In September 2002, the same inner voice which urged me to let go of dance in 1989 (and which assured me that I would dance again knowing when, where, and why) spoke to me clearly. This time the message was this. That it was time. … Time to dance ‘again’.

Fourteen years following my first 'miracle' of completely healing my fractured knee and hand and my subsequent first tour as a solo artist, I defied odds and stereotypical beliefs again. In 2003 I returned to the stage, my body stronger than ever, my heart aglow, my expansive life experience fuelling every movement. After fourteen years of ‘temporary retirement’, I triumphantly returned to the stage*.

In 2004/05 it was my sheer pleasure to begin choreographing on other dancers. I created two new contemporary ballets, commissioned by Ballet British Columbia’s Mentor Program. “Kundulaian”, created in honor of lepers and street children, and “L’Esprit Eternel”, a contemporary ballet which takes pointe to its edges, have been seen by audiences in five Vancouver venues.

In 2005/06 ARIOLE ALEI DANCE (formerly Sharon Wehner Dance) planned its launch as a visionary ensemble company, uniting the best of the classical aesthetic with the innovation and rich expression of contemporary dance. 

The universe coordinates life in interesting and sometimes unexpected ways.  Of eight major grant applications written and numerous Corporate Sponsorship acknowledgements of interest, no funds were received to this project. 

And so I have been freed to co-launch HeartSong Solutions including HeartSong Matchmaking - "the world's first holistic matchmaking service designed for personal growth oriented singles" - as well as HeartSong Couples, Families, and Teens.  And my husband Colin Hillstrom and I are publishing four books - to be released September 2006.  They are HeartSong: Conversations About Love, Joy and Sex - Discover the Secret to a Fulfilling Love Relationship, When A Man Really Loves A Woman - Why We Must Love More And What To Do About It, Awakening Instinct * Running the Gauntlet * Windows Through Time - a trilogy, and Birds' Eye View - A Travel Guide to the Universe.  For more information, please visit us at www.HeartSongSolutions.ca and www.veraxis.net.

Ariole K. Alei,
Artistic Director

* See Artistic Director’s CV/Bio for details of her ‘temporary retirement’ activities.

Ballet British Columbia Mentor Program students perform this vibrant new commission, a contemporary ballet en pointe created by Ariole K. Alei.
June 10 2005 @ 8pm
Moberley Arts Centre, 7646 Prince Albert Street
(1 block east of Fraser @ 59 th Avenue)
Info & Tix: (604) 718-6521

At the Winnipeg Fringe Festival - Ariole K. Alei in a one-woman performance of 5 solo dances by Anna Wyman, Gisa Cole, & Ariole K. Alei.
July 20 2005 @ 9:15pm, July 21 @ noon, July 23 @ 5:45pm,
July 24 @ 12:15pm, July 25 @ 9:30pm
Venue #9 WCD Studio (211 Bannatyne)
Tix: www.winnipegfringe.com or at 9-4-FRINGE

At the Saskatoon Fringe Festival - Ariole K. Alei in a one-woman performance of 5 solo dances by Anna Wyman, Gisa Cole, & Ariole K. Alei.
August 4 - 14 2005 Performance times and venue tba
Info: www.saskatoonfringe.org or (306) 664-2239

At the Victoria Fringe Festival - Ariole K. Alei in a one-woman performance of 5 solo dances by Anna Wyman, Gisa Cole, & Ariole K. Alei.
August 25 - September 5 2005 Performance times and venue tba
Info: www.intrepidtheatre.com or (250) 383-2663

At the Vancouver Fringe Festival - Ariole K. Alei in a one-woman performance of 5 solo dances by Anna Wyman, Gisa Cole, & Ariole K. Alei.
September 8 - 18 2005 Performance times and venue tba
Info: www.vancouverfringe.com or (604) 257-0350