The trial of prominent CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi is a hot topic for many Canadians. Perhaps one of the most divisive cases in Canadian legal history, this story brought the many nuanced and complicated facets of sexual violence- many of them oppressive and problematic- to the forefront of mainstream discourse. “The Ghomeshi Effect”, as … Continue reading Local Theatre Troupe Hopes to Inspire Call to Action with New Piece, “The Ghomeshi Effect”
“raw footage” Fails to Inspire
raw footage, unique among Fringe shows this year as the only dance piece on the bill, features three stylistically distinct solo contemporary dance performances choreographed by Cathy Kyle Fenton and performed by three different women (not credited in a program). I go to dance to learn something about how the human body speaks. Raw footage … Continue reading “raw footage” Fails to Inspire
“Usually Beauty Fails”: A Seamless Blend of Dance and Live Music
The Canada Dance Festival(CDF) is back in town this week and this year they’re looking to compel audiences through the “amazing physicality of the body moving through space” (Jeanne Holmes, Festival Artistic Director, Show Program 2016). With performances happening at four different venues plus four different site-specific works the 2016 CDF boasts quite the roster. … Continue reading “Usually Beauty Fails”: A Seamless Blend of Dance and Live Music
“Danse de Garçons” Explores What it Means to be a Man
What does it mean to be a man in this day and age? Danse de Garçons, playing at La Nouvelle Scène until Saturday April 16, explores this question and answers it with a few different ideas: competition and collaboration, physical and emotional support and domination, roughness and tenderness, and in its final breathtaking image the … Continue reading “Danse de Garçons” Explores What it Means to be a Man
Dark Horse Dance Projects Showcases Strong Storytellers
Two Fridays ago I found myself at the Glebe Community Centre for the first installment of Dark Horse Dance Projects (DHDP) and my first foray into the independent dance scene here in Ottawa. An evening of nine short movement pieces, DHDP looks to showcase new experimental works from emerging performers. As one might expect, some … Continue reading Dark Horse Dance Projects Showcases Strong Storytellers
“Damaged Goods” is Well Worth Seeing
I have little to no experience in the world of dance. My knowledge in this art form spans eight or nine seasons of So You Think You Can Dance and one trip to the Festival Trans-Ameriques in Montreal (plus a handful of shows I've seen through NAC Dance). However, I enjoy going to see dance … Continue reading “Damaged Goods” is Well Worth Seeing
Passages Review
Passages Ian Huffam I sincerely hope that choreographers Andrée Charlebois and Jenn Macquarrie continue to develop this show as a continuing artistic project, because there’s a kernel of a good show here that needs to be encouraged to grow. Using Highland dance and traditional Gaelic songs, Passages tells the story of the Scottish people … Continue reading Passages Review
Still Standing You: He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
Still Standing You: He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother Brianna McFarlane You need to have an open mind in order to appreciate the beauty found in Still Standing You, a two man original collaboration, composed and performed by Belgian Pieter Ampe and Guilherme Garrido from Portugal, currently part of the NAC’s newest experimental dance initiative, … Continue reading Still Standing You: He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
The New Ottawa Critics 