Ballet Kelowna marks its triumphant return to the stage with its presentation of Resurgence at the Kelowna Community Theatre on November 5 and 6, in strict compliance with provincial health and safety regulations.
A diverse and invigorating program of contemporary and classical works, Resurgence features world premieres from two emerging Canadian choreographic talents — The Forever Part from former Ballet BC dancer Kirsten Wicklundand Celestial Mechanics by award-winning choreographer and former National Ballet of Canada (NBOC) First Soloist Robert Stephen.
The program will also showcase the return of the joyful and exuberant audience favourite, Petrushka, choreographed by Canadian choreographer Heather Dotto.
“With Resurgence, we invite audiences to rejoice with us in our return to live performance, and also in our ongoing commitment to the presentation of emerging and established Canadian dancers and choreographers,” says Simone Orlando, Ballet Kelowna’s artistic director and CEO.
“Through the commissioning of these works from rising choreographers, Ballet Kelowna offers not only the space to revitalize creativity for these artists, but also to kick-start our new season with a program of breathtaking works that showcase the striking athleticism and artistry of Ballet Kelowna’s company of artists.”
Wicklund returns to the Ballet Kelowna stage with the world premiere of The Forever Part – an exhilarating contemporary work choreographed for the Company’s full ensemble of nine dancers. Wicklund’s latest creation explores the inherent tension of the permanence of forever —a concept fueled by both yearning and desire as well as anxiety and confinement. This work is set to a compelling and divergent score of some of J.S. Bach’s greatest works as well as original music by Wicklund.
Also on the program is the return of Dotto’s Petrushka, a playful meditation on love and loss originally presented to Kelowna audiences in spring 2019. Inspired by the darkly humorous tale of three puppets magically brought to life at a city fair, Dotto’s remix is an abstract meditation on the power of darkness and loneliness. Embodying Petrushka’s original playfulness and theatricality, Dotto makes use of exaggerated gestures and mime to create a layered, up-tempo response to Igor Stravinsky’s score and re-invigorate the work’s clownish foundation.
Concluding the evening is the world premiere of Celestial Mechanics by Stephen, who recently returned to Canada after dancing with Gauthier Dance in Germany. A classical work layered with unconventional pairings and arrangements for three women and three men, Celestial Mechanics will underscore the depth of Ballet Kelowna’s technical prowess with complex pointe work and a subtle, expressive movement vocabulary set to Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 12.
Ballet Kelowna’s 2021/22 season also marks a significant milestone for two of its artists: Desiree Bortolussi and Kurt Werner celebrate 10 years with the Company.
Tickets and information at balletkelowna.ca
Ballet Kelowna’s health and safety protocols — in strict compliance with provincial health orders — can be viewed HERE.
[Top photo by Abigail-Wiens]
