CCA BULLETIN / BULLETIN DE LA CCA
International Dance Day 2004
Ottawa , April 28, 2004 - Thursday, April 29th marks the 12th annual International Dance Day. Created by the International Dance Committee of UNESCO's International Theatre Institute (ITI), the day commemorates the birthdate of Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet.
In his International Dance Day message, Australian choreographer Steven Page describes how dance is not just an art form, and that it is an innate gift in all humans.
“Dance is the original most ancient form of human expression. Through the body and physical language, dance has a powerful connection with the emotional and spiritual worlds.
In traditional Aboriginal culture, dance is the core, like a kind of sacred medicine. Dance is grounded, connected to the spirit of Mother Earth. Unless you surrender to the dance you can't hunt quietly. It is an integral part of human existence.
When I create a new dance work I ask the dancers to swallow and digest the traditional seed, to sense the innate code within so that we can transform the traditional essence to the contemporary world.
Dance is the universal language. It represents human identity and a celebration of the human spirit. Dance is the artistic heart of kinship. It is a sacred universal remedy.”
For more information on International Dance Day 2004, visit the ITI's website at http://iti.unesco.org/pages/idd/idd.htm
Canada Dance Festival
This year marks the 10th edition of the biennial Canada Dance festival, a celebration of contemporary dance and choreographers. The festival will take place at venues throughout the National Capital Region from June 3rd through June 12th. Since its initial run in 1987, the Festival has commissioned more than 60 original dance pieces and is committed to being a catalyst in developing both dance artists and audiences.
2004 Canada Dance Festival curator Brian H. Webb notes that he has broadened the festival's concept of what is contemporary dance. Modern dance, folk dance and traditional dance, will all be on display, and the Festival will reflect the broader culture. “For it to be relevant, all dance must have an awareness of the present moment and of the influences of that moment, “ states Webb. “Politics, heritage, economics, religion and education impact contemporary dance and our understanding of culture.”
For more information on the Canada Dance Festival, see: www.canadadance.ca
Square Zero Independent Dance Festival
On the fringe of the Canada Dance Festival from June 10th through the 12th will be the Square Zero Independent Dance Festival. “Directed by collective (gulp) dance projects”, the festival is an opportunity for independant dance artists to present contemporary and improvisational dance pieces and interdisciplinary performances that are unusual, innovative and definitely out of the ordinary.
For more information on the Square Zero Independent Dance Festival, see: http://artengine.ca/collectivegulp/squarezero.html
For more information:
Kevin Desjardins
Communications and Public Relations Manager
(613) 238 3561 ext.11
Fax (613) 238 4849
20/04
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