It was a busy week for dance in Ottawa. The Canada Dance festival is two months away, yet we found ourselves out two nights this week observing (what was billed as) some of the most provocative contemporary choreography.
Vincent Dance Theatre, NAC Studio, April 22 2010
The NAC Studio warmly welcomed Charlotte Vincent's Vincent Dance Theatre's production of Broken Chords. The show closes tonight and I would highly recommend attending a performance. The piece centers around the pain of "breaking up and breaking down" (NAC programme). Tongue-and-cheek humour is contrasted with the suffering of exclusion, regret and veiled emotion. The dancing is varied and flawless, and constantly defies gravity and constraint - including chairs 7 straight rows deep. The use and contrast of live musicians add a depth of emotion, dynamism and symbolism to the piece. If it's any measure of quality, my husband and I were able to sustain an hour long conversation about the piece after we had left the venue.
Marc Boivin, Arts Court, April 23, 2010
Marc Boivin's Impact was an intriguing abstract performance that used digital multimedia and dance to mirror the physical changes and vulnerability associated with aging. The innovative use of the dancer's lower leg to represent a child taking its first steps attracted the wonder of the audience, but was a one-off occurrence that missed an opportunity to grow. Overall, the dancing was polished, but somewhat uninspiring and repetitive.
Brian Webb, Arts Court, April 23, 2010
If this is the future of contemporary dance (in Ottawa), then we are doomed. To see such sub-par performances as that of Brian Webb and Marc Boivin move into Arts Court in the wake of Le Groupe's tragic exit is disheartening. Webb's piece looked as though it had not been choreographed at all, save for some half-baked arm movements and body throws that were about as entertaining as watching a fish flop around on the floor. Titled The Effects of Sunlight Falling on Raw Concrete, it actually looked as though he was half-heartedly improvising a parody of Boivin's performance by using a similar combination of steps. At one point, he emerged from one of his sequenced body throws looking as though he had forgotten the choreography altogether. It would be generous to say that his performance was thoughtful enough to parody contemporary dance and culture by insulting the audience for paying to see his choreography, but I don't think he even put that much thought into it. He has another performance tonight. Save your money because this installment of Dance Series 10 at Arts Court is not worth your time.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Dancing Away the Summer
After an audition this past Saturday, I have been chosen to perform with the Natasha Royka Dance Company, formerly known as PhOOM! (Potentially Haphazardous Objects in Motion). It is a professional contemporary dance company that has been featured in Ottawa area festivals and outdoor events. This is my first position (ha ha, great pun!) in a professional dance company and I am really looking forward to working on my craft.At the audition, I definitely felt like I danced with more confidence than any other audition I have had in the last 2 years. I feel validated and grateful that Natasha recognized my progress and determination enough to give me this opportunity to perform; indeed, she has been the facilitator of my growth this past year through her pilates and dance classes.
I am so excited to rehearse for 4 hours on a Saturday - I haven't had a regular rehearsal schedule since the LSESU Dance Society - and be pushed by such a talented, articulate dancer and choreographer.
Our first performance will be at the Canadian Museum of Nature's Naturefest where we will be enchanting the audience as costumed insects, May 22 and 23, 2010. Hope you can make it out!
The picture above is after my performance, Surrationality, choreographed by Francesca Cookney, at the LSESU Dance Society in 2008 in London, UK.
Friday, April 9, 2010
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