to try a class at this studio, and sweat the way I did! I left feeling inspired and grateful. Thank you.

www. bostondanceco. com

Boston Dance Co. Website

And again thank you to the other dancers and studios (Karen Clark Dance Studio, Allegro Performing Arts Center and Ellswear) that have donated their shoes as well.

Dec. 20.11

Happy Holidays! An update on our latest project: We are currently still collecting used dance shoes for our 2012 project. We have collected over 70 pairs of shoes, and have had lots of interest in helping out with the project. Thank you to all who support and help Heels In Harmony. Special thank you to Canadian Tire Broadmead for the donated bins, Allegro Performing Arts Centre, Karen Clark Dance Studio, and Ellswear for collecting shoes, and everyone who has put up posters and spread the word. Thank you to all of the wonderful dancers on Vancouver Island who have donated their shoes! Wishing you a happy, safe and healthy holiday. H.I.H.
To read any news, share ideas, or watch videos, check us out on Facebook!

Nov. 29.11

Lights are starting to appear, mittens are on, and everyone knows the holidays are just around the corner! While you are searching for those Christmas lights and light up Santa, why not grab that old bag of dance shoes! We collect all year round, and our three locations are still collecting for us, so if you have shoes you would like to donate, either drop them off at one of the Collection Locations or contact Caleigh. Make sure to check out our Facebook page and LIKE us : Heels In Harmony. On our page, we have lots of updates that let you know what’s happening with HIH, videos you can watch of creative arts and dance, and news about any visiting shows or workshops in the area. Thank you for your support and happy dancing!

Sept. 21.11

I went the other day to buy some new shoes. Not any shoes; TAP SHOES! I must admit that my shoes are quite tired but extremely comfortable. Shopping for the perfect tap shoe is sometimes quite hard however; I was pleasantly surprised! The new tap shoes they have at Ellswear are heavenly, comfortable, and beautiful! I also purchased some new “footUndeez” which I am also very pleased with. The staff at Ellswear are helpful and knowledgeable, and I will be back shortly to pick up my new tap shoes!

I am pleased to announce Ellswear has generously taken a collection bin! You can now donate your shoes to Heels In Harmony at Ellswear! So, if you live downtown and can’t make it to Allegro (Sidney) or Karen Clark (Royal Oak), you have another location option!
Thank you so much to Ellswear for their support. Now you can buy your new shoes and donate your old, all in one place!

Ellswear is located at : Suite 7-616 Hillside Ave, Victoria.

click to go to Ellswear on the web

Sept 9.11

A huge thank you to Kevin Parks of Peripheral Media for this lovely site. When I first realized that Heels In Harmony would have to join the age of the Internet I was terrified. I am not great with this piece of technology. Even to write this post takes me three times longer than anyone I know- including my Nana. My thoughts, ideas and vision were completely understood and embraced by Kevin. He helped me though all of the stress and struggles that come with a new web page and made it an easy transition for me to come from the Dino age to the Space age. He is a very talented emerging web designer with creativity, focus and passion. Thank you Kevin for all of your hard work!

Peripheral Media Online

A big thank you to Canadian Tire Broadmead for supplying Heels In Harmony with all the bins we need to collect our much needed shoes. Find out where you can drop off your shoes on our WHERE page.