From Afro-Brazilian dances to hip hop, contemporary movement and ballet, and the musical strains of Björk, Pink Floyd, K-os and the Calgary School of Samba, the University of Calgary Dance Montage has an eclectic mixture for all. “It’s a good outlet because of the variety, so you can really test the water on things,” choreographer Annalisa Bentzen says.
Bentzen, who has choreographed for past Montages, appreciates the event’s freedom from restriction for emerging and experienced artists. “It gives you the opportunity to explore in different genres. As a choreographer, unless you make your own show, there’s not many other outlets,” she says, noting that few shows also have open call auditions for the dance community.
Her piece, 18k or just plated?, described as “stylized contemporary-funk,” has each performer exploring their own created characters through research and movement. “I was researching how diva-type office ladies are,” she says, noting the piece includes quirky movement that frees up when the dancers let go of their golden accessories. “I asked them who their particular character would be. I wanted them to choose their own character and become that person.”
The created characters, who Bentzen playfully calls her “bubbleheads,” explore what the audience may see on the surface of Top Model-type women, and the depth of who the individuals might be underneath.
Dancer Towani Duchscher is back performing in Montage, after a number of years’ hiatus. “It’s just a lot of fun. I love the fact that it’s so diverse in style,” she says. Duchscher herself is performing in once upon a life of rhythms!, an Afro-Brazilian piece choreographed by Barbara Oliveira and Jude Dachowski, as well as Nicole Pemberton’s uncharted journey, a jazzy-funk number with a live band. “It’s been great to work with both those styles in both pieces,” she says, adding that the switch between styles is aided by hours of rehearsals and the music itself. “The music helps guide your movement.”
Dancer Natasha Korney is performing in four pieces this year, with choreography ranging from contemporary, vogue and fusion. “They are all different styles, and have different feels to them. Each piece has something different, and that’s what keeps me going through the day,” she says.
U of C student Donald Jones has performed in Montage for more than half a decade. “I think the best thing about Dance Montage is that you get to meet dancers from all over the city,” he says, adding that there aren’t many events in Calgary that do that. “In all the numbers, there’s people I’ve been dancing with since I started performing in Montage, and people that are new. It just closes that gap, and that’s very cool.”
Student Jason Owin F. Galeos co-choreographed battle zone 2 k 7 with Paul Lozada. As the final act of the event, it is notable for its male dance cast, as well as for being eight minutes of total energy. Galeos is in his third year in the U of C dance program. This is his first year choreographing for Montage. “I want to show the old-school style of hip hop, from the Electric Boogaloos and breakdancers to the new school that is also part of hip hop — stomping, stepping and krumping,” he says. “I wanted the two groups to show each others’ sides.
“This is the first time for me to be seeing stepping in Calgary,” he adds. “I wanted to get that style out there as well as maintain the root for it.”
