Because we know we can dance

Jacques Poulin Denis, Canada Dance Festival website

There is this unfortunate stigma that with summer comes a slump in the dance world. True, major programming is at its off season in order to prepare the next big productions. However, it's a fabulous time for dance labs, summer camps, festivals and social dancing.

This week...


TOUT DANSE

Contemporary Dance by DORSALE danse
May 19 and 20, 2011
Salle Jean-Depréz

Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students
Tickets may also be obtained by calling 819-243-8000.

A local dance project to encourage.
Excerpt from the press release:

City of Gatineau, in collaboration with DORSALE danse, presents an evening of contemporary dance entitled Tout Danse in which choreographers Peggy Baker, Lana Morton, Julie Anne Ryan and Sylvie Desrosiers invite audiences to follow the golden thread of their artistic vision on a journey through the realm of creative inspiration. (...)

These four choreographers, from Toronto, Ottawa and Gatineau respectively, will present three new dance creations back to back, looking at dance from three individual viewpoints.

Peggy Baker: Three Story House For Peggy Baker, who enjoys an international reputation as one of the most influential performers in contemporary dance of her generation, the spaces we inhabit reflect and shape who we are. She holds up a lens that allows us to observe objects in their miniaturized forms, destabilizing our perspective and leading us to greater self-awareness. (...)

The dramatic atmosphere created by these three poetic works is sure to provide audiences with a compelling and uplifting experience of what it means to be human.

Lana Morton and Sylvie Desrosiers are Ottawa based choreographers who are also behind the Ottawa Dance Directive (ODD) collective currently residing in Arts Court.

LALALA HUMAN STEPS



Lalala Human Steps, New Work, Photo from NAC website

I have been a fan of Edouard Lock's work for years, I have seen Amelia on dvd many a times, but now, always hoping I would get to see one of his choreographies live.  That dream will come true this week; Lalala Human Steps' New Work is performing (today and tomorrow) at the National Arts Centre (NAC) and I purchased a ticket for myself. I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to treat myself this year, but this is quite a nice birthday present, I must say.



In June...



Helen Husak, Canada Dance Festival website

CANADA DANCE FESTIVAL:

June 15-18, 2011

Ottawa hosts a contemporary dance festival annually. The Festival is a collaboration betweent the organizing committee and the National Arts Centre (NAC). The event showcases canadian choreographers from coast to coast who are often emerging artists and even, rising stars of the dance world. This year, the Canada Dance Festival brings you Jacques Poulin Denis, Helen Husak, KasheDance, Lara Kramer, 605 Collective, Bboyizm.

 All summer long!



Acrobatic Lindy Hop

Swing Dynamite & Ottawa Swing Dance Society

These two swing dancing groups have at least one common goal: to make you dance! Swing Dynamite, as I've mentionned many times before, is "Ottawa's Swing Dancing School" and specializes in teaching all of the swing dance styles, and does so, with instructors that are both FUN as well as competent, accomplished dancers.

Swing Dynamite hosts social dances with two lounges (traditional lindy hop and west coast swing) every saturday. They are also behind Petit Chicago Swing, every first Tuesday of the month.

Ottawa Swing Dance Society (OSDS) has been around for a little more than a decade to bring swing dancing to the capital. As a not-for-profit, they manage to organize social dances for all ages and even set-up some pretty cool workshops. OSDS hosts social dances every friday.

Salsa on Friday Nights with Dancestudios.ca
Join us for Friday Night Salsa!!

Every Friday, 9 pm-1 am
151 Chapel st - parking lot entrance
FREE PARKING
Free 30 min beginner Salsa class at 8:30-9:00 pmCover $4, Dance Studios students only $2
http://www.dancestudios.ca/