Connection Dance Works welcomes collaborators from across Canada for 12th PERSPECTIVE series.
Connection Dance Works | Media Release
Dancers and choreographers from across Canada met their musician collaborators Sunday as the latest installment of the PERSPECTIVE series kicks off. This five-day collaborative lab residency, presented by Connection Dance Works, will culminate Thursday and Friday, April 21-22, in two evenings of dance, music and discussion in which the artists present new, original works-in-progress and invite feedback from the audience.
“PERSPECTIVE is kind of like a blind date for artists,” says Julie Scriver, chair of Connection Dance Works, a professional contemporary dance company in Saint John. “Many of the dancers, choreographers and musicians have never met before, let alone collaborated, so there’s a real sense of discovery as they hit the studio with less than a week to create brand-new work. The pressure is on! Like any blind date, it’s a little exhilarating, and a little terrifying.”
Now in its 12th edition, this is the most ambitious PERSPECTIVE Series to date. Artists of national and international stature have come from across the country to participate, with the eminent Marie-Josée Chartier (Chartier Danse, Toronto) acting as mentor to facilitate the development of each work-in-progress. A multi-faceted artist, Chartier moves easily between the worlds of dance, music, opera and multi-media in the roles of choreographer, performer, director, vocalist and teacher. She will present two workshops open to the public.
Connection Dance Works is delighted to partner on this PERSPECTIVE Series with Open Arts, which presents experimental, improvised, and new classical music in Saint John, as well as seeking artistic collaborations, often across disciplines. The artists for this PERSPECTIVE Series are:
- Musicians: Joel Cormier (Moncton), Sebastian Fleet (Saint John), Joel Leblanc (Fredericton) , Andrew Reed Miller (Saint John) and Robin Streb (Moncton).
- Choreographers: Vanessa Goodman (Action at a Distance, Vancouver), Jane Alison McKinney (Wild Rabbit Dance Projects, Toronto) and Georgia Skinner (Halifax).
- Dancers: Olivia Aubrecht (Halifax), Kathleen Doherty (Halifax), Marcia Dysart (Saint John) and Sarah Johnson Power (Saint John).
- Emerging Artists: Sophia Wilcott (Saint John), Jamie Harquail (Saint John) and Syndey Irvin (Saint John).
Connection Dance Works presents PERSPECTIVE in the spring and fall of each year as a way to celebrate the creative process from conception to performance by presenting works-in-progress.
“So often when we see dance we see it in its finished form,” says Scriver. “But there is a whole evolution behind that polished, final piece. PERSPECTIVE pulls the curtain back on the ideas and effort that underpin each original piece. Where does it start? What inspires the artist? How do they know their vision is complete?”
The series also aims to create a community dialogue about dance. After each piece, discussions between the audience and the dancers, choreographers and musicians provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, generate feedback, and describe the creative process.
“For the artists, to get feedback from an audience so quickly is really valuable,” says Scriver. “And it’s really exciting for them to hear the reactions of the general public, people who may not be deeply knowledgeable about dance but who can provide fresh insights. That’s what it’s all about – perspective.”
Performance:
Tickets for PERSPECTIVE, which takes place April 21 & 22, 7:30 PM, at the BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St., are $16.50/adults, $11.50/students & seniors. They are available at www.ticketpro.ca , by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and at all Ticketpro outlets in Atlantic Canada.
Workshops:
Marie-Josée Chartier will present two workshops this week. Registration fees are $15 each, or $25 for both. Both workshops are open to everyone. No prior dance experience necessary.
- Vocal Exploration Workshopfor individuals interested in exploring the possibilities of vocal expression: Tuesday, April 19. 6:30-8 pm, BMO Theatre 112 Princess Street.
- In the Body Workshopwill teach useful exercises that will improve alignment, body/brain integration, strength, coordination, flexibility, spatial awareness and rhythm: Saturday, April 23, 2-4 pm, Interaction Sanctuary Theatre, 228 Germain Street.
To register: email connectiondanceworks@gmail.com or visit the website: www.connectiondanceworks.com
