November 2009

An enchanting evening with Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers

The Off-Site Series, held on November 17th at the Alma Gallery, was a resounding success!  For those who are still waiting for our Annual Fall Extravanganza, the Off-Site Series has replaced this event for this year. We will have another Off-site event May 1st and 2nd, 2010.  More details will follow shortly... 

60 people attended this intimate gathering and witnessed the work of Brent Lott, Rachel Brown, and Lesandra Dodson.  Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers captured both the attention and imagination of the patrons with a selection of four dances: 

The first piece of the evening entitled BOXSTRUCK, by Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers Artistic Director, Brent Lott and performed beautifully by WCD visiting dancers Johanna Riley, Sarah Roche, Kristin Haight and Lise McMillan. 

Between the Sycamore, a newer work by Lott, offered the crowd insight into the lifecycle of the Scarab Beetle.  This performance was an excerpt of the full length version that will premiere in Winnipeg in May, 2010.  

Rachel Browne's, 'Mouvement (1992) , was a powerful piece inspired partially by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait, “The Wounded Deer” and stunningly performed by Kristin Haight.                                                

In Silence, by Fredericton's Lesandra Dodson, was permeated with text from Lord Byron's nineteenth-century romantic poem "When We Two Parted".   Dancers Johanna Riley and Sarah Roche did a magnificent job weaving movement with spoken word.

As always, a lively Talkback session following the performances was filled with insightful questions from the audience.

*******************************************************

Earlier in the day the Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers performed in the courtyard at the University of Guelph where approximately 250 patrons witnessed a technique class and the two works Boxstruck by Brent Lott, and In Silence by Lesandra Dodson.  We greatly enjoy presenting in this venue, witnessing the captivation of passers by on their way to class. 

Brent Lott also taught three workshops in the schools on November 18th at Centennial Public High School, St. James High School and Eastwood Public School.

Thanks go to all the volunteers who helped make this event a great success and to the public for your very generous donations.   These contributions go a long way to ensuring The GCDF can continue to bring these fabulous artists to Guelph. 

Top Stories

WCD at The Registry Theatre this Tuesday!

All STRUCK photos
©2008 Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers
and photographer Ryan Fennessy http://www.fennessy.ca/

If you missed the GCDF's Off-Site Series, you will not want to miss the show at The Registry Theatre, Tuesday, November 24th ~ 8pm

WINNIPEG'S CONTEMPORARY DANCERS - ON THE ROAD
Canada longest running modern dance company celebrates its 45th anniversary with a national tour and a special once only performance at The Registry Theatre.  If there ever was a greatest hits compilation of dance, this is it!
ON THE ROAD highlights the versatility and strength of WCD's company dancers in a 90 minute mixed repertoire show. Do not miss this rare opportunity to experience Canada's seminal modern dance company at the region's most intimate venue.

The Registry Theatre
122 Frederick St. (at Weber St.) Kitchener
Tickets: $20 / $5 eyeGO at Centre in the Square Box Office: 519-578-1570 or www.centre-square.com
or call The Registry Theatre to reserve a group rate: $12 for groups of 6 or more ~ 519-745-6565

News about the GCDF’s Artistic Directors

Janet Johnson has been offered extraordinary opportunities to explore Canada through two performing experiences this fall.

In late October Janet spent a week in Montreal dancing with a GCDF favourite, choreographer Suzanne Miller.  Suzanne has had her work presented at the GCDF three times, most recently with her latest work Dancing with Skeletons.  Janet worked on the creation of this new work through the GCDF's first residency  featuring Miller.  The work was then performed at the GCDF s Offsite series last spring and again at the Sala Rosa Theatre in Montreal on the Day of the Dead, Nov. 1, 2009.  Janet will then be spending two weeks at the Banff Centre for the Arts in residency with DanceTheatre David Earle and the Penderecki String Quartet .  During this time David will be focussing on one of his latest works, The Odessey.  Janet will be one of the dancers for this residency.

Catrina von Radecki went to Vancouver this October for the CanDance Network meeting and Dance in Vancouver. The GCDF is one of 31 Canadian presenters who are CanDance members. The CanDance Network specializes in dance presentaton and supports our work within the dance community.  Members meet regularly in various cities across Canada.  While in Vancouver, Catrina had the opportunity of seeing many incredible performances by Vancouver based artists and is happy to announce that we will be bringing Animals of Distinction and their work Smash Up to the festival this June, 2010.
 

Back to top