Dancing the Seven Teachings is a program rooted in the desire to create new dance works imbued with ancient knowledge. A family-friendly program of two pieces, each brings a different story through the art of Indigenous hoop dancing, ballet, and contemporary dance.
The two works are Bears Stars and Trees and Trickster’s Romeo and Juliet.
Bears Stars and Trees:
When nature is injured, the wisdom of the seven teachings brings hope for the future. This work is the result of a collaboration between contemporary and Indigenous artists, a meeting ground with Ballet and traditional Indigenous hoop dance.
Bears Stars and Trees is a unique work that started in 2016, guided by Elder Shirely Horn, and created with a team of Indigenous and Western-tradition artists.
Trickster’s Romeo & Juliet:
What happens when the Trickster gets involved with a Shakespearean classic? Find out with Romeo and Juliet in this unexpected journey, performed through the language of hoop dancing, ballet and contemporary dance.
This work is rooted in tapping into the character of the Indigenous Trickster, a teacher, and a playful entity which is unpredictable. The Trickster brings the gift of learning while presenting challenges. The multi-layered nature of Trickster’s presence within the world of Romeo and Juliet brings about unexpected changes to the story told through dance, storytelling, and image.
The music is a fusion of the traditional Tchaikovsky ballet score, and original composition sang by Indigenous artist Nimikii Osawamick.
About The Chimera Project Dance Theatre:
The Chimera Project Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance company renowned for hyper-physical creations since 1999. Founding Artistic Director’s Małgorzata Nowacka-May work with Chimera has been described as “the most exciting” and “most original in Canada” (The The Globe and Mail). Chimera’s performances were recognized as Top 10 performances of the year by prominent publications such as The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star and showcased in some of Canada’s acclaimed contexts, including the Canada Dance Festival (National Arts Center) and Dance Victoria (Victoria).
Chimera navigates the space between urban and rural duality, small and large endeavours, and re-imagines traditional techniques juxtaposed with contemporary forms.
