Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal
Published Tuesday November 17th, 2009
Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal will perform at The Playhouse as well as take part in two outreach programs this week.
The shows, Les Chambres des Jacques and Jack in a Box, will be performed at The Playhouse on Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.
This show has been on tour since June of 2008. This season eight of the 12 dancers are new to the production.
The dance company has been described by some as contemporary and cutting edge, with an interpretive dance style that is simply beautiful to watch. The show's choreographer, Aszure Barton, is described by Louis Robitaille, the company's artistic director, as a rising star.
She leaves the interpretation of the dance up to the individual.
"Aszure was very specific about this. She didn't want to have any story. She didn't want to give any reference to the audience because she absolutely wants people to make their own story and to enjoy the movement, the music, the performers. I think everyone will be able to make their own story. This is very accessible. It is not heavy, dark, intellectual like some dance can be. The ambience we want to provide is something that will make you forget your problems."
If you love dance, this show is sure to appeal whether you know little or a lot about dance, he says. It is his hope that when the audience sees this show that they will not only be entertained but that they will be spiritually elevated.
Anyone who is open to the opportunity to experience something beautiful should come, says Amani Wassef, outreach director at The Playhouse.
"The choreography is gorgeous. The lighting is gorgeous. The costumes are creative."
This show will be the first performance in the Spotlight Series Dance program. Robitaille will give an In Conversation public talk at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery right after the show.
Up to 50 audience members will have the chance to discuss the performance at a creative level. The discussion might be about the inspiration for the show, its musical arrangements, as well as answering questions about the show the audience has just seen.
"We usually talk about the company and the creation. As a company we like to hear what people think. We try to answer their questions," says Robitaille.
As part of The Playhouse's outreach program, the dance company will give a master dance class to young, aspiring dancers at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Dancers will be taught company repertoire from the performance. The dancers have to be 12 and up because before this, their bodies aren't ready for the master class level. They will be instructed by Robert Knowles who is one of the company's members.
Robitaille says this is a wonderful opportunity for young dancers to learn and for the company with young people which is the future audience and possibly future professional dancers for the company.
One of the things he says he and the dancers in the company love about this is when the young dancers react to what they have learned in class when they see the dance performed on stage.
This is the first time such a master class has been done as part of The Playhouse's outreach program. It will focus on technique, positioning and discipline. The students who take part in this will be invited to see the show so they can see those pieces that they have learned performed by the dance company's professionals.
"They're going to see beautiful dance form, really good technique, they are going to see who they could become if they stick with their discipline," adds Wassef.
For more information about the outreach program's master class and In Conversation or for ticket information please contact The Playhouse.
For more information about this dance company please go to www.bjmdanse.ca
Disabled
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
