Last fall, Toronto welcomed its first three-day dance festival to critical acclaim and an enthusiastic, sold out audience. Returning for its second season, Fall for Dance North will take over the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts from October 5-7 and will feature 11 acclaimed Canadian and international dance companies, including two festival commissions by Ottawa-based dancer/choreographer Natasha Bakht, and Toronto-based competitive ballroom dancer Maria Shalvarova and her partner Alon Gilin.
What really caught my attention was that all tickets were and are once again available for only $15 for any seat and will go on sale on Friday August 12 at 10am with full festival programing announced on August 8th at www.ffdnorth.com.
“The first year of Fall for Dance North exceeded all our expectations. Toronto has a growing appetite for high-quality Canadian and international dance and we are proud to present our Festival to this culturally infused city,” said Ilter Ibrahimof, Artist Director. “We are very excited to announce the dates for the second edition, and look forward to building on the energy and the momentum from the first year. We can’t wait to reveal the full line-up in August!”
About this year’s Festival Commissions:
- Ottawa-based dancer/choreographer Natasha Bakhtwill create 786, a new solo exploring the sacred in the everyday, with a particula r focus on Muslim rituals and the Islamic call to prayer. She will be joined on stage with Montreal-based musicians Pierre-Yves Martel and Alexander MacSween, who will compose original music for the piece.
- Toronto-based competitive ballroom dancer Maria Shalvarovaand her partner Alon Gilin will create a new work showcasing various styles of Latin American dances, including Paso Doble, Brazilian Samba and the Cuban Rumba. Champions both as a couple and individuals, Maria and Alon will take the theme of love – what else? – to create an intimate and passionate duet showcasing their incredible technique and speed. Live musicians will accompany the couple.
“It is our pleasure as co-presenter of the festival to welcome its second edition to the Sony Centre,” said Mark Hammond, CEO and Director, Programming, Sony Centre For The Performing Arts. “Successful beyond all expectations last year, we fully anticipate the same energetic support and social media buzz this coming October.”
Inspired by the internationally acclaimed Fall for Dance™ festival, created and established in 2004 by New York City Center, this year’s festival will include three evening performances and a new matinee performance. Once again promising a dynamic and diverse mix of dance forms, audiences will enjoy classical and modern ballet, contemporary hip hop, ballroom, folkloric and more for just $10 a seat, anywhere in the house. Fall for Dance North once again will offer free master classes throughout the city by each participating artist, and two pre-show Artist Talks for Festival ticket holders and a wider audience via a live stream.
The festival will also play host to Canada’s National Ballet School’s Sharing Dance, 2016 routine. Sharing Dance is an initiative motivating Canadians of all ages to participate in free, healthy, fun and creative dance activities. The 2016 routine was choreographed by Kevin Ormsby to Jully Black’s Sweat of Your Brow, and will be performed first at Yonge-Dundas Square on Friday, June 3rd before coming to Fall for Dance North in October. More details to be announced.
Tickets go on sale on Friday August 12 at 10am. Full festival program will be announced on August 8th at www.ffdnorth.com.
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