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Performance | Global Dance Connections series
CANCELLED Mary-Louise Albert
Solo Dances/Past into Present
These performances have been cancelled due to COVID-19 but a film will be streamed online December 3-17: details and tickets.
Two generations of Canadian contemporary dance artists come together in an evening of vibrant solo works helmed by Mary-Louise Albert. Having retired from performing twenty years ago following a distinguished career as a dancer, Albert is reviving three solos she commissioned from leading Canadian choreographers, for a new generation of outstanding female performers. Peter Bingham’s Woman Walking (away) will be danced by Livona Ellis; Tedd Robinson’s (oLOS) features Vanessa Goodman; and Allen Kaeja’s Trace Elements will be performed by Rebecca Margolick. Joyful, yearning, vivacious, and dramatic, these eclectic, beautifully crafted solos encompass a world of emotions. Albert herself returns to the stage at the age of 65 for the premiere of Empreintes, a new solo commissioned from Serge Bennathan; and to mark emerging choreographic voices, Ellis and Margolick will also share two of their own short solos.
This inspiring and deeply personal project celebrates the equal creative fusion of dancer and choreographer and pays tribute to the enduring cycle of lives in dance, and to the continuing evolution of choreography itself.
Teaser Trailer
Details
Empreintes
Performer: Mary-Louise Albert
Choreography: Serge Bennathan
At the age of 65, Mary-Louise Albert returns to the stage after a 20-year hiatus for the premiere of a solo commissioned from choreographer Serge Bennathan, to explore the layers of artistry, physical trust and risks that a new stage in life opens up.
oLOS
Performer: Vanessa Goodman
Choreography: Tedd Robinson
A deeply intuitive and somewhat mysterious work that transports performer and audience on an inquisitive journey, via the naïve love and longing of Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer.
Woman Walking (away)
Performer: Livona Ellis
Choreography: Peter Bingham
A journey of one, arriving or leaving, listening to memory that is gently propelling what is next for her as the fanciful music of Die Knödel backs the exploration of her complex yet personal quest.
Trace Elements
Performer: Rebecca Margolick
Choreography: Allen Kaeja
There is the wish that this work of memory of persecution was just a source of history uncovered, but the dance is as relevant today as it was 20 years ago when it was created. This powerful probing, re-imagined work, melds the music and text of Myra Davies and Gudrun Gut.
Rehearsal photos: Sylvain Senez, Maxx Berkowitz. Composite photo: Maxx Berkowitz, Ben Didier
Unmoved
Choreographer and Performer: Livona Ellis
Imaginary limitations are often placed on ourselves and when one sees a friend surpassing real challenges, you are given an opportunity to rethink the word ‘impossible’ and your relationship to the concept. A tribute to my friend Jasmine Sanchez Ziller.
Bunker
Choreographer and Performer: Rebecca Margolick
Memory experienced through the body and generations, this solo was influenced by my archival research on the women who resided at the 92nd Y Residence and The Clara de Hirsch home for Working Girls from 1899-1950 in New York City. Embodying and visualizing memories of these women, as well as my own.
“These solos that I commissioned have not been performed or remounted since I last performed them 20 years ago. The process throughout, past and present, attests to the equal importance of dancer and choreographer to the creation of artistic work. As a dance professional I feel strongly that it is important to revisit them, and put them back in repertoire on Canadian dancers who have the versatility and desire to develop, enjoy and share them. The artistic and intellectual curiosity, generosity, patience and incomparable talent that Vanessa Goodman, Livona Ellis and Rebecca Margolick bring to dance and in particular these works has been personally and professionally inspirational. Tedd, Peter, Allen and Serge’s understanding of and unwavering commitment to continue to explore their choreographic artistry, and their support of this project and these amazing young women, quite frankly gave me the confidence that I too could continue to explore through dance.” – Mary-Louise Albert