in7inyaxa7en

at VanDusen Botanical Garden

September 27, 2026 | 1pm & 3pm 

VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St, Vancouver)

The performance is included with the price of garden admission or membership.*

Created and performed by

Aeriosa Dance Society & Spakwus Slulem Eagle Song Dancers 

Presented in partnership with VanDusen Botanical Garden

Join us for in7inyaxa7en at VanDusen Botanical Garden, a site-specific collaboration by Aeriosa and Spakwus Slulem Eagle Song Dancers. in7inyaxa7en (the Squamish name for the supernatural being also called ‘Thunderbird’ in English) is an intercultural presentation that brings traditional Squamish singers, dancers and drummers and Aeriosa vertical dancers together in a ceremonial performance guided by Squamish Sea Going Canoe Family Chiax (canoe landing protocol).  

in7inyaxa7en has been adapted seven times for different Vancouver locations, changing and shifting each time in response to the land. We are excited to bring this powerful work to the trees at VanDusen Botanical Garden, including a selection of traditional Squamish songs and dances by the Spakwus Slulem dancers and artistic director Bob S7aplek Baker, vertical dance work by the Aeriosa dancers, and the ‘Gathering of Eagles’ social dance. 

This special presentation of in7inyaxa7en coincides with National Forest Week.

Image: Ben Z Cooper

Join us! 

The site-specific work will be performed twice, at 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, September 27, 2026 by the top of the Great Lawn. Audience members are welcome and encouraged to bring low lawn chairs or a blanket for viewing the show.

In addition, we will be rehearsing in the garden from September 22 – 26, 2026. Keep an eye out, say hi, and come see what we’re preparing in the lead up to the performances! 

Image: Ben Z Cooper

About Spakwus Slulem Eagle Song Dancers 

Spakwus Slulem, (translated,”Eagle Song Dancers), are members of the Squamish Nation. Geographically located in what is called the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our traditional territory being the Howe Sound, Vancouver to Whistler area. The Squamish have lived and utilized this area for over 10,000 years, having history traced back to the Great Flood, and an Ice Age.

We are a Coastal people, people of the cedar longhouses, of the great sea-going canoes, the racing war canoes, People of the Salmon. Our colourful history speaks of things of legend, of deeds of certain members of the Smylaith Tribe (Sasquatch), legends of the Animal Kingdom(i.e., The Raven, Seagull and Sun), which brings out Teachings of our Squamish People, the History of Takaya, the Wolf Clan, one of our Squamish Family’s History.

Spakwus Slulem presentations brings out “Chiax”, the protocol and laws of our canoe culture, for our Longhouses. Some of our Elders today still have memories of early years, travelling across the waters in great canoes to visit Family in distant land , and exercising our Chiax. Spakwus Slulem presents a glimpse into this culture through singing/drumming and dance, and audience participation.

https://eaglesongdancers.org

Access 

The performance is included with garden admission or membership on Sunday, September 27. Book online in advance to save on admission at vandusengarden.ca!

*VanDusen Botanical Garden offers free admission to all self-identifying Indigenous Peoples. This offer is available in-person at the admission desk, no pre-booking required.

Learn more about accessibility, parking and more at vandusengarden.ca 

Plan a full day at the Garden! In addition to the Aeriosa performance, VanDusen’s Harvest Days and the Artists for Conservation Festival are both included with admission or membership on Sunday, September 27.

Tree Dance Solos, Duets and Community Showcase

May 29, 2026, 6pm | FREE

ʼnaʼnaquuʔa / North Chesterman Beach at Lynn Rd & Osprey Lane

Inspired by the movement and characteristics of the animals we share this place with, choreographer Julia Taffe invites performers to dance with the tall Sitka Spruce trees at ʼnaʼnaquuʔa.

Following the show, there will be a Q & A with the choreographer and performers.

Interested in performing with Aeriosa? Register for one of Aeriosa’s Tofino Tree Dance Workshops on May 23rd or 24th. All workshops participants are welcome to join the company in the following days for rehearsal and the performance on May 29th. Register for a workshop here.

Image: Aeriosa Dance Society

New Artists and Approaches in Vertical Dance | Volume II

Open Studio Sharing

August 23, 2025, 2pm

The Annex, 823 Seymour St, Vancouver

TICKETS

Join Aeriosa for the next installment of this dynamic collaborative series investigating and sharing new methodologies in Vertical Dance, in partnership with guest artists from Urban Jazz Dance Company led by Mx. Antoine Hunter (Oakland, CA) & Deaf Theatre Artist Landon Krentz (Calgary).

Followed by an Artist Talkback.

Image: Photo by Colin Zacharias.  

In collaboration with

Photo of Urban Jazz Dance Company by Matt Haber