About us…
Barangay Project Society is a grass roots non-profit organization that provides, highlights and nurtures Canadian dance artists and other artforms through Dance festivals and mentorship programs. Our purpose is to build interconnections, create bridges and long lasting relationships with all kinds of artists all over the world. We aim to advance an equitable society for all kinds of Artists through our continuous efforts by providing visibility, representation, job opportunities and equitable pay to local BIPOC artists of Vancouver, BC and all of Canada.
Through dance, specifically Street Dance Culture, we create dynamic experiences that allow for open mindedness for new ways to see ourselves, each other, and our histories, especially as people of colour navigating the world today. Barangay Project Society’s foundational values lie on the trust that we build within ourselves to become leaders and community members- fostering relationships that are built on mutual respect, compassion and empathy. We work openly and inclusively to create a safe and welcoming experience for all, regardless of one’s ethnicity, age, gender and/or economic status.
Barangay Project Society is led and founded by interdisciplinary Filipina artist and first generation immigrant Sophia Sosa in September 2020. Since its establishment, Barangay Project has successfully hosted 3 successful arts festivals in Vancouver, BC showcasing local talents through curated dance and musical performances, dance battle events, mentorships and panel discussions. With the continues support of the BC Arts Council and Canadian Heritage, Barangay Project Society consistently hosts an annual dance festival called “MOVE TOGETHER” that invites multidisciplinary artists to gather from all over the world through a 5-day experience that includes free dance workshops, performances and panel discussion from local Canadian Artists, as well as international artists.
The meaning behind the word: “Barangay”
“Barangay” is the tagalog word for village. Inspired from the memories of her childhood days in Manila, Philippines, Barangay Project founder, Sophia Laurio, wanted to build a fun, inclusive and safe space for youths and all marginalized communities with an aim to foster connections and create meaningful long lasting relationships through the power of dance. Derived from one of Hip Hop’s philosophy “each one teach one”, Sophia believes that building a safer community takes a village to achieve.