Well, as some people have already gathered I am a huge fan of dance with a particular weakness for contemporary dance. I have worked with a variety of dance companies over the last 5 years, photograph dancers as part of my art and have had the opportunity to interview many different dance artists on blogTO’s The Arts Now show.
In the last week I have been completely blown away by the new talent that is growing out of Toronto’s dance community. Ironically many dancers/choreographers who are coined as emerging dance artists have actually been around for quite some time, but are only just starting to create their own works or get the recognition they deserve.
Last week the fourth At the Wrecking Ball Festival – A Showcase for Emerging Dance Artists, presented a roster of some of Toronto’s hottest new dance performers and series of works that got me really excited for the upcoming year in contemporary dance. Each 10 minute piece was slick, evocative, totally cool and filled with fresh new choreographic moves that were accessible to all.
Even though you might have missed this annual festival, do not fret because almost everyone featured on the line up will be making a least a couple more appearances this season.
Below is a list of few dancers I highly recommend checking out this season.
Neil Sochasky – Well, Neil is a good friend so this is a totally subjective write up. Neil has performed with a slew of different Toronto based dance companies and performers. He is an incredibly beautiful fair haired dancer, who recently became one of the newest members of O Vertigo in Montreal. Neil has a distinctive style and quiet power that sets him apart. Neil dances from the heart and can be found performing in Montreal’s Place des Arts. Photo of Neil Above
Matthew Waldie – is part of the Toronto Dance Theatre company and has been with them for quite some time. There is something about the way he dances that he seems to communicate so completely with his body, that it was no surprise to find him such a soft spoken individual in person. Matthew is an energetic, young performer who has begun to choreograph new works that are fresh, a wee bit homo erotic and ripe with humour. He will be performing with TDT this season.
Kate Franklin – I think Kate is on a mission, or perhaps she is on fire. Not sure, but either way this woman is driven to dance and create new opportunities for both her work and other dancers in the community. She is one of the founding directors of At the Wrecking Ball and started the firstthingsfirst dance company with Kate Holden. There first show Namesake was completely sold out last year.
Nehemiah Kish - One of the National Ballet’s Principal Dancers, Nehemiah marries both masculinity and grace. He looks like someone you might have gone to highschool with and does a great job whipping up a dance fight in the recent production of West Side Story running until November 18th. It’s actually kind of refreshing to see the men dance in jeans rather than spandex for a change.
Kate Holden – One of Dancemaker’s newest members, Kate Holden is a joy to watch. In many ways she seems to be in prime right now, gaining oodles of media attention as she beautifully interprets new works. Don’t miss her performance of things in between opening this week and running until November 25th at the Dancemakers’ Studio.
Emily Law - I think anyone who meets Emily is immediately struck by her unique beauty and dynamic stage presence, not to mention her waste length mane that adds a dynamic accent to her fluid style. Emily is a recent School of Toronto Dance Theatre Grad and dances in a range of different festival and companies including Ka Ha Wi Dance
Susie Burpee – Susie is not actually an emerging artist but has recently started a new solo career. I’ve had the opportunity to see her perform on numerous occassions and she is by far one of Toronto’s top contemporary dance artists, with a movement vocabulary that will blow you away. You can see her perform next week in Manga at the Harbourfront’s Enwave Theatre.
Louis Laberge Cote - I will simply describe him as the top male contemporary dancer in Toronto. Last year, he literally appeared in almost every single contemporary dance performance in the city. While he is definitely no longer in the category of emerging artist, it doesn’t matter, the point is go and see him perform this year, he has a stage presence and physical prowess like no other.
Ok, well that’s a start. I’ve left so many people out but this will have to do for now.
All photos were taking by yours truly.
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