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WINTERSONG 2024

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Celebrating 36 years of illuminating the solstice through dance—Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre presents WinterSong—dances for a sacred season

WinterSong warms the hearts of family audiences with a breathtaking tapestry of seasonal dance inspired by the world’s rich solstice traditions. Featuring a World Premiere by Justin Rapaport + works by Hanna Kiel, Colin Connor, Carol Anderson, and Rodney Diverlus.

"a thoroughly refreshing take on the season"
— Michael Crabb,The Toronto Star



WinterSong—dances for a sacred season
December 13 & 14, 8:00pm
December 15, 2:00pm
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre
207 Queens Quay West - Third Floor

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Scintilla (World Premiere)—Choreography by Justin Rapaport

A Sonata of Shadows (2023)—Choreography by Hanna Kiel
Music by Adam Campbell

sagittarius, meet capricorn (2021)—Choreography by Rodney Diverlus
Music by Clifford Brown & Theon Cross

Against the Dark (2010) - Choreography by Colin Connor
Music by Matthew Setzer and Kirk Elliott

Nowell Sing We (1988)—Choreography by Carol Anderson
Music by Kirk Elliott 

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Scintilla - Choreography by Justin Rapaport

"Winter solstice, endless night… so easy to lose oneself in that darkness. But within such obscurity, the shimmering moon still rises to penetrate that void, the dormant beacon we all share within, waiting to be reawakened." - Justin Rapaport

Justin is a dynamic freelance artist who has worked with Ballet BC, Kidd Pivot, Anne Plamondon and PARA.MAR Dance Theater. A graduate of the Juilliard School, his choreography has been featured by Peter London Global Dance Theater, HD Theatre, Boykin Dance Projects and many more. Justin’s work was recognized at the 2021 Copenhagen International Choreographic Competition, where he received the Danish Dance Theater Award.

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A Sonata of Shadows (2023)—Choreography by Hanna Kiel

This composition delves into the aftermath of the solstice, examining its connection to our lives and the lessons we derive from it. There are moments when it feels like this darkness will never dissipate. However, as in the natural cycle, daylight inevitably returns. This piece explores the profound nuances of these dark moments, delving into the feeling that they might persist indefinitely.” —Hanna Kiel

Hanna Kiel is a Dora award winner, a founder and artistic director of Human Body Expression, and a resident choreographer at Canada’s Ballet Jorgen.

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sagittarius, meet capricorn (2021)—Choreography by Rodney Diverlus 

I draw inspiration from the celestial wonders associated with the solstice, most fantastical of all for me, Sagittarius’ meeting with and passing of the “baton” to Capricorn. I use jazz, swing/lindy hop, and contemporary movement woven in new palettes that explore rhythm and groove.” —Rodney Diverlus

Rodney Diverlus is a Haitian-Canadian movement artist who has performed internationally with Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks where they developed their movement aesthetic, fusing jazz and contemporary dance. Now a fresh and fast-rising young choreographer, Rodney has recently debuted world premieres with Toronto Dance Theatre, Tapestry Opera, and Toronto Metropolitan University and is the recipient of the 2019 Canadian Stage Award for Direction. They are a co-founder of Black Lives Matter-Canada.

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Against the Dark (2010) - Choreography by Colin Connor
 
Colin Connor’s work draws from a large range of influences, all used to bring attention back to the communicative power of the human body. With over fifty commissions, from creations for Richmond Ballet and Limón Dance Company to a full-evening Contemporary/Flamenco collaboration with over 100 performances, he has had works presented at venues across the Americas and Europe. Of this work Colin writes…The ones who put light in the sky are the ones who can fly. If our future is to have light, it is for our young artists to fly, for them, solstice by solstice, to bring light.  Colin is the former Artistic Director of the Limón Dance Company and has contributed seven works to CCDT repertoire.

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Nowell Sing We (1988)—Choreography by Carol Anderson 
    

Driven by the celebratory briskness of medieval carols arranged by Kirk Elliott, Nowell Sing We sets two-dimensional imagery – familiar from medieval art – into motion. Since its creation in 1988 for the inaugural WinterSong, every CCDT company member has danced in this piece.
 

A founding member and Artistic Director of Dancemakers, Carol Anderson subsequently went on to create ten works for CCDT as the company’s most prolific guest artist. She is a celebrated writer on the subject of Canadian dance and recipient of the Dance Ontario Award.

**If you're interested in booking a school matinee performance, please email Shikha at development@ccdt.org
 

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