When the DSdanse troupe perform at the Heritage Playhouse this April 27 and 28 in a show titled Introspective, it’s a chance to see a thriving group of dancers who will soon perform on an international stage.
DSdanse has been invited to represent Canada in Macau at the International Youth Dance Festival. The 2018 festival will be held July 20 to 26 and each of the local dancers must start their fundraising now for their airfare. The biennial Festival, organised by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau in Macau, is a way for young dance lovers from around the world to cultivate friendship, exchange cultures and display their dances. It also provides an opportunity for local residents and tourists in Macao to appreciate and experience the art and culture of different countries and regions.
The young women dancers expect to see dance groups from around the world, including meeting up again with some old friends, the Belgian dance troupe Cie/Ph/f/ase that they exchanged with in 2015 on the Coast and in Belgium. DSdanse has a junior company for ages 10 to 13 but this trip is for the senior company, ages 15 to 18 including some former members of DSdanse up to 25 years.
Dance teacher Heidi Riggs will be accompanying the women as chaperone – or more like a support system, as she explains it. “I think we’ll be well taken care of,” she said. “The accommodation is all set up and they will offer tours to international visitors.”
The dancers will be performing a piece that they hope will represent Canada called Loggers’ Daughters. “We’ve freshened up the dance and the costumes,” Riggs said. “Another piece we’ll be performing, En Coeur, is more lyrical and we will be creating a short piece for the parade.”
Every year DSdanse puts on a show with a complex theme that they express to the audience through movement. Last year’s performance titled The Majestic Project brought awareness of the ocean’s fragility and all the majestic creatures within. The theme of Introspective is looking within. One of the group pieces in the show has been choreographed by guest Sarah Hutton who has also created a solo. Others pieces are by choreographers Audrey Hutchinson and Dominique Hutchinson in collaboration with the dancers. As they rehearse their performances, the dancers often get involved in the creative process and fashion their own choreography.
Guest performers are from West Coast Choreo Lab in Van-couver who will be on stage and also offer an organized improv workshop with all the students.
Introspective is at the Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, on Friday, April 27 at 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adult, $15 for child available at Laedeli Gifts and Cards or share-there.com. Phone Dominique’s School of Dance at 604-886-0020 or email [email protected] for more.
