Atlantic Moves at the Canada Dance Festival

June 21, 2012 | Atlantic Moves was on the move at the Canada Dance Festival, June 11th-13th. This was the first Atlantic Moves event in year 2 of the program and boy were we busy! The presenters spent two days attending professional development sessions hosted by the Ontario Arts Council's, Ontario Dances program. We were given the opportunity to discuss contemporary dance with our Ontario Dances colleagues as well as participate in professional development sessions on topics ranging from the practical to the progressive.

Here is a glimpse of what we were doing:

Monday, June 11

National Arts Centre

1pm – 2:45pm Quick introductions and year review

3pm – 5pm The History of Contemporary Dance

Presented by Amy Bowring

5pm – 6:30pm Networking Reception

7pm – 8pm Performance: Paul Andre Fortier - La Nouvelle Scene

8:30pm – 9:30pm Performance: InDance - National Arts Centre Studio

Tuesday, June 12

National Arts Centre

9am – noon Critical Response Workshop

Presented by Eric Olmscheid and Steve Busa

2pm – 4:30pm A Different Kind of Residency - Presented by Sara Palmieri and Mark Hammond

Featuring Michael Trent and Nova Bhattacharya

4:30pm – 5:30pm Dance Mapping Presentation - Presented by the Canada Council Dance Section

5:30pm – 6:30pm Networking Reception

7:00pm – 8:00pm Performance: Raven Spirit Dance - La Nouvelle Scene

8:30pm – 9:30pm Performance: Joe et Rodolphe - National Arts Centre Theatre

Wednesday, June 13th

Cartier Place

10:00am-11:30am Artist Chat - Hari Krishnan, InDance

12:30pm-1:30pm Talk with Nathalie Fave - I Love Dance Campaign

2:00pm - 4:00pm Atlantic Moves administrative meetings

7:00pm Performance: George Stamos - La Nouvelle Scene

8:30pm Performance: Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers - NAC Studio

Words from the presenters

Learning about and practicing Critical Response was an invaluable experience. It was about time that we learned the history of "modern dance." Susan Hoover, Osprey Arts Centre

"The 2012 Canada Dance Festival held in downtown Ottawa June 8 to June 16 featured four accessible venues and a wonderful variety of dancers, dance companies and choreographers. Presenting in four different spaces; the Arts Court, the NAC Studio, the NAC Theatre and at La Nouvelle Scene, gave audience members a chance to see more and appreciate the ambience of different venues. The theme of the festival 'Ignite Your Passion' was made clear through the variety and quality of the performances as there was so much to be passionate about. The inclusion of presentations by Professional Training Programs was an important feature of this festival. To see young dancers involved in an event like this and admire their work, creates continuity and gives a positive feeling about contemporary dance in our nation." Kathleen Hicks, O'Brien Arts Centre

"The Canada Dance Festival was a great chance to see dance, to learn new skills, and to meet other dance presenters." S.G Lee, Imperial Theatre

"It was my first experience at the Canada Dance Festival, and it was a very intensive 3 days. I had many chances to meet dance lovers, like dancers, choreographers, presenters and directors. It is such a fabulous world and meeting all those people makes my understanding of dance better. The festival gave me some good ideas for dance performances to present in my next season." Line Thibodeau, Conseil communautaire beausoliel

"I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Canadian Dance Festival, a wonderful mix of workshops, presentations and performances. The performance were a perfect mix of experimental and innovative new works." Geoff Keymer, King's Theatre

"Once again, Atlantic Moves' presence was known and felt by the Canadian Dance community. It was an excellent few days of sharing and development for our group. Bravo!" Tim Yerxa, Fredericton Playhouse

More about Atlantic Moves:

Atlantic Moves is a two-year pilot project of the Atlantic Presenters Association. Funded jointly by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts, in addition to the Province of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Moves aims to increase the number of contemporary dance performances in Atlantic Canada. We aim accomplish this through the education of our presenters by way of professional development, attendance at dance conferences and most importantly, seeing live dance in performance. Nine presenters from across Atlantic Canada have been chosen to participate.