Hanoi: A Night of Dance for Blue Dragon

Last fall, I fulfilled a dream I've always had -- to join a dance class and learn some smooth Latin dance moves. Then, I fell and broke my arm (not while dancing, at least) and swapped dance classes for physiotherapy (after finishing the month, dancing one-armed with [not-so-very] chic shoulder immobilizer fashion). But several months later, on May 31, 2025, I was invited back to the dance scene, this time in an art much better suited to my talents -- as a photographer for a dance show put on by The Hive in Hanoi, Vietnam!

The showcase was hosted not only to display the incredible talents of the dancers but also to raise money for Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, an organization in Vietnam with a goal to end human trafficking. I got to work alongside another incredible photographer, Oliver Newman, who was there shooting on behalf of Blue Dragon. (You can see some of his fantastic photos from the showcase in this Blue Dragon post.)

Blue Dragon CEO Skye Maconachie and her daughter

For years, Daniela Gon Baquedano has been choreographing and teaching various dance classes at The Hive in Hanoi. This showcase commemorated her exit from Hanoi as she pursues new adventures. The showcase was an obvious labor of love for her, but if you were one of her dance students, you already knew the passion and joy she brought to every single moment.

My favorite dance of the evening is pictured below, featuring and created by Daniela and Red. It's a love-torn story that you can watch here.

Daniela and Red are professional dancers, but it's very important to emphasize that the other performers are not. They come from a variety of professions (many teachers, who are a major demographic in the expat community), and they showed up to weekly rehearsals to practice these routines. The few weeks before the showcase consisted of more frequent and rigorous rehearsals, and it all paid off in this grand finale, the devotion and artistry on full display onstage.

Thank you, Daniela, for all you have done for the dance community in Hanoi! May your next adventure be as inspiring and influential as the last. <3