Student matinees

Friday October 19, 2012, 1:00pm
Road Trip Created and Performed by Susie Burpee and Linnea Swan (Toronto)                                            2 Dancers                                                                                                                                                                            Enwave Theatre – High Schools Only                                                                                                                           This full-length work is simply about two friends on a road trip.  Susie Burpee and Linnea Swan are physically fierce contemporary dancers who create works with strong emotional resonance.

Friday, November 16, 2012, 1:00pm BILINGUAL TALK-BACK
RUBBERBANDance Group (Montreal) Lecture-Demonstration Gravity of Center                                          5 Dancers                                                                                                                                                                                 Fleck Dance Theatre SURE SELL OUT FAST                                                                                       RUBBERBANDance Group combines the exciting moves of street dance, the speed and lightness and of ballet and the intellectual concepts of contemporary dance.  In Gravity of Center the company expresses current themes about interdependence, conflict and survival to a soundtrack created by DJ Lil’Jaz.

Friday, February 15, 2013, 1:00pm BILINGUAL TALK-BACK
La Otra Orilla (Montreal) New Work                                                                                                                                  1 Dancer, 3 Musicians                                                                                                                                                    Enwave Theatre  – High Schools Only

In this dynamic new work, noted choreographer Myriam Allard performs a stunning combination of the set rhythms of Flamenco merged with an arresting tapestry of video and live music.

Friday, March 1, 2013, 1:00pm
for Wen Wei Dance (Vancouver) New Work                                                                                                                   6 Dancers                                                                                                                                                                               Fleck Dance Theatre – High Schools Only
The full-length work is an exploration of how we wield control and succumb to it, an invisible force that shapes our lives and our relationships. The work is a personal exploration into the realization of one’s true nature by contemporary choreographer Wen Wei Wang.

Friday, April 12, 2013, 1:00pm   BILINGUAL TALK-BACK
Nova Bhattacharya and Louis Laberge-Côté (Toronto) Akshongay                                                                    2 Dancers                                                                                                                                                                                          Enwave Theatre                                                                                                                                                     Akshongay embraces the creators’ commitment to universality through individuality – Bhattacharya was originally trained in Bharatnatyam and Laberge-Côté in contemporary dance. This abstract work will give voice to the powerful, shared artistic vision of this unique duo.

Call Kate Cornell, Education and Outreach Manager at (416) 204 1082 or email education [at] danceworks.ca

In partnership with the Toronto District School Board Arts Department

Testimonials

From the students:

I love DanceWorks Productions!! The work and shows that the company brings to the dance world are truly magnificent. - Sophonie, North Albion Collegiate Institute

When I came to Karen Kain School of the Arts, it was not for dance. In fact, the closest thing I have ever gotten to dance classes was synchronized swimming! Yet, after watching DanceWorks, I felt as if I had been studying dance for centuries. I could put meaning and emotion into my simple hand waves when I danced. DanceWorks probably changed my entire dance style! Some say that an hour or two cannot change your whole life. I beg to differ. -  Sarah, Karen Kain School of the Arts

From the teachers:

“Let me tell you that [RUBBERBANDance Group] was the very best performance I have ever seen at DanceWorks. It was absolutely perfect. I loved how [choreographer Victor Quijada] talked in between numbers and explained different styles to the kids. It made them appreciate and understand their work so much more. I love how it was a mixtures of what they love (urban dance) and what we are trying to expose them to (modern, contemporary, classical & experimental styles) Throughout the show my kids were thanking me for bringing them. We were all on the edge of our seats, it was absolutely fantastic.” – Renee Lefort, North Albion CI

“What a wonderful performance today!!! I don’t think I could have asked for a more appropriate contemporary experience for the group of students that I brought. My male students were amazed…at school all they want to do is hip hop, but after the show they were talking about how much further you can go if you are open to new forms and blending styles. They also thought the music was really cool! I had some very tough, troubled, ESL, behaviour problem students today, and you have no idea how much the performance touched them. I was worried about thier conduct in the theatre, but they were a wonderful group and I was proud that they got so much out of the show. As a teacher I appreciated Victor [Quijada]‘s caring introduction of each piece. So much great teaching there in such a casual, cool way.” – Cathy Chant, Sir John A. MacDonald CI

“DanceWorks has proven to be an invaluable resource for my own work in the classroom on a number of levels. Practically speaking, it has given me a level of dance literacy at a time when I have assumed the role of dance teacher through the revised curriculum. As a teacher in an integrated arts environment, my collaboration with DanceWorks has furnished me with the confidence to take artistic risks in the classroom and opened up new possibilities for differentiated instruction. An example of this is my current math unit in patterning where I am using dance to illustrate the Fibonacci sequence. For my students, the interaction with the artists has given them an important window to the professional world, where hopefully a few of them have seen their own reflection.” – Carl Gambacort, Karen Kain School of the Arts

From the artists:

Thank you for all your work in making the matinee so enjoyable for us. What a great group of students. Thanks again, all the best for the season. - Kate Franklin, Co-Founder, firstthingsfirst productions

[The student matinee] was a pleasure for me too! I am glad I could possibly inspire a future generation of artists. Thank you! –  Noam Gagnon, Co-Founder, Holy Body Tattoo

Participating Schools and Community Groups:

A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, Abbey Park High School, Appleby College, Ballet Creole Professional Training Program, B.E.N. School-House, Bound to Create Theatre, Cawthra Park Secondary School, Claude Watson School for the Arts, Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute, Earl Haig Secondary School, Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, Esmeralda Enrique Academy of Spanish Dance, Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School, Faywood Arts Based Curriculum, John Fraser Secondary School, Karen Kain School for the Arts, Lester B Pearson Collegiate Institute, Loretto College Catholic Secondary School, Main Street Dance, Maplewood High School, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, Meadowvale Secondary School, Nomanzland, Nrtyakala – The Canadian Academy of Indian Dance, Newtonbrook Secondary School, North Albion Collegiate Institute, Northern Secondary School, Oakwood Collegiate Institute, Oasis Alternative School, O’Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Paprika Festival, Project Humanity, Ryerson University Theatre Department, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Sir John A. MacDonald Collegiate Institute, Sir Sandford Fleming Academy, St. Jean de Brebeuf Secondary School, Streetsville Secondary School, The Amy Project, Thistledown Collegiate Institute, Toronto District School Board Dance Co-op Program, Toronto District School Board Dance Professional Learning Community, Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, Westview Centennial Secondary School, White Oaks Secondary School, York University Dance Department, Withrow Park Public School