CanAsian International Dance Festival, Program A

Reviewed by Paula Citron

CanAsian International Dance Festival
Choreography by Mi Young Kim (Korea Pulsing), Jocelyne Montpetit (Nuit, Naacht, Notte), and Ziya Azazi (Dervish in Progress)
Performed by Mi Young Kim Dance Company, Montpetit and Azazi
Fleck Dance Theatre
Feb. 23 and 25, 2011

Do not miss Program A of the CanAsian International Dance Festival which repeats Friday. It’s a good as dance gets.

At the time of this writing, I haven’t see Program B yet, which runs tonight and Saturday, but, in the meantime, here’s what’s on the superb Program A.

Turkish-born Ziya Azazi has transformed the ancient ritual of Sufi whirling into contemporary dance with the addition of surprising touches. This whirling dervish is both sexy and thrilling.

Montreal’s Jocelyne Montpetit reduced me to tears with her butoh homage to her late Japanese master, Kazuo Ohno. Using western classical music, she performs a solo which is a stunning metaphor for pain and release, life and death.

Finally, Toronto ‘s Mi Young Kim is celebrating 60 years as a professional dancer. Her gorgeous company performs three traditional Korean dances of shimmering beauty.

CanAsian International Dance Festival continues at the Fleck Dance Theatre. Program A repeats tonight. Program B runs Saturday.