The Performing Arts Trail series, presented by Trail & District Arts Council, brings you Ballet Kelowna’s and Other Works.
The taqəš and Other Works program features a stunning line-up of signature works from Ballet Kelowna’s contemporary ballet repertoire. With John Alleyne’s methodically harmonized Split House Geometric, Guillaume Côté’s riveting Bolero, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe’s powerful and compelling taqəš, this dynamic program promises to captivate audiences.
John Alleyne’s Split House Geometric (1989-1990) is a neoclassical piece danced to live violin and piano where poetic moments of pure contemporary ballet are juxtaposed with staccato movements, with bodies creating geometric shapes to brilliant effect. First created for The National Ballet of Canada, this vigorous, precision-perfect work is set to Arvo Pärt’s Fratres.
Next, National Ballet of Canada Choreographic Associate Guillaume Côté brings strength and fragility to a fascinating interpretation of the beloved Bolero by Maurice Ravel featuring 5 dancers. One of music’s most famous and identifiable melodies, Bolero (2012) features breath-taking lifts and virtuosic choreography.
A “…riveting tour de force.” - Dance Magazine
Watch the Bolero trailer: https://vimeo.com/583541643
Rounding out the program is taqəš (2021), which means “to return something” in Ayajuthem, the language belonging to the Homalco, Klahoose, K’omoks and Tla’amin Nations. Visionary choreographer Cameron Fraser-Monroe brings his classical ballet training, knowledge of traditional Coast Salish, Grass, Hoop Dance, and experience as a contemporary dancer to this poignant piece for 8 dancers. Set to songs by Polaris Prize-winning composer and singer Jeremy Dutcher, taqəš follows the traditional story “Raven Returns the Water”, centred around Raven (P̓oho) and Frog (Walθ).
Watch the taqəš trailer at https://vimeo.com/617188774.
There will be a pre-show talk with taqəš choreographer Cameron Fraser-Monroe. “It is very important that First Nations Peoples tell our own stories,” says Fraser-Monroe, a member of the Tla’amin First Nation in Powell River, BC.
taqəš and Other Works is a dynamic program that promises to captivate audiences.
6 Show Series Pass: $148 **Don't miss out on this great offer.**
Individual Adult Ticket: $30.00, except Shane Koyczan which is $35, or the bargain price of $10 for anyone under 30 years old.
All tickets are assigned seating and are available online at thebailey.ca, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail.
Shows in the Performing Arts Trail series include:
Ridge: Tues Nov 8, 2022 - A vivid and intimate examination of our connection to the past, through stories from Vimy Ridge, that passionately argues against the exploitation of young lives. Featuring musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs performed by Brendan McLeod and his band The Fugitives.
Oktopus: Tues Feb 28, 2023 – The Quebec octet Oktopus is devoted to klezmer—the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews. The group’s virtuoso musicians offer original compositions, finely crafted arrangements and improvisation for a high-energy performance, at once melancholic, profound, and humorous.
Shane Koyczan: Tues March 28, 2023 - There seems no shortage of adjectives to describe a show by spoken word poet, writer and performer Shane Koyczan. Moving, hilarious, challenging, provocative, or inspirational. Take your pick.
Sansei: The Storyteller and Yamabiko Taiko Drummers (double bill): Tuesday April 18 2023 - Sansei: The Storyteller uses dance, theatre, and humour to tell the story of one of Canada’s darkest decisions and how the rampant racism of past generations affected the Japanese community today. The Yamabiko Taiko drummers will close out the evening with their high energy performance on Japanese Taiko-style drums.
Huu-Bac Quintet: Tuesday May 2, 2023 - Huu Bac Quach and his quintet, based in Montreal, skillfully combine his Vietnamese and Chinese heritages with North-American jazz music. His beautiful compositions feature the dan bau (single chord Vietnamese instrument), the erhu (Chinese fiddle), the quena (Peruvian flute) and the guitar.
The Performing Arts Trail series is sponsored by Teck Trail Operations, Pharmasave Trail and Century 21 Kootenay Homes (2018) Ltd. With funding support from the BC Arts Council, the Government of British Columbia, the BC Touring Council and Tourism South Kootenay. This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. / Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.