With 600 artists from numerous genres, the Ontario Scene festival is a true cultural cornucopia.
But with so many performances on offer it can be a bit overwhelming to know what to pick. If I can therefore make a friendly suggestion, consider the shows and exhibit taking place at Arts Court (2 Daly Ave.) as part of Ontario Scene. I say this after attending a few events there on the evening of Thursday, April 30.
On the top of my list is Compagnie ODD’s performance of Speeds and Slownesses 1a. After watching this talented Ottawa dance ensemble I was pretty impressed. If you missed their Thursday show you can see a repeat performance this Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $25.
We are always already meeting the world at many different speeds at the same time. Even something as simple as this text, which you are reading right now, has travelled and is travelling at several distinct velocities. – From the programme notes for Speeds and Slownesses 1a.
Echoing the linear notes that are quoted to the left, this creative work – which was choreographed by Andrew Turner – offers an intriguing contrast of different speeds, emotions and techniques.
Having performed this piece last year as part of the Canada Dance Festival, the Compagnie ODD dancers displayed a full range of abilities. From generous doses of humour – the segment with four dancers shaking in unison was great – to highly-skilled routines that contained flashes of gymnastics and martial arts, this work alone is worth the price of admission.
This strong opening act was then followed by The Eventual De-Expression of Rgs2, a solo work choreographed by Yvonne Coutts, Compagnie ODD’s artistic director. Performed by Kay Kenney, this solo piece was accompanied by the music of Jesse Stewart, an award-winning Ottawa-based composer.
With an intriguing use of lighting, props and music, I imagined that I was watching a women’s journey into madness, as I observed Kenney’s strong dance chops and listened to Stewart’s innovotiave sounds. The performance then concluded with Mere Human by Mélanie Demers, the artistic director of Montreal’s MAYDAY.
Following the dance recital, I went to the opening of Michael DeForge’s exhibit All Dogs Are Dogs that runs until June 21 at Galerie Saw Gallery. Originally from Ottawa, this Toronto-based artist has made a name for himself in the world of alternative comics by creating hallucinatory images that are both frightening and compelling.
Comprised of graphic novels, a comic-strip mural, large drawings and sculptures, this exhibit may set your mind of fire. “So if a Kandinsky painting were to suddenly become a cartoon, and then that cartoon were to become alive with a painful scream, then this is what it would look like,” I found myself thinking as I viewed his work.
This exhibit is free if you want to see DeForge’s wild images and sculptures.
In conjunction with the exhibit opening, three of Ottawa’s leading indie bands played outside as part of Next Wave: Ottawa Music Spotlight, which featured Bonnie Doon, The Yips and Roberta Bondar.
As I stood underneath the sky, drinking a Beau’s beer on a lovely night, I couldn’t help but feel proud of Ottawa. For in the span of only a few hours, I had watched a great dance show, observed some pretty crazy artwork, and tripped the night fantastic on the music of three good local bands.
From the short work A Common Experience that is part of the Indigi-nate NOW: A Province of Nations on Film
So what can you expect in the coming days at Arts Court as part of Ontario Scene? You may want to check out the one-woman show by Shaista Latif in which she tells the stories of three Afghan women. Her three-day run will take place from May 6-8 and single tickets are $25.
Then there is the Indigi-nate NOW: A Province of Nations on Film that will be shown on May 7 at 7:30 pm. This free screening brings together a collection of short works that offer modern perspectives on Indigenous artistry.
Finally, you can watch the fusion of tabla, sitar and dance in an evening of classical music and dance from North India. The show is on May 9 at 8 pm and tickets are $25.
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