In Pictures: First ever Shiamak’s Victory Ball takes place in Canada

The first ever Victory Ball took place earlier this month at the Royal King Palace in Canada. Besides raising funds to expand the Victory dance as therapy and dance for good programs for people of all abilities across the Lower Mainland, the evening was packed with awe-inspiring performances that moved the audience to tears.

Hosted by Shiamak’s Victory Arts Foundation, the ballroom was filled with over 500 guests, performers, volunteers, donors and some prominent members of the community. The evening began with a high energy ‘swag’ welcome by the Victory dancers. It was followed by a performance by the Victory dancers from Down Syndrome Research Foundation and a Para Taekwondo demonstration by Sirota’s Alchymy Martial Arts Group.

However, the highlight of the evening was a breathtaking fashion segment showcasing the RaasLeela collection by renowned Vancouver-based duo Parvesh Jai. The stunning outfits were modeled by Vancouver’s top models, but the showstoppers were the Victory dancers themselves as they walked onto stage with some of Vancouver’s prominent celebrities including immigration consultant Neera Agnihotri, Spice Radio’s RJ Gaurav Shah, fashion icon Kanika Sasan and Kerry Gibson – President of EcoCentury Technologies. Emotions were high as an overwhelmed designer Jai Singh escorted the final showstopper, VICTORY Dancer Jessica Makowsky, down the runway. The audience was moved to tears and rose to give them another standing ovation.

In his video message, founder and artistic director Shiamak Davar said, “I am thrilled that we are hosting our first ever VICTORY Ball in Vancouver to celebrate inclusion and the spirit of triumph. It is heartwarming to see the impact and the joy that dance has brought to our students and their families. I am grateful for all the love and support my team and I have received.”

The event was held on Friday 25th May 2018.

Photo Credit: Nirmal Shah, Studio 621 Films.