Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre will be performing in Montreal at the Place des Arts between April 19 – 21st. On the program are five pieces, including two Alvin Ailey classics Revelations and Streams, as well as three newer pieces In/Side, Takademe, and The Hunt choreographed by recently appointed Artistic Director Robert Battle. Don’t miss this chance to see one of the world’s greatest dance companies on stage!
Author Archives: Artmistice Dance
Sugar Shacking with Style and Goodwill
On March 30th, Artmistice was proud to be part of a great fundraising event putting a modern twist to a cherished Quebec tradition. Harmonising Quebec gigue with tap dance and stepping, the Artmistice dancers gave a unique and electrifying performance never seen before. Congratulations and many thanks to the talented dancers and collaborative efforts of the exceptional choreographers for creating such a memorable (and shall we say sweet?) piece.
MonstaPop and Venom Represent Canada
Congratulations to MonstaPop and Venom who were among only 144 dancers selected around the world to compete at the Juste Debout Street Dance Festival and competition in France on March 11th. MonstaPop and Venom made history as the very first dancers to represent Canada in the popping component of the competition. While they did not bring home the big prize, we are extremely proud of these guys for placing 2nd! They came back with their heads held high and pumped for next year. Amazing job, guys! Check out their performance here.
Compagnie Käfig at Place Des Arts April 12-14
The Compagnie Käfig of the Centre Chorégraphique National de Créteil et de Val-de-Marne will be performing at the Place des Arts from April 12 to 14. Set to a mix of samba, hip hop, capoeira, bossa nova, and electronic music, the group will be presenting two pieces, Correria and Agwa, choreographed by company founder and director, Mourad Merzouki.
Passion Portrait: Kim Russell
KIM RUSSELL-
WRITER-
Ask any artist if they chose their career or if their path was predetermined for them; and I’d wager a bet – their answer leans toward them following their destiny. In my journey, I have faced numerous career choices and all too often I chose wrong. I’ve been a recruiter, a real estate developer, an exporter, and a tax preparer. I have a BA in theater and a Master in Business Administration. In each profession I reached a moderate level of success, UNTIL, I hit a brick wall during the journey. A familiar brick wall – one laced with boredom, resistance, a sense of nowhere else to go, sometimes failure and sometimes panic. The brick wall that signaled a time for change!
So here I am – in my 50’s – turning to the arts for a career. At a time when I should be rounding out my retirement nest egg, I’m beefing up my performance and writing portfolio. At a time when I should be thinking just 15 years to go before hitting the retirement road in an RV – I’m planning the next five years around booking conferences, auditions, and playwriting competitions.
So why do I do this at this stage in my life? I have no other choice. The doors keep opening and the path seems solid, unfettered, and promising. It is a risk. But for the first time in my life I believe it is a well-calculated risk. The arts are a-calling me – and I’m packed and ready.
Have you answered the call?
The Talent Drain
The literature competition, Canada Reads was on the CBC recently. The book debate show got on the topic of Canadian artists building careers, and sometimes finding fame, only once they’ve crossed the border south to the US. This got me thinking about all of those for whom that rung true: Justin Bieber, Ryan Gosling, Sandra Bullock, Steve Martin, Mike Meyers, and so many more. It’s not only huge stars; many friends and dancers I’ve worked with have left the country looking for, above all else, work. This issue is relevant for most types of artists.
I moved to Europe for a while. I wasn’t making the big bucks, but at least I did not need a second or even a third job – unrelated to my craft – to make ends meet. Canada is plagued by many symptoms for this talent ‘brain drain’ with a cocktail of reasons and excuses that lead to nowhere. I refuse to believe that we are any less talented than our neighbours to the south or our cousins across the Atlantic.
Then I came across an interview with actor Jay Baruchel. Having shot to stardom in Hollywood, he never forgot his roots. He still lives in Montreal and continues to make films here. He recently starred in the movie The Trotsky, a hilarious and proudly Montreal film that garnered stellar reviews. He explained why he chooses to continue making films here by saying: “ I without a doubt think that this is the best country that the world has come up with so far, so why wouldn’t I want to make movies here?”
We can continue pointing fingers at where we think things have gone wrong. But the only thing that we can do to inspire any progress is to support our Canadian artists and the works of art that are still produced here. As artists, we create every day. So why not create a demand?
Juggling…A Work in Progress!
You know you have an interesting job when extra training calls for…juggling classes. It may look simple, but it’s surprisingly difficult to achieve. Being our self-assured, yet perhaps a little naive selves, we were convinced that with our routine abilities to dissect movement, juggling could be learned by watching a few step-by-step YouTube videos. There’s no need to say, we completely overestimated our talents. Thanks to a friend who kindly offered us a couple of classes, we may not have mastered the discipline completely, but we certainly acquired a new skill. Hats off to all you jugglers out there, especially you, Mr & Mrs fire/axe/knife juggler!
Artmistice Under The Big Top!
The team was recently part of a major fundraising event inspired by the 1920’s vintage circus world. Appointed with the task of complementing this tremendous evening with a death-defying performance by our very own knife thrower, the cast included a strong man, a gypsy, a lion tamer, a magician, and variety of whimsical characters. Artmistice swung and soared in what was a very challenging, but incredibly enjoyable evening. Thanks to all who made this evening a success!
Passion Portrait: Sébastien Desrosiers
SÉBASTIEN DESROSIERS-
VIDEOGRAPHER-
Sébastien Desrosiers website
“I remember making my first videos in elementary school on big VHS tapes. Later on, when I got my own recording and editing equipment, I really started tripping out! I was making videos of everything: films for my school work, dance shows, video clips and road movies when I’d go to the cottage with my friends.
A few cameras later, I now work in conceiving and producing promotional videos for business’ and artists. My objective is to make people who work passionately on projects shine.
My career brings me a lot of joy and pride, but also a lot of responsibility and stress, not to mention irregular working hours. Like many freelance workers, I sometimes ask myself why I’m in this crazy profession rather than be in a normal 9-to-5 job with a boss and a coffee machine.
What pushes me to continue, among other things, is the ability to make my own schedule and my own coffee – which is frankly better than what you get in office buildings! I strive to make a difference for my clients with every production I undertake. Because at the end of the day, my main objective is to touch people visually.
Also, and above all, what motivates me is a sense of pride when I’ve managed to create something beautiful, that magic moment where I smile and tell myself: wow, I just made gold there!”
Démo BPM Delarosas from sebastian delarosas on Vimeo.
Passion Portrait: Marianne Girard
MARIANNE GIRARD-
VISUAL ARTS-
“In my case, I don’t really think that I chose to be an artist; I was exposed, at a very young age, to circus arts, dance, and visual arts and the trajectory sort of traced itself.
The uncertain and contractual side of these sectors was instilled in me at a young age, which allowed me to become familiar with the negative sides that some may fear. I had the opportunity to learn very early on to adapt myself to different situations and variables. I was then able to make an informed choice to stay in the field and develop my career towards where I wanted it to go.
It was always obvious to me that there was more positive aspects than negative ones in having a career in the arts. You must, at the very least, have a good tolerance for uncertainty and change, be comfortable working alone (at least in visual arts), and love what you do unconditionally. No matter what career you choose, there will be always challenges and disappointments. However, I have creative freedom and the opportunity to be autonomous and independent. I also have the possibility to work wherever I want without feeling locked down. I love managing my own time and constantly reinventing myself. I also have a strong sense of accomplishment and pride when I create a piece of art from an idea, a feeling, a person into something very unique. I also enjoy what I do for the process of researching and experimenting which is very interesting on a personal level. No limits are imposed other than those that we impose upon ourselves.”
