By Arti Panday
All mothers were greeted with a red-carpet welcome at the fifth annual Dancing Damsels Mother’s Day Gala at the Oasis Convention Centre in Mississauga.
Centred around this year’s theme, Love Mom, the event featured a delicious spread followed by afternoon tea and sweets to celebrate all moms on their special day.
With live performances, a “Mom and Me” fashion show, cake cutting ceremony and a ramp walk, the event was filled with something for everyone. The photo contest also provided memorable moments for mothers and their children.
Highlight of the event was honorary guest Kala Master. The award-winning choreographer and reality dance show host collaborated with three performers from Chak de Canada dance studio and treated guests to a rhythmic dance medley.
The honoured guest also praised members of Dancing Damsels for hosting events to acknowledge and celebrate women in dance. The internationally-renowned artist, who recently opened a new fitness and dance studio, was later presented with a certificate of welcome and congratulations on behalf of Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie.
Aside from celebrating moms and providing exhilarating entertainment, the event also served as the launch of the 2018 Dancing Damsels Toronto International Dance Festival (TIDF). A ribbon cutting ceremony with Roosara Dance revealed the new logo for TIDF 2018.
Set to take place outdoors at Albert Campbell Square in Scarborough, the two-day festival is a multicultural celebration of dance. Open to all genres and styles of dance, the summer festival on July 8 and 9 will also offer workshops and dance seminars conducted by professional choreographers and instructors.
Dignitaries in attendance for the Mother’s Day event included MP for Mississauga-Lakeshore, Sven Spengemann. Founder and Managing Director for Dancing Damsels, Mary Ashok, accepted a certificate from the MP, honoring her continued efforts to promote cultural diversity and women empowerment in Canada.
Dancing Damsels is non-profit women’s organization dedicated to women empowerment. The group hosts four flagship events annually in celebration of women in all sectors including the performing arts, politics, and science.