SOLAR FUSION is a choreographic dance showcase, premiering August 17th at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto. This showcase was created by artists Taylor Collis & Tyler Hutchings, with the premise of providing a formal platform for choreographers to share their work.
We talk about the impetus behind their upcoming showcase, why Taylor is feeling ready to share her newest piece, the continuation of Tyler’s previous piece, their efforts to outreach, and what keeps them going.
Follow the showcase on Instagram: @solarfusionshowcase
Contact: solarfusionshow@gmail.com
Connect with Taylor on Instagram: @taylorcollis
Connect with Tyler on Instagram: @taylorhutchings
References to check out:
Brandon Croisetiere's "VALIDATE ME" performed by Vlad's Dance Company
"Amusing Ourselves To Death" by Neil Postman
“Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia and Bill Gifford
Taylor is a multi-faceted movement coordinator and facilitator, based out of Mississauga. We talk about working in non-traditional rehearsal spaces, why her experience with Frog in Hand has been special, how she learned to let go of doubt, returning to her career after childbirth, the process behind the mixed bill “SUMMER DANCES”. Connect with Taylor on Instagram: @taylorboj
Tickets for “SUMMER DANCES” running July 11-13 and 18-20
This episode was made possible by Frog in Hand's Arts Activation Residency. The Art Shelter is a new home for Mississauga-based dance theatre company Frog in Hand, located off-grid in a geo-desic dome.
Micha is a dance artist and designer from Toronto who embraces different practices and ways of learning wherever he may find himself. We talk about remounting “The Fall” on the Summer Company after six years, how his flying dream was weaved into the original piece, why he incorporates acting techniques when physically storytelling, transforming the body to create the weirdness, and what time away from dance has offered him.
Connect with Micha on Instagram: @michabaltman
Tickets for “SUMMER DANCES” running July 11-13 and 18-20
This episode was made possible by Frog in Hand's Arts Activation Residency. The Art Shelter is a new home for Mississauga-based dance theatre company Frog in Hand, located off-grid in a geo-desic dome.
Jada is a multimedia creator, film enthusiast, and creative professional, currently enhancing her expertise in all aspects of production and marketing. We talk about embracing the off-grid conditions of The Art Shelter, how she builds a story from the costumes, crafting the marketing plan for Frog in Hand’s summer season, her work as a youth advocate, and why she intersects her photography practice with her activism.
Connect with Jada on Instagram: @babyyjada27
Tickets for “SUMMER DANCES” running July 11-13 and 18-20
This episode was made possible by Frog in Hand's Arts Activation Residency. The Art Shelter is a new home for Mississauga-based dance theatre company Frog in Hand, located off-grid in a geo-desic dome.
Host and producer Bri Clarke checks in to express gratitude in this bonus episode. Thank you for tuning in!
(Art)versations. A meditative conversation about the artistic process. A tool that ignites transformative ideas.
Hosted and produced by Bri Clarke
Branding and creative consulting by Jan Marquez
Jan is an art director and creative consultant, currently based in Toronto. We talk about how branding is actually about problem solving, being a jack-of-all-trades, the essential questions a creator should answer, and how he eradicates boredom by inspiring himself.
Connect with Jan: jm@janmarquez.ca
References to check out:
Meaningful Movement is an arts organization, founded by Abbey Richens and Zuri Skeete, dedicated to nurturing community and opportunities for artists of all mediums. We talk about how they united as a collective during the pandemic, what they currently find meaningful, facilitating events like “Gathering” and “@profile”, and providing third spaces for artists of all kinds.
Connect with Meaningful Movement:
Email: themeaningfullmovement@gmail.com
References to check out:
John is a Palestinian-Canadian composer, pianist and electronic musician based between Toronto and Berlin, who creates what he calls "Baroque-Middle-Eastern-Cyberpunk". We talk about the process behind his commission for the National Arts Centre orchestra, why he feels more free in his visual arts practice, how he uses his concerts to address what is happening in Palestine, the various complexities of Palestinian identity, and nocturnally creating his album “Time Sketches” in three weeks.
Connect with John:
References to check out:
Jeyolyn is a Tamil-Canadian multidisciplinary artist who explores the intersection of photography and storytelling. We talk about combining photography and writing, facilitating workshops in Amsterdam for BIPOC artists, being in-residence with FACES Collective TO, the longevity of her art, and writing her book “I Crossed the Ocean” to enact social change.
Connect with Jeyolyn: Instagram: @jeyolyn Website: www.jeyolynchristi.com
Artists/Communities mentioned: Yalini Dream: @yalinidream
FACES Collective TO: @facescollectiveto
(Art)versations is back in conversation with Frog in Hand! The Art Shelter is a new home for Mississauga-based dance theatre company Frog In Hand. In this roundtable episode, we join Artistic Director Colleen Snell, The Fifth Dance co-founder Sarahí Cárdenas, and artists involved in Directions for Dance: Candace Kumar, Clarke Blair, and Abby Silvera. We share findings from our week of classes, how communities can be connected and visible to one another, where dance is heading, and Frog in Hand's future plans for The Art Shelter.
Connect with Frog in Hand: https://linktr.ee/froginhand
Visit The Art Shelter at 887 Hydro Road in Mississauga
Connect with Mandy MacLean (Arts Activation Coordinator): @mandyemaclean
Connect with The Fifth Dance: @thefifthdance
Connect with Candace: @candacekmr
Connect with Clarke: @clarrrke
Connect with Abby: @abby.silvera
Connect with The Eagle Spirits: @eaglespiritsgreatwaters
The Eagle Spirits are a not-for-profit group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people celebrating, and creating space for Indigenous art and culture along the north shores of Lake Ontario.
Connect with Callahan: @elixirtheft
The cast and choreographer of Unfurl enter a roundtable conversation with Bri to dig deeper into the artistic process and themes of the show. The new work will be premiering at the upcoming Toronto Fringe Festival show. Performances run July 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, and 16th at the Alumnae Theatre.
Buy tickets to Unfurl- linktr.ee/unfurl2023
Connect with Alli- linktr.ee/allicarry
Connect with Marina on Instagram- @marinaaelyse
Connect with Mio- linktr.ee/Mio_Sakamoto
Connect with Reece:
Instagram- @reececcaldwell
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/reece.caldwell.9
Connect with Simon:
Instagram- @simonmazziotti
Dedra is a new-generation Black artist-researcher, emerging curator, and movement dramaturg based in Tkaronto. We talk about the practice of dramaturgy, why she was drawn to it, the people who inspire her to continue, and how to invite skepticism when an artist’s confidence aims too high.
This collaboration between Dedra and Bri was made possible by Jaberi Dance Theatre, through their 2023 Mentorship Program. Thank you to Roshanak, Adina and Jessica for providing time and space to research, share and explore. Funded by the Government of Canada, The Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund.
Follow Dedra on Instagram: @dancingdramaturg
For contact: dedramcdermott.artist@gmail.com
Calling all artists 25 & under! The Performing Arts Project (TPAP) is a nonprofit organization formed by a group of respected educators and entertainment industry professionals to help prepare the next generation of performers. TPAP Artistic Director Jonathan Bernstein Zooms in to reveal the mission behind TPAP, the programs and opportunities offered, and discuss how trusting our community can help artists fail forward in their creative processes.
Check out the website for information on how to audition!
Instagram/Facebook/TikTok/YouTube: @perfartsproj
Alvin is a Berlin-based dance artist, drag performer, and teacher, with certifications in Gaga and Jungian Life Coaching. We talk about how 3 years of “Dose of Pleasure” sessions came to be, why their drag is a love letter to those who came before, permitting radical self-acceptance into his work, how their queer artistry spills into his growth as a performer, and their advice for dancers who dream of travel.
Connect with Alvin: https://linktr.ee/alvincollantes
Follow their Instagram: www.instagram.com/alvincollantesdance
Check out more of his offerings: www.alvincollantes.com
Oversize Load is a queer-led community art project serving artists and art lovers, situated in Tkaronto. In this round table episode, Arin, Morgyn and Kaelin talk about the mission behind "Blank Space", discuss technique’s role in class, why they aim to continuously expand their outreach, and they reveal the facilitators for upcoming sessions.
Join Bri on Feb 28th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/blank-space-this-february-tickets-528577087297
Apply to facilitate: https://linktr.ee/oversize.load
Instagram: @oversize.load
More from Arin: @aronaronhell
More from Morgyn: @m0rg_y_n
More from Kaelin: @kaelinbaby
Kevin is a LA-bound dancer, choreographer and movement teacher. We talk about his connection to musicality and percussion, why he is embracing a mix of film and concert work, how working with Anne Plamondon challenged his process, making the hypothetical jump to work in the US, and his upcoming commission at Cawthra Park Secondary School.
Stay connected with Kevin: https://linktr.ee/kmlau
Follow his Instagram: @___kevinmatthewlau
Contact: kevinmlau0@gmail.com
BONUS: Take a trip down memory lane with host Bri to hear from artists about their 2022 creative endeavours.
(Art)versations is a meditative conversation about the artistic process.
Guest artists featured:
Zachary Bastille @zacharybastille
Audrianna Martin Del Campo @audriannamartindelcampo
Luke Kimball @lukekimballacting
Tavia Christina @nearfarprojects
Charlene Dinger @charlenedinger
Katie Adams-Gossage @katieadamsgossage
Ace Kazkayasi @acekazkayasi
Frances Lorraine Samson @frances_samson
Sarahí Cárdenas @sarahicardenas
Jillian Robinson @jillian.robinson96
Chantelle Good @chantelle_good
Follow the podcast on IG for more content: @artversationspod
Chantelle is a New York City-based performer, choreographer, and teaching artist. We talk about the divine timing of her newest project, her work as Programs Director of Share the Movement, choreographing “tethered to your palms” for ProArte Danza, acting as Artistic Associate with TOES FOR DANCE, and why she is prioritizing joy.
Follow Chantelle on Instagram: @chantelle_good
Donate to Share the Movement: https://linktr.ee/ShareTheMovement
Donate to TOES FOR DANCE’s “BrighTEN”: https://www.toesfordance.ca/donate
Jillian is a Toronto-based actor, singer, and the associate producer for Cup of Hemlock Theatre. We talk about self-care as an essential part of working in an ensemble, how dramaturgy initiates her process as an actor, keeping Cup of Hemlock Theatre alive, and covering the role of Buttons for TYT Theatre’s “Cinderella Panto”.
Follow Jillian on Instagram: @jillian.robinson96
Get tickets to “Cinderella Panto”: https://tickets.ticketwise.com/event/cinderella-musical-panto
Follow Cup of Hemlock on Instagram: @cohtheatre
Check out “The Cup” episode Bri guested on: https://youtu.be/Tarcr5zBVf4
Sarahí is a dance educator, graphic designer, and the founder of The Fifth Dance. We talk about her early training in Monterrey, dealing with intense pressures from a company director, fostering a community for creation at The Fifth, how she advocates for healthier movement practices, and where classical ballet stands now.
Follow Sarahí on Instagram: @sarahicardenas
Sign up for Bri’s Halloween class at The Fifth: https://www.thefifthdance.com/schedule
Follow The Fifth on Instagram: @thefifthdance
View more classes and content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwh3jpsPZKfEEcd5fhJ_MLQ
Donate to The Fifth’s Community Support Fund: https://www.thefifthdance.com/community-support-fund
