With her love of theatre, dance and writing, Ashima Suri jumped on the opportunity to write for Mooney On Theatre. Ashima is an award-winning established dance artist with her own dance theatre company called Limitless Productions. In her own work, she uses art as a tool for social change. As a reviewer, she seeks out shows that speak to the diversity in the community. She loves to watch innovative shows that break the norms and challenge the audiences.
Mesmerizing and intricate dance lights up Toronto’s Winchester Street Theatre in Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects’ Stages
Two contemporary dance routines – Time Now(Choreographed by Jennifer Dallas) and Thirst (Choreographed by Tedd Robinson) – were featured in the Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects production, Stages. Showing at the Winchester Theatre, these two pieces are made up of unique choreography that use an abundance of intricate distorted movements and interesting props. Though both works intriguing, I was drawn more to Robinson’s duet piece Thirst primarily forits use of storytelling, simplicity and expressive emotions by dancers Michael Caldwell and Jennifer Dallas.
Be sure to experience Vital Signs, a dance performance in four parts, at the Winchester Street Theatre, Toronto to escape into an unknown world filled with breathtaking movement
The Von Tiedemann series for Dance: made in Canada/fait au Canada (d:mic/fac) featured three unique contemporary dance performances by Louis Laberge-Côté, Blue Ceiling Dance and Mocean Dance (company based in Halifax). Each piece offered the audience something new. Laberge-Côté used inspiration from his own life to choreograph an emotional duet about a time in his life he was away from life-long partner and performer, Michael Caldwell. Lucy Rupert, from Blue Ceiling Dance, presented a solo piece that she originally did in 2006 and that was remounted for this festival. Tedd Robinson choreographed for Mocean Dance, fusing Celtic inspired and contemporary choreography for the strong all-female dance troupe.
Dance artists Benjamin Kamino and William Yong take Toronto by storm in Dance: made in Canada
Two fierce unabashed dance artists, Benjamin Kamino and William Yong, take the stage at the Betty Oliphant Theatre for the Dance: made in Canada/fait au Canada (d:mic/fac) mini-festival in Contemporary Dance. Kamino takes the stage first showcasing his mastery in physical theatre as he releases all inhibitions in his raw dance piece, Nudity. Desire. Yong followed with his powerful solo piece, Steer, which integrates innovative movement, sound and technology.
What I love about Yong and Kamino’s work is their ability to showcase work that is honest to who they are. Even though an audience member may not always be able to decipher what is happening while watching the performance, their presence on stage is deeply felt and that makes for a great performer.
Five strong diverse actors take the stage in the beautifully written SummerWorks play, Eating Pomegranates Naked. The play addresses issues relating to fertility, race, gender identity, faith, religion, relationships and sexuality.
As a woman who is pregnant, I could especially relate to the issue of fertility and the importance our society places on being fertile. Having friends who are currently experiencing infidelity or others who have miscarried; I think playwright Andrea Scott addresses the sensitive issues in a profound and honest way. Continue reading Eating Pomegranates Naked (Call Me Scotty Productions) 2013 SummerWorks Review→
Five strong diverse actors take the stage in the beautifully written