Fringe benefits

>> Would you like some dance with that festival?

by MARITES CARINO

 Kicking off the summer dance season this week are two festivals that will satisfy even the most insatiable of dance appetites. Whether you decide to hop into a car/train/bus to the nation's capital June 9 for the opening of the Canada Dance Festival, or stay within the city limits, there's always something happening in dance.

 Here at home, it's the 10th anniversary of the Montreal Fringe Festival. From June 9-18, the Fringe has an offering of 10 dance shows, covering a wide spectrum from ballet-jazz to improv, on the dance stage, which has moved to the more central Théatre La Chapelle (3700 Ste-Dominique).

 Once again, dancers from Japan have a strong presence at this year's Fringe. All three dancer/choreographers are returning Fringers, with new shows up their sleeves. For her fourth Montreal Fringe, there's Mari Osanai's transforming piece hollow place, which fills an empty stage with movement and a soundscape by Christophe Charles. Luna, a piece from Kumiko Yamaguchi, is dance for all ages, whereas Tokyo's Shakti and her tumultuous version of Swan Lake is stamped for Mature Audiences Only. More out-of-town talent includes the show Fragments, where four New York City artists animate the stage with movement, text and violin.

 Some local productions this year are the Joliette Troupe de danse Fandali, with their show Amalgame, which is made up of five pieces inspired by life's banalities--like spending the day on the couch. Six Non Sense Non Remboursable by L'Instant danse, features dance improvisation and live music. Explore the mythical with exisTANZ.eos in their creation Dialogue avec Perséphone, which also uses video, or delve into the choreographies of Les Ballets jazz de Montreal as they take centre stage in Dance Proje/c/t Danse. And lastly, there's trans(body)smile, by mauvaise herbes danse, which includes two works: Tel Quel/As Is and Billy au pays des hommes, which is a tribute to jazz musician Billy Tipton.

 Over in Ottawa this week, is the Canada Dance Festival, which pays tribute to Quebec's choreographer Édouard Lock. If you missed Lock's work Salt/Exaucé last year, it opens the festival Friday, June 9. Lock also closes the festival with a commissioned work for the National Ballet of Canada. Montreal has a strong presence at the fest this year. Local groups like Compagnie FLAK, Le Carré des Lombes, Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Emmanuel Jouthe, Lucie Grégoire Danse, par b.l.eux and Zab Maboungou will be making the trek to show their wares. And one of my favourites, The Holy Body Tattoo puts forth its new multi-media work Circa, which explores the submission and control of the tango. :

 

Montreal Fringe Festival, June 9-18, at various venues, call 849-FEST or visit www.montrealfringe.ca

 Canada Dance Festival, June 9-17, in Ottawa. For info see www.canadadance.ca or call 613-947-7000