Modified moves

Dance diversifies at the fourth edition of
Festival TransAmériques

TAKING IT TO THE STREET: Le très Grand Continental

by MARITES CARINO

Marie-Hélène Falcon, artistic director of the Festival TransAmériques, says the scene in Montreal and internationally is becoming more and more “métissé” and audience tastes are reflecting this trend. Now in its fourth year and spread out over the next 17 days (May 27–June 12), Falcon says the acts at the festival, which showcases both theatre and dance, have become multifaceted. “The fourth festival is much more diverse and multi-arts than the first one because the artists of today are multi-disciplinary,” she explains. Falcon drops names like Tammy Forsythe and Clara Furey (who last week dropped out of the festival due to injury), who are not only dancers but draw from various sources like music and video to create their art.

Public displays of dancing

Another characteristic that sets this year’s edition apart is the number of interactive outdoor shows. Take the mischievous mélange of theatre and dance by playful Catalan theatre director Roger Bernat. In this silent choreography-performance, Domaine Public, a voice directs a cluster of headphone-wearing participants with instructions like “step forward,” “raise your hand” or “gaze up at the sky.” (June 3–6, Place Pasteur)

Over at the Place Émilie-Gamelin, choreographer Sylvain Émard invades this public space with Le très Grand Continental. In this performance of social dance en masse, 100 dancers lure spectators and passers-by to join in the moves to a mix of country, techno and disco tunes. (June 3–6)

For a more sensorial, intimate two-and-a-half-hour experience, head to Tu vois ce que je veux dire. Choreographers Martin Chaput and Martial Chazallon lead blindfolded spectators through the streets of Montreal while exploring our place in the environment (May 27–June 6, Long Haul/Le Corrid’art)

LAST DANCE: Merce Cunningham’s Nearly 902

Going global

After a decade’s absence on the Montreal stage, Japanese dancer and choreographer Saburo Teshigawara will be performing a mesmerizing solo called Miroku (June 11-12, Theatre Maisonneuve). If that’s not enough, head over to the Cinémathèque Québécoise on Sunday, May 30 for a doc with this fluid dancer as subject.

Montreal audiences first got a taste of the vibrant Compagnie Salia Nï Seydou from Ouagadougou during the now-defunct FIND festival. Next week, contemporary dancers Salia Sanou and Seydou Boro return with Poussières de Sang, a group work that denounces violence in all of its states. (June 5–7, Usine C)

More More More…Future, which Falcon describes as a “punk concert,” features live music by three musicians and two singers. Congolese choreographer and dancer Faustin Linyekula leads a trio of dancers in this high-energy performance from Kisangani.

Don’t forget the festival opener, Nearly 90² by the late Merce Cunningham. “Since the company is not touring together anymore, it’s a show that’s not to be missed,” says Falcon. “This is the last piece of a genius, a master who transformed dance for almost a century.” (May 27–28, Theatre Masionneuve)

Lastly, if you want to mingle with the artists, have a drink, or catch a lecture, stroll over to the dance headquarters l’Agora Hydro-Québec (175 President-Kennedy). For the full schedule and details, see fta.qc.ca.