From a media release:
SOULFUL MESSIAH 10th ANNIVERSARY
A Universal Holiday Tradition
Harbourfront, Toronto
December 2 - 4, 2011
Toronto, Ontario – Ten years ago, Ballet Creole's Artistic Director, Patrick Parson, set-out to create a new holiday dance tradition. A fresh, high-energy, “creolized” celebration of life, dance and music. “I wanted to do something that could parallel the appeal of The Nutcracker. Something that all cultures could find
aspirations of joy and hope.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of his creation, Soulful Messiah, which runs December 2nd to December 4th at the Fleck Dance Theatre, as part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps series.
This holiday season, Ballet Creole celebrates a decade of bringing to the stage this critically acclaimed and time-honoured production, a festive tour-de-force set to Quincy Jones’ soulful rendition of Handel’s Messiah. Backed by the uplifting vocals of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, The Boys Choir of Harlem and Stevie Wonder, to name a few, Parson's company of versatile dancers shift effortlessly on stage from one dance style to the next, blending Afro-Caribbean movement with ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance.
Soulful Messiah flows from one song to the next, unbound and unrestricted by the order of George Frederic’s original Handel’s Messiah. Parson allows the flow and feel of the music to inform and inspire his choreography, resulting in a production that leads audiences along an emotional and joyous journey to the sounds of R & B, gospel, ragtime, hip-hop, blues and big band.
“The creative progression [of the ballet] has been dealing with the styles of the sections, the artistic execution, and the ability of the dancers” says Parson of the evolution of Soulful. “Costumes and lighting are also a part of that creation and building; to eventually land at our plateau where it will be a signature Christmas piece for Ballet Creole across Canada.”
This year’s Soulful Messiah once again features tap extraordinaire David Cox (former “Stomp” dancer) alongside Parson's exuberant dance company. After a decade, Parson's Soulful Messiah continues to delight and inspire people of all ages and ethnicities. Join us for the 10th anniversary season and discover the magic of this Universal Holiday Tradition.
About Ballet Creole:
Active on the Canadian dance scene since August 1990, Ballet Creole comprises both a professional ensemble of dancers and musicians and a School of Performing Arts. While focusing on the traditional and contemporary performing arts of the Caribbean and Africa, Ballet Creole aims to establish a dynamic new artistic tradition in Canada through "creolization" or fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.
• For more information on Ballet Creole visit www.balletcreole.org.
Tickets $25 - $45 (student/senior rates available). Buy a subscription package and save! Call Harbourfront Centre box office for details at 416.973.4000 or online at www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
Take advantage of our EXCLUSIVE offer to see two Ballet Creole productions, Soulful Messiah (Dec. 2-4, 2011) and Exodus (March 8-10, 2012) for one low price of either $55 or $75. Please contact the box office directly at 416.973.4000 for this exclusive value package rate.
SOULFUL MESSIAH 10th ANNIVERSARY
A Universal Holiday Tradition
Harbourfront, Toronto
December 2 - 4, 2011
Toronto, Ontario – Ten years ago, Ballet Creole's Artistic Director, Patrick Parson, set-out to create a new holiday dance tradition. A fresh, high-energy, “creolized” celebration of life, dance and music. “I wanted to do something that could parallel the appeal of The Nutcracker. Something that all cultures could find
aspirations of joy and hope.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of his creation, Soulful Messiah, which runs December 2nd to December 4th at the Fleck Dance Theatre, as part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps series.This holiday season, Ballet Creole celebrates a decade of bringing to the stage this critically acclaimed and time-honoured production, a festive tour-de-force set to Quincy Jones’ soulful rendition of Handel’s Messiah. Backed by the uplifting vocals of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, The Boys Choir of Harlem and Stevie Wonder, to name a few, Parson's company of versatile dancers shift effortlessly on stage from one dance style to the next, blending Afro-Caribbean movement with ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance.
Soulful Messiah flows from one song to the next, unbound and unrestricted by the order of George Frederic’s original Handel’s Messiah. Parson allows the flow and feel of the music to inform and inspire his choreography, resulting in a production that leads audiences along an emotional and joyous journey to the sounds of R & B, gospel, ragtime, hip-hop, blues and big band.
“The creative progression [of the ballet] has been dealing with the styles of the sections, the artistic execution, and the ability of the dancers” says Parson of the evolution of Soulful. “Costumes and lighting are also a part of that creation and building; to eventually land at our plateau where it will be a signature Christmas piece for Ballet Creole across Canada.”This year’s Soulful Messiah once again features tap extraordinaire David Cox (former “Stomp” dancer) alongside Parson's exuberant dance company. After a decade, Parson's Soulful Messiah continues to delight and inspire people of all ages and ethnicities. Join us for the 10th anniversary season and discover the magic of this Universal Holiday Tradition.
About Ballet Creole:
Active on the Canadian dance scene since August 1990, Ballet Creole comprises both a professional ensemble of dancers and musicians and a School of Performing Arts. While focusing on the traditional and contemporary performing arts of the Caribbean and Africa, Ballet Creole aims to establish a dynamic new artistic tradition in Canada through "creolization" or fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.
• For more information on Ballet Creole visit www.balletcreole.org.
Tickets $25 - $45 (student/senior rates available). Buy a subscription package and save! Call Harbourfront Centre box office for details at 416.973.4000 or online at www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
Take advantage of our EXCLUSIVE offer to see two Ballet Creole productions, Soulful Messiah (Dec. 2-4, 2011) and Exodus (March 8-10, 2012) for one low price of either $55 or $75. Please contact the box office directly at 416.973.4000 for this exclusive value package rate.
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