Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Prepare to be enthralled by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Svengali. Mark Godden’s mesmerizing choreography brings to life the complex tale of the master of mind control. At The Centre (Apr. 20 to 22).—Sheri Radford
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Prepare to be enthralled by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Svengali. Mark Godden’s mesmerizing choreography brings to life the complex tale of the master of mind control. At The Centre (Apr. 20 to 22).—Sheri Radford
Photo by Ryan Fennessy (WCD)
APR 15. Since 1964, Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers have dazzled crowds with their innovative choreography and physical prowess, not to mention passion. At Dinner and Dance, WCD partners with Exchange District restaurant Peasant Cookery for an evening of phenomenal entertainment followed by three-courses of fine French food. Dancers perform then join guests for a meal. The event begins at 6 pm. Tickets: $75, Peasant Cookery, 283 Bannatyne Ave, 204-452-0229 ext 224.
April 18
One of the most fascinating historical tales comes to life in Anastasia by Ballet Jörgen. Told like never before, this is the story of a young Russian Grand Duchess who was born into privilege and then thrust into turmoil when her father, the Tsar, fell from power during the Russian Revolution. Using the company’s signature storytelling and powerful style of dance, this is a compelling representation of a tragic event that was once a captivating historical mystery. $35-$50. Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd., 613-580-2700. www.shenkmanarts.ca
Chic coats, cool jewellery, and plenty to decorate the home are on offer at this weekend's Ottawa Antiques Show.
Friday, March 30
The Ottawa Antiques Show is back for its annual spring edition, bringing with it a slew of great finds. But make no mistake: this isn’t your grandma’s show. While it does boast an assortment of century-old antiques, it’s also the place to find designer goods and hidden treasures. Vendors carry a selection of retro and vintage products; think designer jewellery by Tiffany & Co., haute couture accessories from Chanel and Hermès, handbags by Prada, and Rolex watches. Happy hunting!
Celebrate Canada’s diverse musical talent with Classical JUNOs in Concert, where JUNO nominated performers, such as Susan Hoeppner and Christina Petrowska Quilico, break out an array of instruments to perform classical pieces, including those by nominated composers. The afternoon concert is free and held in the lobby of the National Arts Centre.
Saturday, March 31
Step into the fantastical world of Tara Luz Danse – Les Billes, a creation of choreographer Anik Bouvrette, at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Here, dancers incorporate unusual objects into their movements: large marbles, lit hoops, and Chinese lanterns that resemble planets. In this lush performance of contemporary dance that has charmed both children and adults – not an easy task – the audience gets swept up in the question “When I close my eyes, in my imagination, I see…”
Come and be astounded by the magic of world-class illusionist Greg Frewin in his Vegas-style show, Beyond Belief, at the Théâtre du Casino. Frewin is the only magician to have won every major magic award in North America, and he has performed throughout the world. His show, featuring tigers, showgirls, and amazing illusions, will undoubtedly leave you beyond belief, just as it’s name promises. (more…)
The Gothard Sisters
Bring along your wee lad and lass to celebrate all things Irish at the 8th annual CelticFest Vancouver (Mar. 10 to 18). Choose from over 50 free and ticketed events, including dancing, scotch tastings and concerts, with performances by the talented trio The Gothard Sisters (pictured)—not only musicians, but Irish dancers, too—and the much-ballyhooed Dehli 2 Dublin, who mix bhangra beats with Celtic fiddles. Head to the massive parade on Mar. 18, a fitting end to St. Patrick’s Day weekend.—Jennifer Patterson
Photo by Chris Randle
Call us crazy, but watching dancers descend into madness is entertaining, especially when it’s set to the frenzied strains of Ravel’s Boléro. Ballet BC presents Johan Inger’s Walking Mad at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Mar. 8 to 10), plus new works by Aszure Barton and Emily Molnar.—Kristina Urquhart
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)
Just as theatre company Mirvish Productions was announcing its upcoming schedule, so too was another of the city’s performing arts institutions, the National Ballet of Canada, presenting its own highly anticipated 2012/13 programming—a selection that promises to thrill and inspire with its diverse mix of celebrated classics and groundbreaking new works.
The fall season opens with a whimsical bang when Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland returns to the Four Seasons Centre stage from November 10 to 25, 2012. Having received rapturous reviews when it premiered at last year’s Luminato festival, this lavish co-production with England’s Royal Ballet reimagines Lewis Carroll’s most beloved work through the grace and lyricism of dance. (more…)
Quinsin Nachoff is just one of the performers taking the stage at the Ottawa Winter Jazzfest.
Friday, Feb. 3
Jazz up your weekend by taking in the international and local talent at the first annual Ottawa Winter Jazzfest. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz enthusiast or looking to diversify your musical tastes, this festival promises to thaw that winter chill. Hop all over downtown Ottawa, from the National Arts Centre to Club SAW to the Mercury Lounge to catch the smooth sounds of artists such as Megan Jerome, Quinsin Nachoff, Remi Bolduc, and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble of Chicago.
Experience Ottawa’s diverse architecture and examine the relationship between architecture, the arts, and politics through music with Polytectures. This sound walk was created by Montreal’s Antoine Bédard and 10 local musicians. Through a variety of musical styles, Polytectures allows visitors and locals alike to experience Ottawa’s architecture in new ways by pairing songs with local landmarks. Although the entire walk is an hour long, it has been divided into sections with warm-up breaks for Winterlude.
If you’re a film buff with a soft spot for independent cinema, then you’re going to want to Get Iced this weekend. The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa is presenting 10 new Super 8 short films made by local filmmakers in cooperation with Winterlude. Afterwards, unwind with drinks at the Soviet-style reception hosted by Avant-Garde Bar and Gift Shop. The party continues at the bar after 9:30pm with live music and no cover charge.
This Friday, Yamantaka //Sonic Titan and Boyhood bring the party to Babylon. Yamantaka //Sonic Titan are a psychedelic opera group that fuses noise, metal, folk, and pop music to create an east-meets-west culture clash extravaganza. Boyhood is new on the Ottawa scene, bringing catchy songs with haunting melodies. (more…)
Shauna Rollston photo by Rolland Proulx
JAN 28-FEB 3 Icelandic composers are the focus at the 21st Annual International New Music Festival. Seven evenings of new works by contemporary composers are performed by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Highlights include performances by cellist Shauna Rollston (pictured) and Montreal dance company La La La Human Steps. Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main St, 204-949-3999 for tickets.
Almighty Voice and His Wife photo by Nadya Kwandibens
By Caitlin Dawson
Cure those winter blues with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. The 19-day fest mounts more than 100 groundbreaking performances in theatre, dance, music and the visual arts showcasing local and international talent to more than 2,000 theatre-goers.
There is something on the billing to suit most tastes, whether you’re interested in global issues or seeking out the unconventional. The acts are varied, but always genre-busting, stimulating and intent on pushing boundaries. After all, in what other setting could you watch Dostoyevsky’s masterpiece The Idiot one night, and a performance of Craigslist personal ads set to music the next?
Our top picks from the festival include: Looking For A Missing Employee, a provocative performance puzzle by Lebanese artist Rabih Mroué; quirky duo Bill Richardson and Veda Hille’s Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata, featuring ditties such as “Slugs for lease” and “Dead moose, free for the taking;” Almighty Voice and His Wife, exploring a tragic intersection of white and native cultures by First Nations playwright Daniel David Moses; and Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot, by Vancouver’s Neworld Theatre.
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival runs Jan. 17-Feb. 4. Venues and show times at pushfestival.ca.
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