York U Dance Innovations is ‘SpringLoaded’
Offering 15 world premieres by emerging young choreographers
plus a new work for 23 dancers by Terrill Maguire
TORONTO, April 15, 2009 -- York University's Department of Dance caps its 2008-2009 season with Dance Innovations: SpringLoaded, a dynamic two-part program running May 7 to 9 in York’s McLean Performance Studio. The concert, featuring 16 world premieres, is directed by acclaimed indie dance artists and York instructors, Terrill Maguire and Julia Sasso.
A highlight of the playbill in Program A is the debut of In Motion, Maguire’s exuberant new work for a large ensemble of 23 dancers, set to live music composed by York music student Lendl Barcelos. In Motion is inspired by the emergent energies attending the coming of spring, paralleling the blossoming talent of the youthful dancers.
A dancer and Chalmers Award-winning choreographer, Maguire has created numerous works for the concert stage and site-specific environments, including Simple Lines of Inquiry (2008), Grove (2002), Bilé (1999) and Sanctuary (1997). She has also choreographed for television, film and theatre including Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe and the John Gray musical Amelia! produced by the National Arts Centre.
Sharing Program A, and catapulting to centre stage in Program B, are 15 original dances exploding with creativity, by up-and-coming fourth-year choreographers under Sasso’s artistic direction.
Sasso is a choreographer, performer and artistic director of her own company, Julia Sasso Dances. Recognized as "one of the foremost dance artists in the country" (The Dance Current), she has created more than 50 original works including choreography for feature film, television and theatre.
Both Sarah Douglas and Ruth Madden found the springboard of inspiration for their quartets in historical figures who left an indelible mark on the art and science of their age. Douglas used the artwork of Salvador Dali as a conceptual theme for her work, oyster, generating moves that create an unearthly atmosphere. Madden’s Origins celebrates Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday by exploring the survival of the fittest.
Questions of identity are a recurring theme in the show. Kristin Di Nino’s .efil for four dancers takes a fresh look at essential philosophical questions about life, looking forwards, backwards and standing still. Vanessa Cappello’s trio, curve )(, asks how many ways a woman can be defined in a work that acknowledges the complexities and marvels of being female.
Shift, a quintet choreographed by Katie-Joan Lawson, focuses on journeys, with travelers passing through or getting swept up in it all. Ali Smith’s duet see 18E2 was inspired by the mystery of vintage photographs, exploring the shifting relationship between the mind’s eye and the permanent product of a camera’s single click.
Dreams led four choreographers to spring into action. Holly Newton’s solo Day Residue follows a daydreamer who seeks to escape reality through a dream of flying. Laura Bolender’s trio One Could shows that anything is possible. Kayleigh Anne Crook’s sextet Trace makes a stand within a dream of pursuit with no escape. And Samantha Ippolito’s trio Plain of Heaven explores the mystifying sphere of human consciousness, transporting the audience into a dream-like dimension.
Not all inspiration springs from a joyful place. Kathryn Jones’ trio dis/connect contrasts the starkness of solitude and the intimacy of loneliness. Niomi Anna Cherney’s trio The Gathering Towards reveals the futility of desire through a series of intimately crafted duets. Alex Thompson’s quartet Numb challenges the expectation of emotional reaction in the struggle between feeling something and feeling nothing.
Works by Maxine Cowlin and Ida Gerasolo round out the program. Lighting design supervision and production management for the entire show is by dance professor William Mackwood.
York's dance department has been a springboard for a generation of leading Canadian dance artists. Distinguished alumni include Debra Brown, choreographer of ten Cirque du Soleil productions; Christopher House, artistic director of Toronto Dance Theatre; Patrick Parson, founding artistic director of Ballet Creole; Denise Fujiwara, artistic director of Canasian Dance Festival; Karen Kaeja of Kaeja d’Dance; and dancer-choreographers Shannon Cooney Santee Smith, Andrea Nann, Yvonne Ng and Lata Pada.
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What: York U Dance Innovations: SpringLoaded
When: May 7-9, Program A at 7 pm, Program B at 8.30 pm
Where: McLean Performance Studio, 244 Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St. [Map]
Admission: $12
Box Office: 416.736.5888 | www.yorku.ca/perform/boxoffice
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Media contact:
Amy Stewart, Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts, York U | 416.650.8469 | amy.stewart@yorku.ca
