{"id":110129,"date":"2024-12-09T14:36:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T19:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=110129"},"modified":"2024-12-09T14:36:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T19:36:54","slug":"preview-canadian-contemporary-dance-theatre-presents-wintersong-dances-sacred-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/12\/09\/preview-canadian-contemporary-dance-theatre-presents-wintersong-dances-sacred-season\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre Presents WINTERSONG\u2014dances for a sacred season"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Against
Against the Dark by choreographer Colin Connor (Photo: David Hou)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre presents WINTERSONG\u2014dances for a sacred season, a celebration of the solstice that\u2019s celebrating its 36th anniversary this year. The seasonal dance performance takes place December 13, 14 and 15.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, as the company points out, it will also be lamenting a much less desirable milestone \u2014 that of being the company\u2019s last time on stage at the Fleck Dance Theatre after some 700 performances at the venue, which will be shuttered in March 2025.<\/p>\n

WINTERSONG\u2014dances for a sacred season includes a world premiere by Justin Rapaport, along with pieces by choreographers Hanna Kiel, Colin Connor, Carol Anderson and Rodney Diverlus.<\/p>\n

\"L:
L: Nowell Sing We by choreographer Carol Anderson (Photo: David Hou); R: A Sonata of Shadows by choreographer Hanna Kiel (Photo: David Hou)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Program<\/h2>\n

Scintilla (World Premiere) \u2014 Choreography by Justin Rapaport<\/h3>\n

Music by Flawed Mangoes, Lloyd Vaan, Alvedon and Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by Paavali Jumppanen<\/em><\/p>\n

Choreographer Justin Rapaport describes his inspiration in a statement. \u201cWinter solstice, endless night\u2026 so easy to lose oneself in that darkness. But within such obscurity, the shimmering moon still rises to penetrate that void, the dormant beacon we all share within, waiting to be reawakened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justin is a freelance dance artist. Since graduating from the Juilliard School, he\u2019s worked with dance companies throughout North America and Europe, including Ballet BC, Anne Plamondon, Peter London Global Dance Theater, Boykin Dance Projects and many others. He received the Danish Dance Theater Award in 2021.<\/p>\n

sagittarius, meet capricorn (2021) \u2014 Choreography by Rodney Diverlus<\/h3>\n

Music by Clifford Brown & Theon Cross<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI draw inspiration from the celestial wonders associated with the solstice, most fantastical of all for me, Sagittarius\u2019 meeting with and passing of the \u201cbaton\u201d to Capricorn. I use jazz, swing\/lindy hop, and contemporary movement woven in new palettes that explore rhythm and groove,\u201d says choreographer Rodney Diverlus.<\/p>\n

Rodney is a Haitian-Canadian movement artist whose work fuses jazz and contemporary dance. He was the winner of the 2019 Canadian Stage Award for Direction, and has debuted world premiere pieces with Toronto Dance Theatre, Tapestry Opera, and Toronto Metropolitan University.<\/p>\n

\"Sagittarius,
Sagittarius, meet capricorn by choreographer Rodney Diverlus (Photo: David Hou)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Sonata of Shadows (2023) \u2014 Choreography by Hanna Kiel<\/h3>\n

Music by Adam Campbell<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis composition delves into the aftermath of the solstice, examining its connection to our lives and the lessons we derive from it. There are moments when it feels like this darkness will never dissipate. However, as in the natural cycle, daylight inevitably returns. This piece explores the profound nuances of these dark moments, delving into the feeling that they might persist indefinitely,\u201d says choreographer Hanna Kiel.<\/p>\n

Dora award winning choreographer Hanna Kiel is a founder and artistic director of Human Body Expression, and a resident choreographer at Canada\u2019s Ballet Jorgen.<\/p>\n

Against the Dark (2010) \u2014 Choreography by Colin Connor<\/h3>\n

Music by Matthew Setzer and Kirk Elliott<\/em><\/p>\n

Colin writes, \u201cThe ones who put light in the sky are the ones who can fly. If our future is to have light, it is for our young artists to fly, for them, solstice by solstice, to bring light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Connor has created more than 50 commissioned works for companies such as Richmond Ballet and Lim\u00f3n Dance Company, along with a Contemporary\/Flamenco collaboration that was performed more than 100 times. His work has been presented across North America and Europe. The former Artistic Director of the Lim\u00f3n Dance Company, Colin has contributed seven works to CCDT repertoire.<\/p>\n

Nowell Sing We (1988) \u2014 Choreography by Carol Anderson<\/h3>\n

Music by Kirk Elliott<\/em><\/p>\n

Nowell Sing We was created for the very first WinterSong back in 1988, and since then, has been performed by every CCDT company member. Kirk Elliott\u2019s music offers arrangements of medieval carols, with echoes of medieval art in the set design.<\/p>\n

Carol Anderson is a founding member and Artistic Director of Dancemakers, and has created 10 works for CCDT as the company\u2019s most frequent guest artist.<\/p>\n