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Kaha:wi Dance Theatre to premiere new work for young audiences at the Centre for the Arts, Brock University in St. Catharines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: St. Catharines, Ontario, February 6, 2012…Centre for the Arts, Brock University will present the world premiere of Medicine Bear, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s new work for young audiences in the David S. Howes Theatre on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. There will be outreach events within the community leading up to the performance, followed by two school performances on February 21.
Medicine Bear is a multi-media dance experience created for young and family audiences co-produced with the Woodland Cultural Centre. Through whimsical music, dance and storytelling, Medicine Bear weaves into one narrative two traditional Iroquoian stories: how the Bear Clan became known as the “Keeper of the Medicines” and the story of the hunter who discovered the gift of medicines. Medicine Bear shares teachings of compassion, thankfulness and respect for nature.
Medicine Bear is created by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s artistic director Santee Smith. Smith is from the Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan and resides in her home community, Six Nations. She is alumni of Canada’s National Ballet School and recipient of numerous awards including the Chalmer’s Award, K.M. Hunter Award for Dance, and the Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award for her unique style of choreography, a fusion between contemporary dance and Aboriginal styles of dance. One of Canada’s most exciting choreographers Santee has propelled KDT to international acclaim. Her performances and collaborations have occurred in Canada, United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan and Indonesia.
The design team for Medicine Bear includes musical composer Donald Quan, a four time Gemini Award nominee and a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award recipient. His successful albums “Tears of the Sun” and “Invocata” have earned him worldwide acclaim. Production design for Medicine Bear is created by the dynamic duo Andy Moro and Gabriella Caruso from Red Pepper Spectacle Arts. Andy and Gabi have been working in community arts for over 20 years and over this period of time have earned a Dora Mavor Moore Award with six other nominations. They work with a wide variety of mediums including theatre design, story creation, mask making, mosaics, puppetry, painting and video creation.
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (pronounced ga-HAH-wee) is one of Canada’s leading Aboriginal contemporary dance companies, founded in 2005 by Mohawk Artistic Director/ Choreographer Santee Smith from Six Nations. KDT exists to contribute and share Aboriginal artistic expression with the world while maintaining a strong home base in Toronto. A versatile company, KDT runs a summer Aboriginal Dance Training program, collaborates internationally, self-produces in Canada and has performed in international festivals in Australia, Japan, Mexico and the United States.
Tickets for Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s Medicine Bear on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 2:30 p.m are $20 each or $70 for a family four pack. Group prices are available. Don’t delay – contact the Box Office today to reserve your tickets at 905 688 5550 x3257 or online at www.arts.brocku.ca (artist audio/video clips are also available online).
Kaha: wi Dance Theatre Sponsor Credits: Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Woodland Cultural Centre, Miziwe Biik and Canada’s National Ballet School.
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