xDancers Dancing
20.20.20

Dates & Venue 24 – 27 September 2014, 8pm | Studio D, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St

Reviewer Ed Farolan

Although I'm not much into modern/contemporary dance, I must say I was impressed by Judith Garay's choreography. Everything seemed to be intact, disciplined, especially for what you might think was improvised. The impression of improvisation was what one might gather, but in fact, it was all rehearsed, especially when all 16 dancers were all in sync.

Speaking to one of the dancers, Eloi Homier, during the reception after the show, he did say that in some parts, there was improvisation, specifically the traffic scene where the dancers avoid bumping into each other, He said that some scenes started off as improvisation but eventually was set to the production that was finally presented.

Although I do admire companies that present new choreography, I'd like to challenge them to come up with classical ballet, like Giselle or Swan Lake to prove that they are indeed professional dancers versatile enough to do contemporary as well as classical pieces.

In the programme notes, Garay says that this work is a "labour of love...inspired by Vancouver".

Kudos to dancers Robert Azevedo, Caitlin Brown, Desirée Dunbar, Thoenn Glover, Vanessa Goodman, Heather Laura Gray, Eloi Homier, Meredith Kalaman, Michael Kong, Felicia Lau, Michelle Lui, Darcy Mcmurray, Erika Mitsuhashi, Jane Osborne, Bevin Poole, Olivia Shaffer, Antonio Somera for their effort.

© 2014 Ed Farolan