The ninth edition of Fall for Dance North is off to an incredible start, and is culminating in their Signature Programmes. The first Programme, Heartbeats, combines companies and choreographers from all over the world, each telling a unique story about love and the human condition. Each piece more mesmerizing than the last, Heartbeats is truly an unforgettable experience.
I think we should start over – Candoco Dance Company. Choreographed by Jamaal Burkmar.
“I think we should start over” is a unique and thought-provoking way to start the Programme; with a focus on accessibility, it certainly grabbed my attention from the start. Before the performance begins, there’s descriptions of the scene, the artists, and how they’re going to perform, as well as a clock to help those following along in other ways to know what part of the piece the dancers are at. It’s wonderful to see that kind of care and consideration being taken.
The performance itself was beautiful and profound. One of the performers is in a wheelchair, while the other doesn’t use mobility aids, and they were able to dance together seemingly effortlessly. I also enjoyed that they weren’t dancing to music, rather to bits of podcasts and audiobooks, sometimes getting into very dense subject matter, and it made for a fascinating experience. Dancers Maiya Leeke and Caroline Lofthouse mirror the conversations we’re hearing with their dancing, thus having a discussion all their own.
Bliss – Gibney Company. Choreographed by Johan Inger.
The first large ensemble piece of the Programme is “Bliss”, a high-energy piece that dazzles from start to finish. The curtain rises on a night sky, initially having the dancers appear to be heavenly bodies amongst the stars, but as the piece progresses you see their connections forming and how the piece is about this bliss that comes from love and being with one another.
Honestly, I think those dancers were in constant motion for the entirety of the piece; it was exhausting watching them run all over the stage and do this incredible high-kicking choreography. The ensemble is comprised of Scott Autry, Miriam Gittens, Eddieomar Gonzalez-Castillo, Graham Feeny, Eleni Loving, Jesse Obremski, Kevin Pajarillaga, Jordan Powell, Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, Madi Tanguay, Jacob Thoman, and Jake Tribus. They all did such a phenomenal job bringing this piece to life. “Bliss” was truly blissful; the stunning visuals and intricate patters in the choreography make it an awe-inspiring piece.
Mascara – Choreographed and performed by Pulga Muchochoma.
Mascara means ‘mask’ in Portuguese, a theme which pervades Muchochoma’s piece. A look into life as an immigrant in Canada, Muchochoma starts off the piece donning an African mask. As the piece progresses and that mask is removed, we see the real Muchochoma and their struggles with identity and belonging in a new country.
Muchochoma is accompanied by musician Kobena Aquaa-Harrison; it was lovely to have the live music being performed on stage. It created a conversation and relationship between the two performers which was unique in this Programme. In the introduction video, Muchochoma said he wanted the audience to feel the discomfort of the piece, the dissonance between who we are and who we have to be to fit in and I think “Mascara” absolutely got that point to the audience.
Heart Drive – Ballet BC. Choreographed by Imre van Opstal and Marne can Opstal.
The last piece of the Programme is “Heart Drive”, a futuristic delve into the dark side of human desire. With the ensemble clad in latex, the lasers surrounding the playing space, and the sensuality of the choreography, “Heart Drive” certainly got our hearts pounding!
The ensemble is delightfully androgynous with all of the dancers in matching costumes and their hair all slicked back; it added a fascinating element to the performance. Their synchronicity was unparalleled; at the beginning, they moved so entirely together and had the audience so rapt with attention that all you could hear was the movement of their costumes. This incredible piece is performed by Emanuel Dostine, Michael Garcia, Orlando Harbutt, Kiana Jung, Sarah Pippin, Vivian Ruiz, Rae Srivastava, and Sydney Tormey. I was not shocked when the audience jumped to their feet as the curtain closed; it was a stellar ending to such an incredible Porgramme.
Heartbeats will be on again tonight, October 5, and the second Programme entitled Unbowed will premiere on October 6. Tickets for Fall for Dance North are only $15! The same price they were nine years ago! Grab the family and take them out for a night of dance and live performance! For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.ffdnorth.com
Heart Drive by Marne & Imre Van Opstal. Artists of Ballet BC. Photo by Michael Slobodian.
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