Dancers from across Vancouver Island are hitting the Nanaimo Port Theatre’s stage during Dance Odyssey.
The event, presented by Dancestreams Youth Dance Company, showcases the talents of more than 200 young dancers from 16 studios, hailing from Victoria to Port McNeill.
“Everybody sends the best from their studio. It’s completely non-competitive. Everyone is there to support each other,” said Pattie MacKenzie, artistic director of Dancestreams.
The youngest dancers are about 10 years old and the oldest are 20.
“It’s an exciting program and we are very excited about this. There is something for everybody,” said MacKenzie.
Audience members can enjoy a variety of dance styles including classical ballet, lyrical jazz and modern and contemporary.
“This show is a powerhouse of energy and enthusiasm,” said MacKenzie, in a press release.
The show opens with a piece created by Heather Myers, The Vanished Ones.
“She’s an amazing dancer and choreographer and we are thrilled she is going to dance for us,” said MacKenzie.
Myers has worked as a choreographer for theatres and institutions in the Netherlands, Springboard Danse Montreal, Ballet Kelowna and Citie Ballet of Edmonton. She has experience in a wide range of dance styles from classical to experimental.
Her piece is a contemporary number that requires the dancers to use very fluid movements with their bodies, said MacKenzie, adding it is a technically challenging piece.
Dancestreams has worked with youth for more than three decades. The dancers gather once per week for a six hour rehearsal.
MacKenzie said some of the dancers, such as one from Port McNeill, travel for hours to the mid Island to come train with the dance company.
This year’s event includes dancers from Nanaimo’s Vibrant Dance, Tempo Dance Academy and Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts.
Dancestreams’ Dance Odyssey will be presented Saturday (Feb. 6), 7:30 p.m. at the Nanaimo Port Theatre. Tickets are $22 or $17 for a group of 10 or more.
For tickets please call 250-754-8550 or go to www.port
theatre.com.
In addition to the performance, Dancestreams is also hosting a master class with Victoria choreographer Constance Cooke.
Cooke has taught in dance schools across Canada. She has won numerous awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, B.C. Arts Council and other foundations.
The classes begin at 11 a.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre and are for ages 10 and up.
There are three levels of classes offered. The classes are $20 and pre-registration is required by e-mailing dance
streams@shaw.ca or www.dancestreams.ca.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
