"We're so pleased with the scope of works available in the inaugural season of NextSteps, says Jeanne Holmes, Harbourfront Centre Dance Programmer. The dance presentations coming to our stages mirror the diverse cultural landscape of our city as well as the enormous range of contemporary creators who call Toronto home. Truly globally-inspired dance by Canada's very best."
In the early 1970s contemporary dance was one of the first art forms to utilize the waterfront property as it began its transformation into Harbourfront Centre. Over the past three decades Harbourfront Centre has been a primary supporter of Canadian dance performance, presenting seminal work by such noted groups as Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Menaka Thakkar Dance Company, Ballet British Columbia, Dancemakers, O Vertigo, Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, Toronto Dance Theatre, The Holy Body Tattoo and Danny Grossman Dance Company to name just a few. NextSteps addresses the new ecology of contemporary dance in the Greater Toronto Area.
The 2006-2007 Season Lineup of Participating Dance Companies:
Ticket prices vary. Check website for pricing and package details– www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps
All times 8 p.m. ET unless otherwise indicated
Package purchase and discount specials are available
Tickets go on sale to general public September 8, 2006
September 14–16, 2006 - Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Newton Moraes Dance Theatre
In Memories of my Brazil, Moraes returns to his roots with an homage to the power and beauty of Brazil. In this show, the company will perform Xavantes, Batuque and Faces of Glass three of the most poetic and successful works created by Moraes, guided by the heat and passion that represents the heart of Moraes homeland. www.newtonmoraesdance.com
September 22–October 1, 2006 - Premiere Dance Theatre & Harbourfront Centre Theatre
8th KalaNidhi International Dance Festival and Conference
Sudha Khandwani, Artistic Director
Experience the largest festival of its kind outside of South Asia. Featuring over 100 dancers from Canada, India, Malaysia, South Africa, U.K., and the U.S. performing traditional and contemporary Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Chhau classical dance styles. Plus fusion pieces that combine Bharatanatyam with Ballet, Odissi Modern, and Zulu! www.kalanidhifinearts.org
October 19–21, 2006 - Harbourfront Centre Theatre
DanceWorks - DW160 blackandblue projects
blackandblue dance projects (Toronto)
Choreographer/dancer Sasha Ivanochko presents a delicate new trio which explores the theory that heaven is an idea in which we take refuge when existence becomes unbearable. Collaborators include Toronto Dance Theatre star Louis Laberge-Côté, up-and-comer Matthew Waldie, composer Linda C. Smith and lighting designer Geoff Bouckley.
October 26–28, 2006 - Harbourfront Centre Theatre
DanceWorks - DW161 Nova Bhattacharya/Jenn Goodwin
Two stunning performers combine their explosive energies in a programme that includes a world premiere duet created by Dana Gingras (Vancouver), Goodwin's The Falling and Toronto premieres from Tokyo's Mika Kurosawa and Montreal's José Navas with Calm Abiding, a powerful and potent new solo created for Bhattacharya. Illuminated by the visionary Marc Parent, this electrifying programme redefines concepts of contemporary dance.
October 31–November 4, 2006 - Premiere Dance Theatre
Toronto Dance Theatre
Toronto Dance Theatre, under the inspired direction of choreographer Christopher House, is one of Canada’s leading dance companies. Internationally recognized for the innovative scope of its productions and the formidable prowess of its dancers, TDT continues to surprise and delight its growing audiences. www.tdt.org
Timecode Break: The Toronto premiere of Timecode Break combines razor sharp live dancing with mesmerizing video images by filmmaker Nico Stagias to create a deeply affecting world of movement. Don’t miss this innovative feast for the senses - judge for yourself whether it is —
November 9–11, 2006 – Premiere Dance Theatre
Janak Khendry Dance Company
Chandrakauns, Dream of a Drunken God and Gayatri
Janak Khendry Dance Company is an internationally renowned professional Indo-Canadian dance company. This season, Janak Khendry and his company will present the critically-acclaimed Gayatri, along with two new works with their creative focus on establishing inter-cultural understanding. www.jkdanceco.org
November 16–18, 2006 and 19th at 3pm - Premiere Dance Theatre
Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Esencia Flamenca defines the “essence of flamenco” and pays homage to a time and movement that is integral to Spanish history. The end of romanticism in the 19th century brought a new-found respect for the culture of Andalucía and was echoed in Spanish classical music of the era. It is this blend of sensibilities that acclaimed choreographer Esmeralda Enrique and her company bring to the stage. www.flamencos.net
November 23–25, 2006 - Premiere Dance Theatre
SooRyu 2006 Dance Festival
The SooRyu Dance Festival showcases exceptional Canadian dance that celebrates the country’s diverse roots. This year, around the theme of Historic Story, performances exemplify the creative fusion of traditional forms and cultural inspiration with contemporary dance.
Featuring over fifteen professional dance groups and up to ninety dancers from both Canadian and international backgrounds, the festival is now in it’s fifth year and is under the creative direction of the Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada.
Some of the confirmed artists for this year’s event include: Little Pear Garden (Chinese Opera), Sampradaya Dance (India/Canada), Sensui Kozakura (Japan), the Chinese Dance Academy, the Mi Young Kim Dance Company (Korea/Canada), Ballet Espressivo, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (First Nations).
For up to date festival info, please visit www.koreandance.net.
* A DanceWorks Co-Works Series event
November 25, 2006 - 8pm –26, 2pm - Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Susan Lee & Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan
A presentation of new works for dance and music conceived by choreographer Susan Lee and composer Mark Duggan. The evening unites the musicians of Toronto’s Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan with a superb ensemble of dancers performing Lee’s fluid and sculptural choreography to create a world of evocative acoustic and electronic soundscapes. www.evergreenclubgamelan.ca
November 29–December 3, 2006 - Premiere Dance Theatre
Arabesque Dance Company
November 29–December 3, 2006, 8 pm
December 2–3, 2006, 2 pm
Arabesque Dance Company presents an exotic array of rarely seen dances all accompanied by live traditional acoustic music. From the mesmerizing Sufi Whirlers to the Port Said fishermen of the Suez Canal, from the veiled women of Saudi Arabia to the breathtaking belly dancers of Cairo…Asala will leave you filled with a sense of wonder and intense emotion. www.arabesquedance.ca
December 7–9, 2006 - Harbourfront Centre Theatre
DanceWorks - DW162 The Chimera Project
Keep All Sharp Objects Out of My Way
Choreographer, Malgorzata Nowacka tackles themes of personal transformation in a full-length sextet. Nowacka’s signature intricate partnering and bold, energetic movements portray speed, edge, and unpredictability, giving the work a strong youth appeal.
December 8–10, 2006 - Premiere Dance Theatre
Ballet Creole – Glorious Soulful Messiah
December 8–9, 2006, 8 pm
December 10, 2006, 3 pm
Celebrate the festive season with an intriguing, uplifting performance with the driving dance moves of the Ballet Creole dancers accompanied by the wondrous sounds of Handel’s Messiah sung by the spine-tingling voices of Aretha Franklin, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Patti Austin, Take 6, Gladys Knight and more…
COMING IN 2007:
January 13–14, 2007 - Premiere Dance Theatre
Dance Ontario's Dance Weekend '07 in association with Harbourfront Centre
January 18–20, 2007 - Premiere Dance Theatre
dance Immersion
International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference
Widening the Sphere
Taking an Expansive View of Our Community
www.danceimmersion.ca
CanAsian Dance Festival
February 22–24, 2007
COBA (Collective of Black Artists)
March 2–4, 2007
Danny Grossman Dance Company
March 7–10, 2007
Premiere Dance Theatre
DanceWorks - DW163
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre/Santee Smith & Rubberbandance Group
March 8–10, 2007
Toronto Dance Theatre
New Work
March 27–31, 2007
Ballet Creole
Contemporary Voices
April 12–14, 2007
DanceWorks - DW165
Fujiwara Dance Inventions & 10 Gates Dancing Inc.
April 26–28, 2007
Dancemakers
May 1–5, 2007
Andrea Nann Dreamwalker Dance Company
May 4–5, 2007
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Media Contact: Harbourfront Centre;Bill Bobek
wbobek@harbourfrontcentre.com
416-973-4428