Ashes for Beauty celebrates the work of Davida Monk May 23-25

The Dance Centre presents the Global Dance Connections series

Davida Monk
Ashes for Beauty

Three varied and beautiful contemporary dance works celebrate the work of the influential Calgary-based choreographer, performer and teacher Davida Monk, in a program which draws inspiration from myth, literature, and the natural environment. Her Ashes for Beauty (2017) traces the profound transformations that are central to human lives, including joy and suffering, and the evocative promptings of the natural world. This powerful work is specially remounted for an ensemble of seven Vancouver dancers. In addition, Monk performs in For Antigone, an homage to the character of Antigone in Sophocles’ tragedy, choreographed for her and Arash Khakpour by Paras Terezakis of Kinesis Dance somatheatro; and The Return (2018), a solo created for her by Alberta choreographer Helen Husak.

 

“Over the last three decades I have been a frequent visitor to Vancouver where my works have been presented, and where I have rehearsed, performed, created, studied, debated and taught,” says Monk. “My numerous Vancouver dance colleagues include those I first encountered as a young dancer with Le Groupe Dance Lab, as well as through my work as Artistic Director of Calgary’s Dancers’ Studio West, and as Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. I look forward immensely to the continuation of all these relations, and to the beginning of new ones, in my upcoming time with The Dance Centre.” The performances are part of a month-long residency in Vancouver where Monk will teach, lecture, and offer support and mentorship to emerging artists.

 

Davida Monk began dancing with Le Groupe de la Place Royale in Ottawa in 1985.  She created work for the company, served as Assistant Artistic Director, and was instrumental in the development of Le Groupe Dance Lab as Canada’s premiere choreographic development centre between 1988 and 2009.  In 2004 Monk founded M-body through which she advances her own creations and projects. As a performer and as a choreographer Monk has been presented across Canada, and in Poland and Finland. She is a frequent collaborator with fellow choreographers, dancers, musicians, poets, philosophers, visual artists and designers. Known as a master performer, choreographer, teacher and mentor, Monk was also Artistic Director of Dancers’ Studio West from 2008 to 2018. She is Artistic Director of M-body, and Associate Professor Emerita of the University of Calgary.

 Davida Monk
Ashes for Beauty
Thursday-Saturday May 23-25, 2019 at 8pm

Post-show talkback May 24
Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
Tickets $33/$25 students and seniors: 604.684.2787 www.ticketstonight.ca
Info www.thedancecentre.ca

For Antigone
Choreographer: Paras Terezakis
Dancers: Arash Khakpour, Davida Monk
Dramaturg: Andreas Kahre

The Return
Choreographer:  Helen Husak
Dancer: Davida Monk

Ashes for Beauty
Choreographer: Davida Monk
Dancers: Naomi Brand, Shauna Elton, Arash Khakpour, Walter Kubanek, Erin Lequereux, Hilary Maxwell, Kirsten Wiren
Understudy: Meredith Kalaman
Rehearsal Assistant: Emmalena Fredriksson

For the Production:

Composer: Allan Gordon Bell
Costume Design: Angela Dale
Lighting: Steve Isom

 

Global Dance Connections Contemporary dance series 2018-2019

The Dance Centre was established in 1986 as a resource centre for dance professionals and the public in British Columbia, and has evolved into a multifaceted organization offering a range of activities unparalleled in Canadian dance. Its goal is to support the development of dance and to develop an environment where it can thrive. The Dance Centre offers programs and resources supporting the professional development of artists, presents public performances and events, manages Scotiabank Dance Centre, one of Canada’s flagship dance facilities, and works to promote BC dance.

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Global Dance Connections series media sponsor: The Georgia Straight
Official hotel sponsor for The Dance Centre: Holiday Inn Vancouver Downtown Hotel and Suites

The operations of The Dance Centre are supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, the BC Arts Council, and the City of Vancouver through the Office of Cultural Affairs.

The Dance Centre | Scotiabank Dance Centre, Level 6, 677 Davie Street, Vancouver BC V6B 2G6 Tel 604 606 6400 www.thedancecentre.ca

 

Media release and images provided by Heather Bray, The Dance Centre. Image photo credit