Dance Culture at Ground Level...

My Traces contemporary dance show review was published in Guerilla Magazine's G-Gallery. Check it out if you want to learn more about The School of Dance's students, choreographers and the Ottawa scene in general. Better yet, try attending the next student performance. They are usually great shows - and by that I mean quality dances and performances - for a reasonable price.

ODD: The Dance Compulsion

If you thought contemporary and modern dance in Ottawa was dead, think again. Ottawa Dance Directive has stepped out of the ashes of Le Groupe Danse Lab as a beacon of hope. Portrait of a dancing phoenix.

Ottawa Dance Directive (ODD) is a company of four Ottawa based contemporary choreographers and performers. Sylvie Desrosiers, Natasha Bakht, Yvonne Coutts and Lana Morton have combined their efforts to keep the flame of modern and contemporary dance thriving in the capital.

What sparked this movement was the dilution of Le Groupe Danse Lab in 2009. What contributes to making ODD a fantastic initiative is a bouquet of passion, determination, pride, attachment and living memory.

When Le Groupe closed its doors, they left a significant hole in the professional dance scene. Suddenly, the city had no resident dance company anymore, and with it, died the hopes of finding relatively stable employment for our dance students. Dancers could no longer look forward to working with Peter Boneham in the wonderfully renovated studio at Arts Court. There wouldn’t be an opportunity to invite guest choreographers to share their experiences and there would be no more haven for contemporary dance. “I never would have come to Ottawa for my dance career if it hadn’t been for Le Groupe. I believe my colleagues feel the same way. This was our second home.” explains Lana Morton. These pioneer choreographers decided that something needed be done. “We weren’t going to let brilliant Ottawa dancers leave for lack of a better career option” says Yvonne Coutts, the conviction coming through. “In addition, we weren’t going to let this perfectly suited space go to another art form when it was specifically conceived for dancing” reasons Coutts.

Ottawa Dance Directive thus fulfils a need, but it’s more than that. It’s the evolving collaboration of four different dancers who have chosen to share a space, a passion, a goal and a sense of responsibility towards the community and the company that have given them so much already. Often times, they choose to work on each other’s projects but Coutts insists they remain independent artists. “We work together because we enjoy it  but there’s no hierarchy, we all foster creative ideas of our own” says Coutts.

Courtesy of The School of Dance (Ottawa)

ODD has created Series Dance 10, which is thematic and brings guest choreographers to present their work. The collective has also founded BODYSpeak, which is a festival that runs parallel to Canada Dance Festival. The four women hope to recreate a hub of dance at Arts Court. Moreover, they hope to inspire local dance students. In fact, part of their strength is the quality of their relationship with The School of Dance, Canterburry High school and École secondaire De La Salle. Coutts believes that the way to achieve a strong dance community is through sustaining the next generations. “We want to provide a general career mentoring for dance’s youth.”

While this initiative is a crucial one for the survival and continued blossoming of modern and contemporary scene in Ottawa, the road is a bumpy one. ODD faces financial hiccups, as would any not-for-profit organization. “What we’re lacking is operating funds. We are relying heavily on grants for our projects however; we need a certain amount of those under our belt before qualifying for operation funds. In the mean time, it’s a balancing act to keep the collective running smoothly” admits Coutts.

When there is a will, there is a way. “We’ve managed so far. Thankfully, we have had the support of Ontario Arts Council, the City of Ottawa and of Arts Court. Because we believed in this, so did they” says Morton.

Stay tuned for next season’s Series Dance 10 programming this winter at Arts Court.

Flashy Fun!

This girl just wants to have fun...flashy fun, that is!

I've been itching to use my new set of flash filters. My friend Isabelle (who's been learning about photography on her own, through books, the Internet, trial and error...and her film producer/photographer/all-around-artist significant other) had picked my name out of the Secret Santa hat.

Aside from being an amazing gift-giver and knowing exactly how to surprise me with just the right thing (an ovo-lacto vegetarian cookbook she put together!), she shares a passion for photography and therefore, an interest in equipment.

LEE Flash Filters Designer Edition

Isabelle is my environmentally conscious artsy friend and she's always aware of being green and frugal. Gotta love her for her brilliant project ideas. She knew I could use tools to continue learning...but what could she afford?

My friend surprised me with the Designer Edition of LEE Filters. Naturally, I need to use them on my pop-up flash but there are sure to be hours of fun. They'll change the hue of my photos, which will ad a dash of mystery and a small challenge. Once I've found the effect(s) I prefer, I can actually go and purchase a larger filter, as the Designer Edition has the Numeric listing. Truly, a brilliant gift idea for the amateur or beginner photographer. I'm only starting to use flash... available light, fill flash, flash with motion, only flash, flash as sole source of light... Harry Nowell has a great blog post about how to break down flash use.

I know, I'm really excited about trying them out.

And so, I lied a little bit about only spending mellow time at home over the holidays... Sure, there will be plenty of days on the couch, soaking up Ray Bradbury tales and reading theories of Simon Brault's No Culture, No Future. Sure, I'll cook a veggie frittata. But Caleb (my Nikon D3000) will be close by, just winking at me, waiting to get into mischief and snap a few moments in time.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

It's that time of year again!

Madness in shopping malls, chaos on the roads, uber slow people in parking lots eyes peeled for a spot... Have I mentioned I disliked Christmas shopping?

It's that time... when people impose holiday parties, potlucks and gift exchanges. Whether "White Elephant" or "Secret Santa" I have never been a big fan of gift exchanges. Scratch that. I think they're wonderful, when they save you from extra expenses and added stress. I love how eco-friendly and sustainable they can be... when they are not of a zillion obligated party gifts.

Yes, I get it, the joy of giving... What if there's nothing left to give? What if there's no joy when you tell me I must give? I don't want to rant, but the spirit of Christmas is not about gifts, I'm sorry, but it's about love for human kind. Where does it say: "Thou shall love thy neighbor and buy him gifts at every office party" ?

I would not brag or complain about some unfortunate events that occured in my life in 2010 but they have served many a purpose. A lot of what seemed like loss or bad luck has actually had the effect of pruning; I'm getting back to basics. I'm grateful for that, now more than then, but hey, better late than never!

I've discovered my artistic potential, I've reconnected with the child in me and I've rekindled my relationship with Mother Earth - or so, I try. Limitations force us to be creative, especially when they are financial ones while simplicity has a way of easing stress and bringing out childlike spontaneity. Frugality was always a value I was familiar with, but lately, it's helped me realize how we over-consume, over-spend and how ultimately, we're damaging our planet and our financial and psychological well-being.

I'd like to thank my great group of friends for making this year's gift exchange an eco-friendly/homemade affair. I was able to put my talents to good use and to benefit from one of my friend's thoughtfulness and creativity. I received a homemade vegetarian cookbook to suit my new dietery choice (going on 4 months!) and a set of flash filters to have some photo fun. I was very excited with both gifts, but I was specially touched by how she took time to piece together all her favourite recipes to ease my transition into this lifestyle.

Thank you to Swing Dynamite, for putting together a clothing exchange and allowing the rest of the donations to be brought to charity.

Lastly, thanks for my photo teachers for encouraging me in pursuing my new hobby which is quickly growing into a passion. Your passion is evident and I'm so happy that you are sharing it with me. Harry, your workshops and continued support have been immensely helpful and generated many "Ah-ha!" moments. Gilda, your eagerness to help, your unique style and your eye for aesthetics have been inspiring.

This Christmas, I'll be enjoying down time with family, friends, some R&R in pijamas with novels and some much needed grass roots time in the kitchen with my new cookbook!

Musical Crush: Greg Laswell

Greg Laswell singing "Comes & goes"

Even though I'd heard his songs quite a few times and my friends raved about him, I fell in love with Greg Laswell last Friday, at Zaphod's. He doesn't know it, of course, but that is beside the point.

Quietly sitting at a table, answering blackberry messages, he seemed pensive. In the background, a young woman's mermaid voice was already reaching the back of the bar, enticing the crowd. Was he preparing for the show, getting in the right mind set? Or was he wondering if he should have a pint? He doesn't look like the type who needs to loosen up. Calm and collected, he was understated. That is, until he took the stage. His poker face humor seemed to charm the crowd. 

Greg Laswell was opening for Jeremy Fisher, but frankly, I was there to see what his live performance was like. Usually, I'll fall for a band or artist when I feel their presence on stage. Greg's lyrics are profound and his melodies get under your skin and into your head, permanently. Yet, I needed some kind of confirmation that this indie artist was a cut above many I've heard and seen before. You know, back in the days I use to be an emerging artist columnist... in the good old days when I was paid to attend shows and chat it up with bands. But I digress! That said, his connection to the crowd was a natural one; like a friend meeting up with old time buddies.

Greg Laswell

His set was too short, it left most of us wanting more. Don't get me wrong, Jeremy Fisher was great and I'm quite pleased with this discovery as well. It was well worth the ticket. Greg played a few of his classics, such as Comes and goes. In the tradition of live shows, he graced us with covers: among these, his humorous indie cover of Lauper's Girls just wanna have fun. 

I had no choice but to give in to the impulse. Seduced by the artistry of his album, his relaxed unpretentious performance and his somewhat reserved demeanor, the mystery was consuming me: I had to buy  my own copy of Three flights from alto nido.

A wise choice of a stocking stuffer or gift exchange purchase.
Happy Listening to all!

The Flash Diffuser Saga Turned Sour

A piece of photo equipment valued at $40, ended up costing me $100.  My teacher did say photography tends to get expensive quickly… and in the oddest ways!

I was so excited about finally getting my flash diffuser and that joy was momentarily overshadowed.You see, when you go to Galaxy Photos on Bank Street, their parking is at the back of the building, not on the side. Having been bombarded by signs that all seem contradictory and being a customer of Galaxy, I figured, I’ll be here a minute and I’ll confirm whether or not this is the right spot for me to park. Having been told that the landlord was, (well, there are no flattering terms for him, so I’ll refrain)… I ran (yes, ran) out to move my car. Naturally, the person in question had already ticketed my car.

You read that right. Ticketed. Not “left a warning”, not “called the towing company”… Ticketed. Apparently, the City of Ottawa was so fed up dealing with this fella’s complaints, they awarded him his own ticketing book. I understand that it must be frustrating for downtown landlords to have to put signs up, give out warnings and call towing companies, but it’s important to remember that they are not city officials or officers of the law. Why are they allowed to take the law into their own hands? We don't even have that level of rights in civil disagreements... So who the heck gave this angry person the right to wear a vigilante badge and hand out tickets like they were candy canes? Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Grinch!

To clarify: I saw signs that said “Private Property”, “Ticketed zone”, “For customers only”. My reasoning: I was a customer, I did my due diligence and went to confirm who’s customer I needed to be or if I needed to move… and bam, verifying just cost me $55 and an unpleasant encounter with an angry person.

For those of you considering shopping at Galaxy, and you should both their prices and their service are excellent, note that Galaxy parking is at the BACK of the building, via Catherine street, not next to them. There's a very unhappy Grinch operating to crush the holiday (and photog) spirit at 205 Catherine (it's a parking off Bank). BEWARE!

Valuable lessons of the day:

5-Photography is an expensive hobby… always over-budget, sometimes it may surprise you.

4-If you complain enough, the authorities will do what they can to get rid of you. Sad fact.

3-Being a car owner sucks. Gas, Traffic, Bad tunes, Parking downtown, Tickets. I want to ride the tube!

2-If the parking signs are confusing, pack it up and move…

1-The miserable people of this world are probably in worse shape than I am. Letting it go is my best bet. Namaste.

Tribute to a War Photographer

It's always a wonder to me why war photographers do what they do. I suppose someone has to document the atrocities and the violence that humans perpetrate. Someone has to tell the soldier's story, so he or she, is not alone on the battlefield. Someone needs to know what was put on the line for our mother lands and in the name of peace... 


I just don't think I could do it. 


My visit to the World Press Photo Exhibit this summer confirmed my hunch: I don't have the stomach for the gore, I don't have the nerves for the pressure and I don't have the strenght to stand by and watch because, deep inside, I would know that immediate interference would not make a difference, but the image circulating across the world might. Maybe, just maybe, we'll snap out of all this chaos... "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one" (Lennon)

Cyberpresse and The New York Times share this photographer's last war shots. From my understanding, he is injured but alive and recovering. However, the loss of a photographer's legs definitely changes the conditions under which he or she practices their profession. As a tribute to this brave man, Joao Silva, here is the link to his photos.