Dance

Yvon Soglo has been dancing for over 10 years, during which time he has become known as one of Canada’s top street dancers.

This year marks Ottawa burlesque troupe Capital Tease’s 10th anniversary. Measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have affected Capital Tease’s regular performances, but they quickly moved their performances online through Zoom.

Anyone can jump right into this 30-minute dance lesson “without stressing over fancy footwork.”

Up to 15 dancers will perform in the live stream event put on by Compagnie ODD (Ottawa Dance Directive).

Brad Lafortune hails from the Métis community in Sudbury, Ontario. He works as a physiotherapist in Ottawa and offers Métis jigging workshops and performances through MASC. Here, he talks about the unique identity created through a blending of rich cultures, as well as the opportunity to bring the joy of dance into people’s homes during COVID-19.

Founded in 2007, Propeller Dance is recognized as a leader in Canada for their innovative, inclusive creations and teaching practices, and for demonstrating that dreams can be achieved for people of all abilities. Artistic associate and company dancer Liz Winkelaar speaks about Propeller Dance as a role model for students and the community.

Trained in jazz ballet at the Montreal Jazz Dance Academy and then at the West Can Folk Performing Company in Montreal, Suzan is an accomplished artist and a seasoned teacher and choreographer. She recently appeared on CTV News Ottawa and will be offering workshops through MASC’s online program and the National Arts Centre’s #CanadaPerforms.

Rhonda Doxtator is a pow wow dancer from the turtle clan of Oneida nation. Here, Rhonda talks about working with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, finding cause for celebration beyond Canada’s devastating history of colonization, and art as medicine.

During this time of social and physical isolation, it is essential to sustain a sense of connectivity and community. Dance can achieve or assist with these aims.

The company was created 60 years ago and attracts some of the most technically brilliant and versatile dancers in the world. You could probably ask them to dance the Macarena and it would still be glorious and mesmerizing.

“Everyone always says tap is coming back,” said Dorrance. What’s exciting about the show is that there aren’t many opportunities to see tap shows outside of some Broadway productions. “[The tap community] is insular, it’s a small community. It felt really exciting to be part of it, because it was a small community,” she said.

Madeline Paiva: “This Wizard of Oz is a welcome addition to the infamous story. The visual, choreographic, and orchestral choices really make this version familiar, but in an entirely new way.”

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns to the National Arts Centre for The Wizard of Oz January 23rd through 25th.

Canadian choreographer Louise Lecavalier created Battleground, a breathtaking fast-paced duet with live original music.

Unikkaaqtuat runs at the National Arts Centre’s from January 9–12 before embarking on a Canadian tour.