Some big-time dance in Burlington
BURLINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE KICKS OFF AN AMBITIOUS SEASON
GET OUT OF TOWN!
That’s what you’ve got to do if you want to see big time dance.
Time was Hamilton Place (First Ontario Concert Hall) played host to all the big companies, from the Bolshoi to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Well, times have changed.
So, thank goodness for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, where large, and not so large companies come to keep dance alive in our area.
“Dance provides a unique point of access for both inclusivity, being a non-verbal performing arts form-as well as cultural diversity, as almost every culture has its own vibrant style of dance,” says Tammy Fox, Executive Director of BPAC. “Our dance audiences have continued to grow over the past 7 seasons, with our 17/18 dance offerings the most wellattended to date.”
Happily, there are some terrific companies heading to BPAC this season. With the Centre’s enthusiasm for risk-taking let’s hope this continues for years to come.
THINGS KICK OFF, literally, with the popular dance company MOMIX. This American troupe has a huge following and is famous for its inventive and clever dance performances. Founded by Moses Pendleton this very physical troupe has danced all over the world for 35 years.
They present a sensory experience combining movement and illusion, beauty and feral passion. This time they bring us “Opus Cactus” a series of 18 vignettes about desert habitats of the American Southwest. It’s a visual smorgasbord of images.
MOMIX is for people who love dance. And it’s for people who remember this dazzling company from twenty years ago and want to reconnect. Come and fall in love all over again, or come and be converted to what many people know is a great visual experience.
Sunday October 14 at 7 p.m. in the Main Theatre. $79 for adults-$74 for BPAC Members and $35 for Youth.
DREAMWALKER DANCE CO. presents “Memory Is the History of Forgetting.” Even for hardcore dance fans this is something different. Dance artist Andrea Nann and singer-songwriter Andy Maize team up for solo performances that create a shared history. Nann dances “A Crazy Kind of Hope” a story-telling solo piece. Following this Maize takes over, accompanied by a trio of musicians, to perform “The Future’s Not What It Used To Be.” The show closes with local community members trooping on stage to present a vocal/ movement piece that is infectious and fun.
Friday October 26 at 7.30 p.m. in the Community Studio Theatre. $39. Members $34
“The Nutcracker” is back in a glorious Russian production, this time featuring the Odessa Ballet Company. With its traditional Marius Petipa choreography, this handsome Christmas Ballet offers the beautiful “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Snow Scene” and “Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux”, all presented with the flourish of this attractive company. A treat for the whole family “The Nutcracker” is North America’s favourite ballet. Seeing it in a version that preserves all the classical traditions of Russian Ballet is not to be missed.
Fri. Dec. 7 at 7.30 and Sat. Dec 8 at 2 p.m. and 7.30 pm. Adults $69.50 Members $64.50 and Youth $35.00
“The Sleeping Beauty” The Odessa Ballet returns with Petipa’s exquisite evocation of “The Sleeping Beauty.” This is the stunning ballet that celebrates technical brilliance and romantic ardour. It is in fact the essence of classical ballet. It includes “The Sleeping Beauty Waltz,” “Bluebird Pas de Deux,” “The Rose Adage,” and “The Sleeping Beauty Grand Pas
de Deux.” Set against a touching love-story, first told by the Brothers Grimm, this is the most famous ballet of the classical repertoire. It’s danced in Burlington by one of Russia’s famed ballet companies; one that has thrilled dance fans for years. This one is for the whole family.
Fri. Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.. Main Theatre Adults $69.50 Members $64.50 Youth $35
Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba is back this season with “Made In Cuba.” This handsome company is a little bit Broadway, a little bit contemporary, a little bit salsa- and a whole lot hot. Expect sleek Latin bodies. Expect dance that ignites the senses. Expect a fusion of exotic dance forms, from Cuban traditional to Contemporary America.
This world class company is a Cuban treat and has been celebrated all over the globe. Seventeen dancers and eight musicians bring to Burlington a sultry celebration of warm, pulsating nights. The dance here is genuine and heartfelt. It will heat up a cold winter night and leave you breathless with its electric energy. You’ll want to board the next plane for Havana after an evening with Lizt Alfonso. The best thing is your spirits will soar without your feet having to leave the ground. It’s like a trip to Havana without leaving home.
Thurs. Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. Main Theatre $59 Members $54
Murphy’s Celtic Legacy- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with this exciting Irish Dance Show. Drawn from Irish folklore this is a story of Kings and Queens, rebels and magic, and epic battles between good and evil. This is the story of the Murphy Clan who flee tyrants of their native Ireland in search of a better future. Expect dancers and musicians with Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Woman footwork. Some of the dancers in this fast-paced show are from these very companies. This is the latest incarnation of Irish entertainment. Expect the spectacular.
Tues. Mar. 5 at 8 p.m. Main Theatre $59 Members $54
Canadian Contemporary Dance
Theater presents “Teasing Gravity.” This Toronto-based dance company brings everything that is explosive and revolutionary about modern contemporary dance. With this program, devised by fast-rising North American choreographers, this feral Canadian dance troupe burns a patch off the stage. Talk about battering borders. Expect the unexpected. This is for people who want to see the future of dance as it challenges the movement ethos of today.
Fri Apr. 5 at 7 p.m. Main Theatre $39 Members $34 Youth $25
Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance This is the annual Burlington Footnotes production that celebrates performers from forty to forever. These folks move it, shake it, stir it all around and leave you breathless with their relentless energy. Talk about holding onto youth, these performers have a corner on the market. They’ll tire you out with their energy before the evening is through. (Tues. Jun 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Wed. Jun 19 at 2 p.m. Main Theatre Adults $31.50 Child $16.50)
The dance here is genuine and heartfelt. It will heat up a cold winter night and leave you breathless with its electric energy. You’ll want to board the next plane for Havana ...