Message from the Artistic Director
The age-old saying, “may you live in interesting times,” continues to resonate in multifaceted ways. In a world where each morning’s news can stir feelings of anxiety, where can we seek solace and inspiration, reminders of humanity’s boundless potential for greatness?
Can art mend our fractured world?
In the moments when you immerse yourself in a live performance, wander through an art gallery, or lose yourself in the pages of a book, there lies the promise of transformation, a glimpse into an alternative existence. This promise is palpably alive in our 2024/25 Season.
Every production in our upcoming season harnesses dance uniquely—be it social, political, personal, or transcendent of the visible, mundane realm. These diverse expressions of dance transcend mere eclecticism; they artfully encapsulate the human experience in all its intricacy—embracing both joy and sorrow, darkness and light.
We are thrilled to inaugurate the forthcoming season with Agustina Videla’s Social Tango Project. Steeped in history, tango has weathered countless reinventions, surviving governmental suppression and societal ostracism, only to be reborn in the hearts of artists and everyday individuals. In the Social Tango Project, Argentinian choreographer Agustina Videla creates a space for spontaneous eruptions of music and joy, transforming each venue into a timeless milonga—a place where past and present merge, embracing tango’s intoxicating sensuality and captivating beauty.
Montreal’s Compagnie Catherine Gaudet has earned acclaim for choreography that pushes the boundaries of physicality. In Les jolies choses (The Pretty Things), Gaudet continues to explore the outer limits of physical possibility. As her rigorous choreography evokes a shared sense of empathy and catharsis, the facade of superficial entertainment fades away, revealing the poignant poetry of human struggle.
Dance need not always be solemn. Sometimes, all it takes is a touch of whimsy—sexy waterfowls falling in love to the melodies of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Enter Circa, Australia’s premier circus dance company, with its tongue-in-cheek interpretation of ballet and fairy tales. Co-presented with the Cultch, Duck Pond playfully mocks tutus and frills, infusing burlesque, heart-stopping acrobatics, and feathered enchantment.
Colombia’s Sankofa Danzafro employs dance as a potent political platform in The City of Others (La Ciudad de los Ostros). Founded by choreographer Rafael Palacios to spotlight Afro-Colombian and contemporary dance forms, Sankofa Danzafro advocates for empowering marginalized communities. The City of Others, crafted in honour of Colombia’s 159th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, reclaims the stage as a space of democracy, equality, and inclusivity.
Montreal’s Le Patin Libre, formed by competitive skaters, challenges the traditional notion of ice shows, crafting a radical new form of movement. Inspired by the aerial choreography of birds, Murmuration transposes the graceful swoops and swirls of avian flight onto the ice rink. The troupe of virtuoso skaters becomes a unified entity, moving with instinctual harmony—an embodiment of collective flight and sublime grace.
We are delighted to conclude our season with Peeping Tom’s Diptych. This company’s work defies categorization. Brace yourself for enchantment as Diptych erases the boundaries between theatre and dance, weaving together a tapestry of peculiar and archetypal characters embarking on a surreal odyssey.
As a DanceHouse subscriber, you won’t miss a single moment of this journey. If you’ve been considering subscribing, seize the opportunity now!
Dance, as a temporal art form, poignantly reminds us of our fleeting existence. Engaging with the arts, in any form, fosters connection—not only with others but also with ourselves—cultivating a deeper sense of empathy, understanding, care, and wonder.
Whether we stand at a crossroads, poised to embark on a new trajectory, the arts guide us toward a brighter, more hopeful future. In The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity, the late David Graeber asserts, “The ultimate hidden truth of the world is that it is something we make and could just as easily make differently.”
Let’s make something wonderful together!
– Jim Smith, Artistic Director
