Capital Sessions

Name: Capital Sessions
Start: 2025-01-19T13:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-01-19T15:30:00-05:00
Location: National Arts Center - Centre National des Arts

Schedule

Sun Jan 19 2025 at 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

National Arts Center - Centre National des Arts | Ottawa, ON

Capital Sessions is back at the NAC with DJ Araño and dancer Christian (Cee) Ancheta! It's a free community house dance practice! The DJ plays deep soulful house for 2 hours straight and there are two 30-minute workshops (at 1:30 and 2:30) by our guest dancer. The instruction is visual (no screaming 1-2-3-4) and the class portion is optional, you can do you, or learn some steps! You can hang out, there's seating, an awesome cafe, great family-friendly house music and an awesome community vibe. Come share-vibe and enjoy the music! Did I mention it's FREE???
Artist Bios:
Cee:
Christian, widely known as Cee, has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of three. His journey began with the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa, where he honed his skills in the rich cultural dances of the Philippines. In 2001, he discovered his passion for bboying (breakdancing), which became the focus of his artistic journey.
What began as an interest inspired by music videos grew into a lifelong dedication. Cee traveled extensively to learn from various teachers and mentors, developing his craft and personal style. Over two decades later, his expertise has led him to perform across Canada, the U.S., and Asia. His career highlights include appearances on TV commercials and shows such as So You Think You Can Dance Canada, as well as modeling and being featured on product packaging.
Cee has performed alongside notable artists including Masia One, Talib Kweli, and the Beastie Boys. He has also participated in the National Breakdance Forum in the Yukon for four consecutive years and contributed to social initiatives through his involvement with Blueprint for Life, using Hip Hop as a tool for community empowerment.
His passion for dance has taken him to Southeast Asia, where he has taught, performed, and explored countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Cee’s approach emphasizes continuous learning and sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow dancers and students.
From studio rehearsals to international stages and community outreach, Cee’s journey is a testament to his dedication, growth, and impact in the world of dance.
DJ Araño:
Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, John Araño comes from a rich cultural background rooted in the Philippines. His parents hail from Dauis, Bohol, and his father, also a DJ, introduced John to the world of music from an early age. Growing up in a household filled with vibrant melodies and rhythms, John developed a deep appreciation and understanding of various genres. This early exposure laid the foundation for his unique style and expertise as a DJ.
John began his professional DJ career in the summer of 2022, making an immediate impact on Ottawa’s nightlife scene. His first gig led to two residencies at prominent local nightclubs, BabaBar and JTM. Since then, John has built a reputation as both a resident DJ at top clubs in the city and a skilled performer for private events. Through his work with Extreme Entertainment, he’s brought his energy and expertise to weddings, corporate parties, and more. Noteworthy clients include The Conservative Party of Canada, CF Rideau Centre, and Shopify. John has also performed at prestigious venues such as the National Arts Centre and the Museum of History.
John’s extensive knowledge of music allows him to seamlessly blend genres and eras, keeping the dancefloor alive with energy. Whether crafting a rhythm that locks people into movement or delivering tracks that inspire heartfelt singalongs, his sets are designed to create unforgettable experiences. Growing up in a Filipino household and working in Canada’s multicultural capital exposed him to a diverse range of musical influences. John effortlessly incorporates sounds from English, French, Spanish, and Arabic-speaking cultures, creating a truly global vibe in every performance.
John’s extensive knowledge of music allows him to seamlessly blend genres and eras, keeping the dancefloor alive with energy. Whether crafting a rhythm that locks people into movement or delivering tracks that inspire heartfelt singalongs, his sets are designed to create unforgettable experiences. Growing up in a Filipino household and working in Canada’s multicultural capital exposed him to a diverse range of musical influences. John effortlessly incorporates sounds from English, French, Spanish, and Arabic-speaking cultures, creating a truly global vibe in every performance.
As a DJ, John aims to continue delivering genre-blending sets that captivate audiences in Ottawa and beyond. His ultimate goal is to expand his reach to international stages, sharing his dynamic open-format style with audiences in the Philippines, the US, the UK, and Australia. Driven by a passion for music and connection, John strives to bring people together through the universal language of sound.