Dance Victoria Footnotes 47 (Spring 2015)

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ISSUE  • SPRING  • ODC Dance + Dance Days + Compagnie Käfig + more

Videos, + photos fo in e r mo web on the

ODC Dance (San Francisco)

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Triangulating Euclid Waving Not Drowning (A Guide to Elegance) January 29 + 30 • Thur + Fri • 7:30 pm Royal Theatre Running time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including intermission)

Dance Days

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Free classes (all over town): January 23 – February 1

Performances:

ODC Dance in Waving Not Drowning. Photo © Steve DiBartolomeo

January 29 – February 7

Compagnie Käfig (Brazil) Käfig Brasil March 14 + 15 • Fri + Sat • 7:30 pm Royal Theatre Running time: 1 hour (no intermission)

PRESENTING SPONSOR MOTORCYCLES

 Footnotes • Issue  • Spring 

Brenda’s Way Dance Victoria brings the world’s best dance to Victoria’s theatres and fosters the development of new dance at its studios in Quadra Village.

Dance Victoria is a non-profit charitable society.

Dance Victoria Board: President

Paul McNair

Secretary/ Treasurer

Regan McGrath

Directors

Mariann Burka Mary Desprez Dr. Allana Lindgren Kari McLay René Peloquin Lynda Raino John B. Shields

Staff: Executive Producer

Stephen White

General Manager

Bernard Sauvé

Operations Manager

Shireen McNeilage

Technical Director

Holly Vivian

Graphic Design

Rayola Creative

Advertising Sales

Bonnie Light

Trips Coordinator

Bill Hamar

If you’d like to volunteer for Dance Victoria please call 250-595-1829 Studios and Office: 111 – 2750 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 250-595-1829 DanceVictoria.com for trailers, tickets and more information Footnotes is written by Stephen White (unless otherwise noted) and proofed by Anne Moon.

art forms I think we were trying to figure out how they intersected, and what was necessary (and what wasn't). Did you need to have a stage? Did you need to have an audience? I think there were fundamental aesthetic questions we were asking. In New York people were asking ‘Did you need to know how to dance in order to be a dancer?’"

ODC Dance’s founding artistic director and visionary, Brenda Way is speaking about the artistically fertile 1970s when ODC came into being. The actual founding year for the Oberlin Dance Collective (now ODC Dance) was 1971. Way had been teaching at Ohio’s Oberlin College, which at the time was a nexus for experimentation in the arts. The original collective included 16 musicians, writers, dancers and visual artists. In the summer, between school terms, the collective built a stage in the sand dunes at Martha’s Vineyard as a sort of retreat. Here ODC was discovered by an east coast dance critic and suddenly they gained profile in the world of dance.

Fast forward to 1976: a seminal year for several reasons. Dancer (and now co-artistic director) KT Nelson joined ODC and the company moved, leaving small-town Oberlin for the big city of San Francisco. All 16 members packed up their customized yellow school bus with as many costumes and props as they could fit and made the trek across the country, like homesteaders. Why San Francisco? “San Francisco had a history of invention,” says Way. “I wanted a bigger picture of what was beautiful. I wanted to redefine beauty.”

Way had studied with the legendary George Balanchine at the School of American Ballet in New York as a girl, so she understood that world. She defines ballet as a received language, codified movements with a royal lineage that have been passed down through generations. By contrast, modern dance is continuously inventing language.

Since founding ODC, Way has choreographed nearly 80 new works while leading the company through buying land and building a venue (1979) in San Francisco’s Mission District, developing a 23,000 square foot studio complex (2005) and renovating its original facility (2011), all the time raising four children.

“I think there is a lot of artistic friction at the intersections of these different parts of my life.

My family, my organizing, my building, my directing…

For me the ‘art act’ is not separate, it’s an interior process… So all the things I do I think actually feed it. Even though building a building doesn’t seem like an artistic act, being in the middle of it stimulates the artistic muscle.”

In Victoria, ODC will perform one of Way’s pieces, Waving Not Drowning as well as a collaborative work co-choreographed with KT Nelson and Kate Weare entitled Triangulating Euclid.

The latter draws its inspiration from the discovery of a rare publication of Euclid’s Elements. The Greek mathematician, Euclid, is considered “the father of geometry.” The “Triangulating” in the title acknowledges the trio of choreographers who worked together to develop the work.

(With reference to NotesOnTheRoad.com by Dorothy Wu (April 2011)) FN

ODC Dance in Triangulating Euclid. Photo (top) © Margo Moritz; (bottom) Waving Not Drowning. Photo © 2008 RJ Muna

“…it was the time. None of us invents anything "whole-cloth." But in all of the

DanceVictoria.com • 

ODC Events

Pre-Show Chats

Open Rehearsal

Conversations led by Dr. Allana Lindgren, dance historian and Head of U Vic.’s Theatre Department Join us in the lobby at 6:50 pm before ODC Dance and meet Brenda Way, founding artistic director and learn about the remarkable vision that has propelled the organization forward since 1971.

On March 14 and 15, at 6:50 pm meet French choreographer Mourad Merzouki in a discussion about the relationship between Hip Hop and Brazil’s capoeira.

Saturday, January 24 • 5:00 pm Dance Victoria Studios (2750 Quadra Street) Come to Dance Victoria Studios and get up close and personal with three ODC dancers while they run through a sensitive, ponderous, delicate trio that is central to Triangulating Euclid.

Afterwards, meet the dancers and ODC Co-Artistic Director K T Nelson in a casual question and answer session.

Sponsored by

Admission is FREE: However space is limited: Please reserve by phone @ 250-595-1829 or email social@dancevictoria.com with “ODC Rehearse” in the subject line.

President’s Circle Reception Monday, January 26 • 5:30 pm Tulipe Noire (1887 Oak Bay Ave) Hosted by Tulipe Noire’s Kari McLay and exclusive to Dance Victoria’s President’s Circle Donors and Sponsors. Meet ODC’s KT Nelson and learn more about the incredible accomplishments of Nelson and her colleagues at ODC over 40 plus years.

Hosted cocktails. Catering by Truffles.

Strong Fall Season Dance Victoria had its strongest fall season on record. In total 7,750 people attended BalletBoyz® and RWB’s Nutcracker for an average capacity of 93% per performance. RWB’s Nutcracker alone is the highest grossing show in Dance Victoria’s 18-year history.

Pay Your Age Sponsored by A reminder: If you have a friend or family member aged 12 to 29, tell them they can pay their age* for any Dance at the Royal presentation. A limited quantity of Pay Your Age tickets are available three weeks prior to the performance. Follow Dance Victoria on Twitter or Like us on Facebook so you know the moment PYA is on sale. *Subject to a $5 Royal and McPherson box office fee

Yes! I want Dance Victoria to thrive!

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Dance Victoria Society  –  Quadra Street, Victoria, BC VT E Phone: -- with your credit card in hand Online: Donate over our secure page at DanceVictoria.com

 Footnotes • Issue  • Spring 

FREE CLASSES

WATCH

ROUGH CUTS

Friday, January 23 through Sunday, February 1

Company Class and Rehearsal

Join dance presenters visiting Victoria from across the country at these free studio showings of new works-inprogress. Space is limited so advance reservations are required. Phone 250595-1829 or rsvp@dancevictoria.com All Rough Cuts showings are at Dance Victoria Studios (2750 Quadra Street)

Developed for the adult beginner or intermediate student, the classes include ballet, Hip Hop, belly dance, Latin ballroom, flamenco, West African, modern and more. The complete schedule is online at DanceVictoria.com or pick up a program guide at any Serious Coffee location on southern Vancouver Island. New this year, professional level classes taught by San Francisco’s ODC Dance and Vancouver’s 605 Collective on Sunday, January 25.

Ballet Victoria (643 Broughton) January 26 through 29 : am – : am 250-380-6063 to reserve

Company Class and Rehearsal • Professional Level Ballet (Cecchetti) Victoria Academy of Ballet • NEW Studio (716 Johnson) January 26 through 30 : am – : pm 250-590-6752 to reserve

Flamenco Demo

Kick off Dance Days at a Swing Class and Party!

Alma de España @ Dance Victoria Studios (2750 Quadra) January 30 • : pm – : pm

Red Hot Swing @ Dance Victoria Studios Friday, January 23 • :pm – :am

An Afternoon with Ballet Etoile

Highlights of other FREE Stuff

No experience or partner necessary. Start with an introductory class and then dance the night away!

Berwick Royal Oak Theatre (4680 Elk Lake Drive) February 1 • : pm – : pm

Enjoy the Savings

Belly Dance Demo

Toes ‘N’ Taps Dance Shoppe (1733 Cook) Saturday, January 31 • All day

Asmira’s School of Oriental Belly Dance @ Dance Victoria Studios February 1 • : pm – : pm

Dancer Appreciation Day – special in-store prices and prizes

Stand Up Dance (Toronto) January 31 • : pm – : pm WARNING: Nudity. New work inspired by the Occupy Movement. social@dancevictoria.com with “Stand Up” in subject line.

605 Collective (Vancouver) January 30 • : pm – : pm New work entitled Vital Few. social@dancevictoria.com with “605” in subject line.

Jane Osborne (Vancouver) January 31 • : pm – : pm Compelling dance artist Osborne shares a section of her new work The Whitened Page. social@dancevictoria.com with “Jane” in subject line.

ODC Dance (San Francisco) January 31 • : pm – : pm New work, Boulders and Bones. ODC Artistic Directors and dancers will demonstrate creative process. social@dancevictoria.com with “ODC” in subject line

DanceVictoria.com • 

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Free classes January 23 – February 1, 2015 Performances January 29 – February 7, 2015 Things change. Updates: dancevictoria.com/dancedays PUBLIC SECTOR

PERFORMANCES Dance Days features three outstanding contemporary dance works at the Metro Studio Theatre (Quadra at Johnson), selected because of their immediacy, craft and the artists’ willingness to risk. See all three for $65.

Box Office: 250-386-6121 or visit DanceVictoria.com, order online and save even more.

The Biting School Performance (Vancouver) January 31 • : pm February 1 • : pm The Righteous Floater Iranian-Canadian brothers Arash and Aryo Khakpour in a dangerous world where boundaries (physical and emotional) are constantly challenged. “A surprising and moving work that is in turns playful and deadpan to devastating emotional effect.” The Dance Current.

Tickets: $22.50

Theatre SKAM presents Ballet Victoria January 31 • : pm February 1 • : pm Aerwocal • World Premiere!

Paul Destrooper adapts a gritty work of outdoor theatre originally produced by Theatre SKAM into a new contemporary ballet piece.

Tickets: $22.50

Wen Wei Dance (Vancouver) + Beijing Modern Dance

Wen Wei Wang in Made In China. Photo © Chris Randle

February 5 through 7 • : pm Made in China • World Premiere!

Canada’s much admired dance artist Wen Wei Wang has created a deeply personal work with Gao Yanjinzi (Beijing). Live music by Qui Xie He (Silk Road Ensemble) and sound/video installation by Sammy Chien. Tickets: $30

DANCEWEAR SPONSOR

MEDIA PARTNERS

ď˜ž Footnotes • Issue ď˜źď˜ż • Spring ď˜şď˜šď›œď˜˝

Go KĂ¤ďŹ g-er

Dance Victoria News

Born in Lyons, France, in ď™„ď™Œď™Šď™†, Mahoud Merzouki had a career as a child circus performer before he was introduced to the world of Hip Hop at age ď™„ď™ˆ. He hasn’t looked back.

Today, he is the director of the Centre chorĂŠgraphique National de CrĂŠteil et du Val-de-Marne in France. France is home to 19 choreographic centres situated in 15 of the country’s 22 regions. The centres were first established in 1980 as a way of “de-centralizingâ€? the development of dance, moving it out of such larger urban centres as Paris and Lyons so that a broader public could become engaged with dance practice. Each centre has a choreographer as its director and most often, a resident company. Käfig is the resident company at CrĂŠteil.

Käfig was formed in 1996, and has performed over 2,000 times in 47 countries, 600 cities, for more than one million people.

In Victoria, the company will perform Käfig Brasil, the third piece Merzouki has created with this group of dancers from Rio de Janeiro.

He was first introduced to the eleven dancers by a colleague, Guy Darmet (former Director of the Maison de la Danse in Lyon), who now lives between France and Brazil. Darmet knew the dancers very well and he suggested Merzouki create a piece for them, recognizing a kinship in the style of movement between Brazil’s capoeira and the Hip Hop culture.

Merzouki has an interest in working globally. He recently finished a project in Taiwan that was presented in France. He also has new projects with other countries, such as Japan, where again his objective is to share Hip Hop, fusing it with dance styles from other cultures. FN

PRINTING

Annual General Meeting In late November, thirty or so hearty members came out to our Annual General Meeting to review the results from Dance Victoria’s 2013/14 year that ended June 30, 2014. The audited financial statements for the year revealed a tiny deficit (about $1,500) on a total budget of $1.4 million. Surprisingly, the largest selling presentation, aside from The Nutcracker, was Alberta Ballet’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy which outsold (in total number of tickets) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In all, 2013/14 was reported as a successful year.

New Board Members At the AGM, President Paul McNair thanked Vice President Bob Milne for not just his recent service, but for his continued support and years of past service to Dance Victoria. Bob has assumed full responsibility as President of Pacific Opera.

Two new Board members were elected; Mariann Burka and RenĂŠ Peloquin. Burka has had an extensive career in the public service including senior positions as Executive Director and Assistant Deputy Minister. Peloquin is a Senior Consultant at Queenswood Consulting and is a member of the Bar of British Columbia. They will join re-elected Directors Paul McNair, Regan McGrath, Mary Desprez, Allana Lindgren, Kari McLay, Lynda Raino and John B Shields. More at DanceVictoria.com.

Spring Rae Dance Victoria’s raffle proceeds support the many community projects it undertakes from its studios on Quadra Street. Tickets are now on sale and will be available at all Dance Victoria presentations this season or you can call 250-595-1829 to order by phone.

The fantastic prizes include:

Business Cards Rack Cards & Post Cards Newsletters & Calendars Corporate Envelopes Photo Books Brochures & Flyers

FIRST: Join Dance Victoria’s five-night tour to New York (May 2016). Includes return air, accommodation, daily breakfast, walking tours, tickets to American Ballet Theater at the Lincoln Center and more (Value: $2,800) SECOND: A full year’s membership at Victoria’s premiere fitness facility, the Victoria Athletic Club which includes a 25 metre lap pool, sauna, steam room Jacuzzi and more (Value: $1,000) THIRD: Three nights in Vancouver for two. Fly Helijet, stay at the Rosedale on Robson and enjoy two tickets to any Ballet BC production in 2015/16. (Value: $950) Tickets are $10 each or a book of five for $40. With less than 2,000 printed, your odds are great, plus you’ll enjoy knowing you’re supporting Victoria’s vibrant dance community. The raffle will be drawn at the Victoria Athletic Club at 2:00 pm on May 6.

RAFFLE PARTNERS

%VOFEJO 4U GBTUSBDQSJOUJOH DPN

Rosedale on Robson

DanceVictoria.com • 

Ballet BC After Ballet BC’s thrilling return to Victoria in January , Dance Victoria has been in conversation with Artistic Director, Emily Molnar and Executive Director, Branislav Henselmann about how we might forge stronger ties between the province’s capital city and Ballet BC. It has been an interesting exchange and we’re anxious to get started.

To kick things off, Dance Victoria commissioned a new solo work from Ballet BC’s artist in residence, Dario Dinuzzi that will premiere in Victoria as part of Cherish, January 24 (see page 6).

Also in the works: • Four Ballet BC dancers working with four members of Victoria Academy of Ballet’s Bridging program will lead a week-long choreographic lab. The work created during this time will be shown, free to the public • A public online forum between Molnar and DV’s Stephen White All of these activities will lead up to the presentation of Ballet BC’s 30th Anniversary performance at the Royal this November.

Molnar’s hard work has been gaining international attention. Ballet BC is currently fielding requests from presenters in Quebec, Ontario, New York and on the west coast of the US. They are also working on plans for the company to tour in Europe.

Recently, Molnar has been appointed sessional Artistic Director of Dance at The Banff Centre, a new position designed to guide and inform all Banff Centre dance initiatives throughout the year in collaboration with the Canadian and international dance community.

Anne-Marie Holmes in Gisèle. Photo © H. Rogers

See Ballet BC in Vancouver and Save!

Dance Victoria has negotiated a special rate with Ballet BC and The Rosedale on Robson hotel. If you’re interested in travelling to Vancouver for any of the following please contact Stephen White at 250-595-1803 or producer@dancevictoria.com for more information. If there is enough interest, White will also talk to Ballet BC about a value added event, such as an open rehearsal or a reception with the dancers. All performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver.

• February 19 – 21 • Miami City Ballet • All Balanchine. Includes performances of Serenade, Symphony in Three Movements and Ballo della Regina.

• March 26 – 28 • Ballet BC • Trace. Works by William Forsythe, rising Italian star Walter Matteini and a reprise of Medhi Warleski’s (Nederlands Dans Theater) Petite Ceremonie.

• May 7 – 9 • Ballet BC • Rite. Two new works taking their inspiration form Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring created by Emily Molnar and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano. Sansano has works in the repertoire of major companies in Spain, Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands

Dance Archives News Wednesday, January 28 • 1:00 – 3:00 pm Dance Victoria Studios (2750 Quadra Street) In celebration of Dance Days, the Archives Committee will be “opening the vault” and sharing the fascinating collection of materials from the past century that they have been collecting and cataloguing. Join the conversation and take in their fresh display of materials on exhibit in the community gallery.

Light refreshments served. For more information, phone 250595-1829 or social@dancevictoria.com with “Archives” in subject line.

LOLA Projects Update The LOLA Projects pair leading practitioners with Victoria dance artists developing new work at Dance Victoria Studios. Past mentors have included Emily Molnar, Wen Wei Wang, Joe Laughlin and others.

In February, two local groups will undergo an intensive twoweek process with Berlin’s Gabi Beier. Beier is the artistic director of ada studio in Berlin, an incubator of new works by emerging dance artists. In Victoria, Beier will apply her very specific and comprehensive methodology in the development of two new works by two collectives: • Stacey Horton, Brandy Baybutt and Treena Stubel • Dyana Sonik-Henderson (Broken Rhythms Collective) The first viewing of this new work will be shown at Dance Victoria Studios on Saturday, February 14, at 4:00 pm. Admission is free, but seating is limited. If you’re attending please social@dancevictoria.com with “LOLA Projects” in the subject line.

This season, Dance Victoria has teamed with Vancouver’s Dance Centre. Beier will repeat her process with two dance collectives in Vancouver. On February 27, the Victoria dancers will travel to Vancouver where all four pieces that have benefitted from Beier’s tutelage will be shown in an informal presentation at the Dance Centre.

You’ll also have an opportunity to meet Gabi Beier and learn more about her process and the dance scene in Berlin on Saturday, January 31 at 11:00 am in a facilitated conversation at the Fairmont Empress Library Room. social@dancevictoria.com with “Roundtable” in the subject line.

 Footnotes • Issue  • Spring 

Dance Victoria is fortunate to have the support of many people.

Thank you. It means a lot to us and to the dance community in Victoria.

Presents

The following have donated to our Fall Donor Campaign.

(November 1, 2014 through January 7, 2015)

NUTCRACKER KIDS DONOR

Cherish

A Dance Victoria Fundraising Event Saturday, January 24 • 8:00 pm Dance Victoria Studios (2750 Quadra Street) Limited Seating • Tickets $65 Phone 250-595-1829 today!

ODC Dance’s Waving Not Drowning. © 2008 RJ Muna

In the intimacy of Dance Victoria Studios watch five compelling works by artists from Victoria, Vancouver and San Francisco and meet the artists as they talk about their pieces. The evening includes an award-winning solo by 605 Collective’s Josh Martin (Vancouver), a new solo created by veteran choreographer Jennifer Mascall (Vancouver), a new solo by Ballet BC’s Artist in Residence Dario Dinuzzi, a solo from a new work entitled Liminal choreographed by Victoria’s Constance Cooke and, finally, a hauntingly beautiful trio by ODC Dance. This is a one-of-a-kind event. Never will such a diverse group of excellent dance artists be programmed together.

Catering by Truffles. Champagne Reception with the artists to follow.

A charitable tax receipt will be provided for a portion of the ticket price.

Cherish also features a silent auction. One of a few select items available to the highest bidder includes an escape from the ordinary at Victoria’s Villa Marco Polo Inn, the premium destination for the discerning traveller!

MEMBER

Anonymous (3) Antler Ridge Dance Dr. Gregory Margaret Bachmann Andrachuk & Dr. Darlene Hammell Douglas Baer Sherri Bird Jean Bain Barbara Costigan Andrea Brimmell Joan Davis W. Coull & Peggy Firstbrook Janice Krieger Dance On It Studios Norah Garyali (Level 4 Ballet Class) Eric Grace Wendy Grovestine Arlene Dubinsky & Gordon Gunn & Richard Adie Janete Vanderveen Janie Keenlyside Philomena Hanson Norah Garyali Deborah Kirk Kathy Lang Brenda McBride Kari McLay Katherine McIndoe Dr. Christopher Paula McGahon Morrow Annemarie & Move This Rosemarie Rindt Dance Studio Joan Ross Jean Orr Mr & Mrs R. Reynolds Esmee Rothschild & Larry Jones Alexandra Shapka Bernard Sauvé Amanda Veronica Stinson Vasilakopoulos Sandra Stott Patricia Weldon Alice Whitehead FRIEND Art Wright & E. M. Alkenbrack Sylvia Bews-Wright P. M. Bond SUPPORTER Sallie Dabb Dr. Whitney Laughlin Anonymous (4) Kevin Murphy Paula Carey & Betty Person Nicholas Wemyss Ana Salcedo Laurie Farley Velda Scobie Gordon D. Fulton In Memory of Lorna Wells

Lorraine GarciaMeredith & Jack Meredith Wayne Ghesquire & Cindy Lundy Dr. Frank & Brenda Jagdis Kathleen McCann Jan McMillan Robin J Miller Terry Moore (DFH Referral Program) Jan Skirrow Patricia Taylor Jayne & Steve Weatherbe Betty Wilkinson PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Elizabeth Borek Lorna Harris Vivian & Monty Love Robert Milne KIDD PIVOT COMMISSION FUND The following assisted Dance Victoria in commissioning Kidd Pivot (Crystal Pite’s) new work that will play Victoria in March 2016 as part of our 2015/16 season.

Robert Milne, Gordon Fulton, Gordon Gunn and Janete Vanderveen