The Ice Painting Project Society hosted the first Call for Participation for Performance for Ice Gate, Saturday, Sept. 12 at St. Mary's Catholic Church auditorium in Gibsons.
About 25 members of the public attended, with more than 15 signing up. Several took away forms to attract team and family teams, which are available at a discount. Up to 150 dancers will be needed. Others vowed to return with friends and recruits in tow to the next audition this Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt.
Four featured choreographers introduced their routines to an audience of all ages: parents, teens, youngsters and single dancers. Caitlin Hicks made a short welcome and introduction, and Jean Pierre Makosso began the demonstration with five minutes of warm-up, African dance-style. Next Maggi Guzzi danced her choreographed steps to Move it! Move it!, leading experienced and novice dancers alike in a simple, contemporary-style dance. Brittany Robertson followed with basic hip-hop moves and Gerardo Avila taught mime dance. Enthusiastic applause followed every segment.
Between now and the opening of the Olympic Torch Relay on Feb. 4, each choreographer will teach their group of dancers one short dance. All four dances will be orchestrated together into one seamless piece, punctuated by melting and freezing gestures. An opening and closing section will be performed by all participants.
Rehearsals begin in October on Sunday afternoons and continue through November, when the dance will be performed for the Sechelt torch relay committee. No rehearsals will be held for the month of December, with a schedule to be announced in January, 2010.
The Ice Painting Project Society is a non-profit society hosting the event, and encourages everyone - even if you've never danced before - to join the fun. Google "Ice Gate 2010 Facebook" to be connected to the Facebook page, and follow the blog at www.theicegate.blogspot.com. Regular updates on the project will appear in Coast Reporter during the coming weeks and months.
- Submitted
