2008

Dancing on the Edge – landscape and generous space

The Dancing on the Edge Festival has wrapped for 2008, but our thoughts about it will be appearing on the Plank pages through the rest of this week. There was much to enjoy, a few things to be puzzled at, plenty of laughter and an equal number of muse-worthy pieces.

At the end of a festival devoted to dance, it’s a bit strange to realize that the only dancing I did myself in those ten days was in my living room, the night I got home from watching Edge Five (review on the way!) and clumsily attempted to demonstrate for my partner some of EDAM’s moves.

Taxonomy upgrade extras:

Author Name:

Meg Walker

Photograph Caption:

Aeriosa makes colourful clouds against the Vancouver Public Library

Photograph:

Cumulus – cool images

The Vancouver Art Gallery wants to become known for its collection of photography. This makes sense. Photography is an art-form at which Vancouver has become closely identified, as witnessed by the success of Jeff Wall and Roy Arden.

aeriosa, cool images; photo by audience member meg walker

July 15th, 2008 · By Andrew Templeton

Read the full review...

Take It Back - Would You Care to Dance?

Sometimes, when the curtain is drawn, you just know you're in for a good time. When the curtains move aside for Solid State's Take it Back, we are looking at a picture.

take it back, Helen Simard; photo: Melissa Gobeil

July 10th, 2008 · By Miranda Huron

Read the full review...

Nine Points to Navigate - Generic moves & text as crutch

The Brian Webb Dance Company is 29 years old - experienced, mature, steeped in training and knowledge. And dancing is still Webb's announced and lived passion - he describes himself as a person who "lives for dance" in the performance I'm about to describe. But the full-length piece he created for the 10 for 20 Dancing on the Edge commission was strong in staged story-telling - and strangely weak in choreography.

Nine Points to Navigate gets emotional

July 9th, 2008 · By Meg Walker

Read the full review...

Ghosts - a terrible & beautiful meditation

All cultures, it's safe to say, tell ghost stories. Whether Japanese yurei, Irish banshee, or German poltergeist, the restless dead are pitied and feared. Whether haunting locations or specific people, phantoms remind us that repressed history and long-past tragedy may still be echoing around our political, social, or psychic present. They also signify that human beings are fascinated by the things we find the most terrifying.

The grimacing beauty of a Kokoro Ghost. Photo: Chris Randle|

July 9th, 2008 · By Billey Rainey

Read the full review...

Ghosts - Kokoro leaves you haunted

On top of the Sunrise Market in the midst of Chinatown, 12 Scottish ghosts stand, garbed in white linens and lace, adorned with red and black sashes. In the center stands the musical guard, frocked in kilts and armed with bagpipes and drums.

Kokoro's Ghosts follow the bagpipers to the top of Sunrise Market, photo: Chris Randle

July 8th, 2008 · By Miranda Huron

Read the full review...

Edge Two is a lively mix of solo performances

Edge Two features three solo performers. First up is Sara Coffin with "I've Been Here Before". The piece is an excellent showcase for this emerging choreographer and performer.

Karen Rose featured in Edge 2; photo: Chris Randle

July 7th, 2008 · By Allyson McGrane

Read the full review...

Nine Points to Navigate: A Sentimental Journey

Nine Points to Navigate is a tribute to fathers of the old school variety – the kind that provide for their families, served their country in war, and don’t like queers.

Nine Points to Navigate, Sheri Sommerville, Brian Webb; Photo: Ellis Brothers

July 6th, 2008 · By Maryse Zeidler

Read the full review...

Take it Back - joy explosion

Four young dancers pose with the serious beauty of those who respect the eye of the camera, or in this case the audience. Their costumes are fifties-style street clothes, the two women in dresses and two men in jazz-casual suits, yes, ready for attention, ready to perform. Beat. Still ready. So ready that the tall woman's broad smile (JoDee "Fiesty" Allen's irrepressible grin) begins to freeze.

Solid State polishes the floor between couples dances

July 5th, 2008 · By Meg Walker

Read the full review...

Where the Blood Mixes – How the Story is Told is as Important as the Story Itself

I strongly believe that anyone should be able to tell not only their own stories but also those of people from other cultures, countries and backgrounds. That said, I have now seen two productions at two successive Magnetic North Festivals that have been spearheaded by large theatre companies in association with smaller Aboriginal organizations.