Award-Winning Choreographer Traces Life’s Poignant Moments in Emotionally Resonant World Premiere

Joe Laughlin returns to the stage after 10 years, joined by a generational blend of dance-greats

From JOE INK and celebrated Vancouver Choreographer Joe Laughlin comes the world premiere 4OUR, on stage at the Scotiabank Dance Centre October 1 – 3, 2015 at 8pm, with a preview performance September 30. Brought to life by the exquisite talents of dance artists Gioconda Barbuto, Heather Dotto, Kevin Tookey, and Laughlin, this deeply personal and visually striking new creation will explore family dynamics, cross-generational relationships, and the singular moments that shape our lives.

“It’s an intriguing paradox that, as dancers, we mature into the height of our artistic abilities as our bodies begin a slow deterioration, leaving our emotional lives and memories more vivid and potent than ever,” explains Laughlin. “As an aging dancer myself, I find this irony endlessly fascinating with rich complexity. To breathe life into this work, I’ve invited three gifted dancers, each at a distinct phase in the evolution of their careers, who have had a significant impact on me personally and on the choreographic esthetic of this work.”

JOE INK’s 13^th full-length production, 4OUR will echo the evolution of life’s journey, from our early days through adulthood, including those who influence, support, protect, and ultimately leave us. Balancing moments of melancholy with humour, and nostalgia with celebration, this work will examine the power and formation of memory as we navigate through life.

4OUR will feature costumes by Alice Mansell, visuals by Eric Chad, dramaturgy by Jo Leslie, and lighting by James Proudfoot. Sound design by Kate De Lorme will integrate remixed musical compositions from Johann Sebastian Bach. Performing in this work, Laughlin will be joined by three other technically brilliant and profoundly emotive dance-greats, each at varying stages in their careers.

•Hailed as “a chameleon” by The Globe and Mail, Laughlin’s athletic background and versatility has informed more than 60 highly inventive creations for JOE INK and such esteemed organizations as the National Arts Centre, the Banff Centre, the Canada Dance Festival, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Johannesburg-based Moving into Dance Mophatong, to name a few. His excellence in choreography – influenced by classical to contemporary and hip hop to gymnastics – has been recognized with the Clifford E. Lee Award for Choreography, the Jacqueline Lemieux Prize, and the Isadora Award, among others.

•Award-winning dancer/choreographer Gioconda Barbuto has performed with Minnesota Dance Theatre, Les Grand Ballets Canadiens, and Nederlands Dance Theatre III, and appeared in works by George Balanchine, James Kudelka, José Limon, Margie Gillis, and Jiří Kylián, among others throughout her successful career as a company dancer and independent artist. As a choreographer, Gioconda has created works for Les Grande Ballets Canadiens, BJM Danse de Montreal, Ballet BC, and the Dutch National Ballet Academy, to name a few.

•At the peak of his career, multidisciplinary artist Kevin Tookey, accomplished in both contemporary and commercial dance, has performed with Carolina Ballet, MOVE: The Company, and chuthis., among others, with highlighted film credits including Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Once Upon a Time, and Reefer Madness.

•The youngest of the four generations represented, sought-after dancer/choreographer Heather Dotto has been a member with MOVE: The Company since 2005, and has toured internationally to Shanghai, Singapore, New York, Bangkok, and England.

Audiences are invited to a preview of 4OUR on Wednesday, September 30. Discounted tickets for this performance are available at $20.

About JOE INK

Based in Vancouver BC, JOE INK is renowned for it’s versatility, creating provocative and lyrical dance works that balance local performers and projects in partnership with national and international artists and organizations. Led by founding Artistic Director Joe Laughlin, the company’s mission is to engage, inspire, and motivate people through the medium of dance, pushing the edge creatively and artistically as professional artists while strengthening community through dance.

In addition to a large portfolio of successful works, JOE INK has also produced multiple public performances in the context of the community-based dance program Move it! for almost 15 years.

LISTING INFORMATION

4OUR

Date:

October 1 – 3, 2015 at 8pm

September 30: Preview

October 1: Opening Night

Ticket prices:

$32 Adults

$27 Students & Seniors

$20 (September 30 Only)

Address:

Scotiabank Dance Centre