The Capitol Centre played host to approximately 300 dance enthusiasts Tuesday evening as the Toronto Dance Theatre performed its 90-minute program titled "House Mix." The programme reflected the career of award-winning Artistic Director Christopher House with excerpts of some of his most renowned works.
Capitol Centre President Robert Palangio presented House with a certificate and pin on behalf of the City of North Bay in appreciation of his achievements in dance – most recently his acceptance of the Order of Canada, according to a release by the group.
OntarioDances Program, now in its eighth year of presenting dance and helping develop an audience for dance in the area, presented a pre-show talk to over 40 people with Christopher House, capturing his views on dance as an art medium and enlightening their appreciation for dance through a choreographer’s viewpoint.
Following the performance presented by the Toronto Dance Theatre, audience members were treated to a talk-back session by the dance company.
With funding from the Ontario Arts Council in partnership with the Capitol Centre, the next dance event will occur November 13 – 17, when North Bay hosts Propeller Dance Company, broadening people’s acceptance of diversity while promoting a holistic view of the body, and inspiring people with disabilities to take up dance.
Propeller’s performances are known to shake people out of their previous fears and beliefs about people with disabilities by demonstrating that “we are all able”. Original, innovative movement is sourced from each individual dancer and built into dynamic choreographies that are relevant to diverse bodies and minds.
The OntarioDances program has successfully introduced structured and choreographed movement to so many people – all ages – from infants to nonagenarians, and all body types – hockey players to hockey parents, and able-bodied to persons with restricted mobility.
