Ballet Kelowna ushers in the New Year with its presentation of Winter: a refreshing mixed program at the Kelowna Community Theatre on Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
A fervent, up-tempo response to the season害羞草研究所檚 icy chill, Winter features the thrilling tango-inspired world premiere of Cuatro Estaciones from Ballet Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 visionary artistic director and CEO Simone Orlando, as well as the return of two audience favourites 害羞草研究所� Wen Wei Wang害羞草研究所檚 dynamic work 1723 害羞草研究所� Vivaldi, commissioned for Ballet Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 15th anniversary season in 2017, and Orlando害羞草研究所檚 stirring and soulful contemporary dance piece Studies of Cash, inspired by the musical stylings of country legend Johnny Cash and his infamous 1968 concert at Folsom Prison.
害羞草研究所淲ith Winter, we continue 2018/2019害羞草研究所檚 ethereal exploration of the seasons in all their powerful glory. These works mirror the nuances of nature害羞草研究所檚 cyclical rhythms by showcasing their qualities in inspired dance performance,害羞草研究所� said Orlando. 害羞草研究所淲e are overjoyed to present the remounting of two of Ballet Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 most successful works, as well as the tango-inspired new creation Cuatro Estaciones. We invite guests to combat their winter blues with our rejuvenating, upbeat evening of dance.害羞草研究所�
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The program will open with the return of the Ballet Kelowna-commissioned 1723 颅害羞草研究所� Vivaldi by one of the country害羞草研究所檚 most in-demand choreographers, Chinese-Canadian dance luminary Wen Wei Wang. Featuring extreme technical prowess from its sextet of dancers, with complex pointe work and powerful extensions, 1723 害羞草研究所� Vivaldi is an evocative display of winter害羞草研究所檚 stark surroundings 害羞草研究所� bare, mesmerizing, and haunting. Set to a moving, minimalist re-composition of Vivaldi害羞草研究所檚 The Four Seasons by composer Max Richter, with dancers dressed all in white, the piece is reminiscent of the season害羞草研究所檚 purpose within our natural surroundings 害羞草研究所� a time of restoration and transformation, and of the heady anticipation of the rebirth that is yet to come.
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The evening continues with the return of Orlando害羞草研究所檚 stirring and soulful contemporary dance piece Studies of Cash. Featuring the heartfelt and often humorous music of country legend Johnny Cash from his life-changing 1968 concert at Folsom Prison, the multi-faceted work explores concepts of confinement and imprisonment. While Orlando has always admired Cash, this piece was borne out of an unscheduled overnight stop in Merritt, B.C. due to a snowstorm in early 2007. Poor weather conditions on Highway 5 forced Orlando and her mother off the road. They found shelter and food at a local hotel where it was karaoke night. One of the patrons delivered a spirited rendition of Ring of Fire, sparking Orlando to pursue her own interpretation of Cash害羞草研究所檚 songs through movement. The end result was Studies of Cash, a breathtaking work that looks behind prison walls both manmade and self-imposed. The piece also reflects the isolation one typically feels during the cold months of winter.
To conclude the program, audience members will be transported to the infectious rhythms and colourful spirit of Buenos Aires, Argentina in the evocative world premiere of Cuatro Estaciones choreographed by Ballet Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 own Orlando. This tango-infused work breathes a vibrant passion into the evening害羞草研究所檚 program, counteracting the Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 overcast skies and cool temperatures, and will feature the dynamic talents of the full company performing fiery steps in stunning group formations and seductive duets.
The fresh interpretation of Cuatro Estaciones is inspired by and set to virtuoso composer Astor Piazzolla害羞草研究所檚 Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. The choreography is influenced by the bold innovativeness of Piazzolla, whose original compositions revolutionized the traditional Argentine tango by incorporating elements of jazz and classical music into a new style known as neuvo tango. Orlando, one of BC害羞草研究所檚 most renowned dancers and winner of the Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award, set forth to infuse ballet害羞草研究所檚 contemporary lines with the intricate, expressive elements of Argentine tango.
Newly arranged by Ukrainian composer Leonid Desyatnikov, Piazzolla害羞草研究所檚 masterful Four Seasons of Buenos Aires is contrasted with Vivaldi害羞草研究所檚 The Four Seasons. Desyatnikov brilliantly layers the music from each piece representing opposing seasons from different hemispheres upon one another so that the two worlds become interconnected, offering a momentary bridge between the divide. In the same way, Orlando害羞草研究所檚 work masterfully blends two genres of dance, creating a dialogue between the two that blurs their distinction, and as a result forms an exciting, multi-faceted performance.
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