DANCE: made in Canada; fait au Canada

Reviewed by Paula Citron
August 12, 2011

DANCE: made in Canada; fait au Canada
Princess Productions
Curated by Peggy Baker, James Kudelka and Yvonne Ng
Betty Oliphant Theatre
Aug. 11 to 14, 2011

Ever since the late, lamented fFIDA exited the scene, dance aficionados have been without their August fix. Veteran dancer/choreographer Yvonne Ng is trying to correct that missing link.

Her mini-festival is called DANCE: made in Canada; fait au Canada, and features 3 mainstage series that include 2 world premieres, 4 Toronto premieres and 1 remount, representing four cities. Each series is repeated three times.

There is also an interesting twist. These 7 choreographers were chosen by different curators from submissions from dancers across the country. Ng, herself, selected one mainstage series, while Peggy Baker and James Kudelka chose the other two. There is also a late night series featuring 5 works chosen by lottery.

Unlike the fringe, a curated series does mean more polished works. At this point, I’ve seen the Ng and Baker series, and all the dances have elements to recommend them.

DANCE: made in Canada; fait au Canada continues at the Betty Oliphant Theatre until Sunday