Three Left Feet

Three Left Feet is a performing arts company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1997 by three women who shared a passion for teaching and performance for young people, the company has grown into a distinctive presence in Alberta's cultural landscape. Its work combines stilt dance, acrobatic movement and dance education, with a mission captured by the phrase "every BODY can dance." The company's name plays on the idiom "two left feet," suggesting that even those who feel clumsy can move and participate. Three Left Feet operates across several interconnected areas. Its school residency program, WE Dance, is an in-school dance education program that brings movement workshops to students across Alberta. The company also produces public performances and festival appearances, using stilt dance and acrobatic movement to animate community spaces. It has performed at events such as Chinook Blast, Calgary's midwinter festival, with illuminated LED costumes and stilt performances. In addition, Three Left Feet hosts the Canadian National Stilt Symposium (CNSS), a forum for the wonder, spectacle and cultural practices of stiltwork, with the 4th edition held at Knox United Church in Calgary. The company is led by Artistic Director Allara Gooliaff, who has held the position since 2003. Gooliaff's background includes dance, gymnastics and acro-stilt, with training and performance experience across Canada and internationally in Guinea, Brazil, France, the UK and the US. She holds a B.Sc. from the University of Calgary. Ingrid Díaz Céspedes serves as Artistic Producer; born and raised in Cuba, she is a graduate of the Cuban National School of Art and the National Institute of Art, and has also trained at the School of Ballet Creole in Toronto and the Decidedly Jazz Professional Training Program. Based on the Canadian Prairies, Three Left Feet describes its movement story as shaped by geography and a grassroots connection to the people who live there. The company works with professional artists who combine passion, creativity, spark and dedication, and it is motivated by rhythms from around the world. Its work spans school residencies, festival performances, community events and symposia, making it a multifaceted performing arts organization rather than a conventional dance company.

Three Left Feet was founded in 1997 by three women who each had a passion for teaching and performance for young people. Their shared purpose was to bring the joy of music and movement throughout Alberta. From its base in Calgary, the company began traveling across the province, working with school jurisdictions and reaching countless students and educators. The company's early work focused on school residencies and performances, establishing a grassroots connection to communities from Grande Prairie to Bow Island and Bonnyville to Edson. In 2003, Allara Gooliaff became Artistic Director, a position she has cherished since. Gooliaff brought a background in dance, gymnastics and acro-stilt, with training and performance experience across Canada and internationally. Under her leadership, Three Left Feet expanded its artistic scope while maintaining its commitment to accessibility and education. The company developed WE Dance, an in-school dance education program that remains one of its most popular offerings, described as highly accessible for all students. Over the years, Three Left Feet has added sparkle and spectacle to many festivals, events and performances throughout Alberta. Its public art practice uses stilt dance and acrobatic movement to animate community spaces. The company has performed at Chinook Blast, Calgary's premier midwinter festival, with illuminated LED costumes and stilt performances such as Luminescent Tall Tales and GLOWful Wanderings. These performances, often weather-dependent, bring glow and magic to the downtown core. Three Left Feet also became a hub for the stilt community by hosting the Canadian National Stilt Symposium (CNSS). The symposium is a forum for the wonder, spectacle and cultural practices of stiltwork across the globe. The 4th edition is scheduled for September 24-27, 2026, at Knox United Church, with registration open. The company continues to be based on the Canadian Prairies, with a movement story shaped by geography and a connection to the people who live there. It works with professional artists who possess a unique combination of passion, creativity, spark and dedication, and it encourages others to move with them and be moved by them.

• 2026

  4th Canadian National Stilt Symposium scheduled for September 24-27 at Knox United Church.

• 2003

  Allara Gooliaff becomes Artistic Director.

• 1997

  Three Left Feet founded by three women in Alberta, Canada.

A grassroots performing arts company bringing accessible dance education and spectacular stilt-based public art to communities across Alberta.

• WE Dance

  In-school dance education program, highly accessible for all students.

• Canadian National Stilt Symposium (CNSS)

  A forum for the wonder, spectacle and cultural practices of stiltwork across the globe.

• Luminescent Tall Tales

  LED costume stilt performance at Chinook Blast.

• GLOWful Wanderings

  Glow-themed performance at Chinook Blast.

• Trails of Light

  Family-friendly glow event.

1. 1Dance | Three Left Feetthreeleftfeet.ca
2. 2Dance | Three Left Feet - Aboutthreeleftfeet.ca
3. 3Three Left Feet - Wikidatawikidata.org