Footloose fever

Piss-takers, hula-hoopers, Brazilian hip hoppers
and more on stage in pools and parks

HOOP EDUCATOR: Rebecca Halls A PAIR OF PRANCERS: As Duas

by MARITES CARINO

June is upon us, which means two things: the Fringe (June 11–21) and Piss in the Pool. The Piss gang celebrate their fifth anniversary this year by showing their annual pool-side choreographies at Bain St. Michel as part of the Fringe. Other dance acts at the fest include feel-good comedy dance, Dancing in my Unbirthday Suit by Inertia productions, Dance Animal, a piss-take on Bob Fosse-style troupes, and a two-woman tango by As Duas. Look for a handful of works by some of the Piss choreographers at the end of the month, around St-Jean Baptiste Day, details at wantsandneeds.ca.

Studio 303 (372 Ste-Catherine W., #303) turns the tables this month with a new concept for the space. Saturday, June 13, head over to the third floor of the Belgo building for Danse Pour Tous. In two evening performances, diehard dance students showcase the stuff they’ve learned this past spring session from their movement profs (Michèle Turenne, Isabel Mohn, Louis Guillemette, Suzanne Miller and Rebecca Halls) in this showcase of African, contemporary, and last but not least, hoop dance. studio303.ca.

Also this month, there’s a handful of dance going on at Gesù (1200 Bleury). As part of the Festival Présence Autochtone, emerging choreographer Lara Kramer presents and performs in her first solo show, Fragments, a piece that was inspired by her mother’s experiences in two Manitoban residential schools. (June 11–13). Then classical Indian dancers Sudeshna Maulik and Enakshi Singha combine their expertise in Kathak and Odissi in Crossroads. The duo is accompanied by on-stage musicians on tabla and cello June 12–13.

During the Just for Laughs Festival, Brazil’s Balé de Rua makes a stop in Montreal during their world tour to share their unique blend of percussion, hip hop, street dance and capoeira. Choreographer Marco Antônio Garcia leads the large ensemble cast in a work inspired by Afro-roots, telling the story of working class pals. The company touches down July 14–19. (hahaha.com).

IN AND AROUND THE CITY

At the end of July, the nine-day summer dance festival, Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur kicks off its 13th season in the artsy resort town north of the city. Keep tabs on the international headlining acts, which will be announced at fass.ca.

Looking for dance in Parc Lafontaine off stage? Local choreographer Marie Béland has something up her sleeve for this summer. Her work Les Précédents uses the park as a backdrop to her orchestrated group movement that blends in with the cyclists and passersby. Audience members who want to get more involved are invited to participate in a Sunday workshop to learn the piece along with the dancers. Performances July 11–Aug. 8, workshops July 19, Aug. 2 and 9.

Same park, but on the Théâtre de Verdure stage in the heart of it, choreographer Estelle Clareton presents FURIES Alpha 1/24 (The Monsters Within) a work that takes inspiration from the drama and emotion of life, on Friday, July 31 and Aug. 1. The following week, on the same stage, keep an eye out for the mix of ballet and contemporary dance by Le Jeune ballet du Québec (Aug. 7–8), with a program called Espoir Danse II. You’ll also find the vibrant company at the closing night of Divers/Cité.The company is performing at La Grande Danse with L’Expérience Blackburn to a mix of tunes by Mexican DJ Isaac Escalente. (diverscite.org).