{"id":105480,"date":"2024-06-27T12:04:13","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T16:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=105480"},"modified":"2024-06-27T14:00:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:00:01","slug":"preview-curator-mayumi-lashbrook-talks-porch-view-dances-july-17-21-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/06\/27\/preview-curator-mayumi-lashbrook-talks-porch-view-dances-july-17-21-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Curator Mayumi Lashbrook Talks About Porch View Dances, July 17 To 21 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_105482\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105482\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-105482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-42.jpg\" alt=\"Scene from Porch View Dances 2023 (Photo: SV Photography)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-42.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-42-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-42-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-42-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-105482\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scenes from Porch View Dances 2023 (Photo: SV Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Kaeja d\u2019Dance\u2019s beloved Porch View Dances will return to Toronto\u2019s Seaton Village for a 13th season from July 17 to 21, 2024. Porch View Dances presents exactly that \u2013 dances that are performed on a series of porches through the historic neighbourhood.<\/p>\n<p>Based on a concept by <strong>Karen Kaeja<\/strong>, and developed by Karen and <strong>Allen Kaeja<\/strong>, \u2018real people dances in real spaces\u2019 was launched in 2012. While the individual works are created by choreographers and professional dancers, the performances engage with the families in each home, non-professionals who may never have danced before.<\/p>\n<p>Audiences travel through the neighbourhood as the performances take place from porch to porch and front lawn. The journey ends at a local park, where everyone is invited to dance. Toronto dancemakers, including Sid Ryan Eilers, Fer Camacho, and Zita Nyarady, have created new works for this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n<p>The theme for this year\u2019s PVD is play, and we spoke with curator <strong>Mayumi Lashbrook<\/strong> about putting the unique show together.<\/p>\n<p>A highlight reel from Porch View Dances 2023:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/99_et_bGdWk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Mayumi Lashbrook, curator: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>Japanese Canadian dancer and choreographer Mayumi Lashbrook is focused on creating innovative works that look to expose and rectify systems of oppression via connections and commonality.<\/p>\n<p>What does she look for in putting together the 60-minute event?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI looked for a couple of different thing,\u201d Mayumi says, \u201cI was really interested in a through-line, a theme, what brings these pieces together.\u201d Today\u2019s corrosive social climate played a role in determining the theme. \u201cWhat I saw very quickly in the pieces that were proposed was a sense of joy and play,\u201d she explains. \u201cThat sense of play felt very relevant today.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Theme: Play<\/h3>\n<p>The choreographers involved also had prior experience creating dance works for non-dancers to perform. \u201cThey were interested in engaging with people in the joy of dance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The works they create reach out to the audience, even as they tell the stories of the people who live the houses. Site specific works invite the community to participate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey were looking beyond, how do I use the stage?\u201d Mayumi says. It goes to how the bodies move through each unique space.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTheme was a huge one for me,\u201d she explains \u201cThe key word for me was play.\u201d The idea came out of a review of the proposals, a recurring theme that she noticed.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a kind of aftermath of the isolation of the pandemic, and learning to re-engage with each other. It\u2019s a playful way of finding common ground.<\/p>\n<p>The neighbourhood itself becomes part of the process as well as the performances as she began to make connections with the homeowners and other neighbours along the streets of the area. \u201cIt\u2019s a great neighbourhood,\u201d Mayumi says. \u201cPart of that is the architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_105483\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-105483\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-105483\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Porch-View-Dances-2023.-Photo-by-SV-Photography..jpg\" alt=\"Scene from Porch View Dances 2023 (Photo: SV Photography)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Porch-View-Dances-2023.-Photo-by-SV-Photography..jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Porch-View-Dances-2023.-Photo-by-SV-Photography.-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Porch-View-Dances-2023.-Photo-by-SV-Photography.-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Porch-View-Dances-2023.-Photo-by-SV-Photography.-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-105483\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scene from Porch View Dances 2023 (Photo: SV Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>The Performances<\/h3>\n<p>Dancemaker <strong>Esie Mensah<\/strong> has choreographed the short vignettes that lead the audience from one porch to another. Her work, dancing with <strong>Rose-Mary Harbans<\/strong>, draws on the idea of sharing knowledge, and intergenerational connections.<\/p>\n<p>Host <strong>Kunji Ikeda<\/strong> will lead the group from space to space. \u201cHe&#8217;s such an entertainer,\u201d Mayumi says. \u201cHe will delight audiences no matter what.\u201d His character, as she describes it, is a hard-edged personality at the start of the show, but as he begins to see the connections throughout the neighbourhood, he softens, and realizes it\u2019s a place worth saving. It\u2019s a narrative arc that develops as the show progresses.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe start with <strong>Sid Ryan Eilers<\/strong> group.\u201d Eilers has partnered with Canada\u2019s National Ballet School in creating a movement dance class for gender non-conforming\/fluid children. \u201cHe&#8217;s really looking at gender-non-conforming oppression. When people live in oppressed bodies, it&#8217;s very impactful to move freely in them.\u201d Three families come together in a joyous celebration of life and its diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Mexican Canadian artist and recent immigrant <strong>Fer Camacho<\/strong> studied childhood games to create their work. \u201cThey were really interested in the thought of universal play,\u201d Mayumi says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe finish the night with <strong>Zita Nyaraty<\/strong>,\u201d Mayumi explains. Zita\u2019s work blends dance and clown work in a family-friendly performance. As one clown performs, two more \u201cgather data\u201d on the ensuing laughter.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not all to the experience, however. There will be surprises, including a physical installation piece, storytelling and more.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat brings us to the Flock Landing and the final resting place of our festival,\u201d she says. Flock Landing is in Vermont Square Park, in the heart of Seaton Village.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPorch View Dances is such a heartwarming experience that I&#8217;m proud to be part of.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Porch View Dances 2024 starts at 7 p.m. each evening from July 17 to 21; find out more [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaeja.org\/porch-view-dances-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? Need to know the best\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>events<\/u><\/a>\u00a0happening this weekend? Send us a\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:anya@ludwig-van.com?subject=Let's%20chat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><em><u>note<\/u>.<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em><b>#LUDWIGVAN<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n<p class=\"western\"><em>Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em>Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! \u2014 local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid=S3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid%3DS3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1695737525351000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0QTqKRwRJQFGK3KoJYigxX\">HERE<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kaeja d\u2019Dance\u2019s beloved Porch View Dances will return to Toronto\u2019s Seaton Village for a 13th season from July 17 to 21, and we spoke to curator Mayumi Lashbrook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":105482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[40967,20,29,4557,59,63],"tags":[40359,39693,41287,40358,41288,41289],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-42.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-rri","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105480"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105480"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105487,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105480\/revisions\/105487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105480"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=105480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}