An Evening of Extraordinary Dance
With Two World Premieres
Dance All-Stars
Aszure & Artists
Amber Funk Barton
Serge Bennathan's
new solo for Susan Elliott

When Mikhail Baryshnikov publicly calls you “fresh and arresting,”people take notice. Those kudos definitely benefited Alberta-born Aszure Barton, artistic director of the New York-based dance company Aszure & Artists, who regularily tours with Baryshnikov and is currently artistin-residence at the new Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City and resident choreographer for BJMDanse Montréal (Les Ballets jazz de Montréal). She also recently choreographed the Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, starring Alan Cumming, Jim Dale, Ana Gasteyer, Cyndi Lauper and Nellie McKay. Described as one of the most innovative chorographers of this generation, Aszure comes to Chutzpah! with four additional dancers from her company for a fantastic evening of dance. Photo: Chris Randle. www.aszureartists.com

Opening for Aszure & Artists is one of Canada’s newest rising dance stars: BC’s own Amber Funk Barton(no relation) known for her hybrid style having studied everything from ballet to hip-hop. She will perform her new Chutzpah! commissioned duet with Ballet BC’s James Gnamto the poetic, soulful live musical accompaniment of Mark Berubeof The Fugitives.

Adding to the excitement of the evening is a new creation by one of Canada’s premiere choreographers Serge Bennathan, for one of Canada’s best dance artists, Susan Elliott. This exquisite new solo will mark the beginning of a new adventure for Ms. Elliott as she heads off to live in New York City.Photo: Chris Randle

Special-Post-Festival Presentation
World Premiere
Kaeja d'Dance: Abattoir

As Allen's visceral aesthetic meets Karen's liquid, sensual athleticism, they create a major new work full of depth and disturbing beauty. Dense with hard-edged kinetics, Abattoir combines the disciplines of dance, music, theatre and exquisite new opera vocals. Allen's vision of our capacity for innocence ignites this multi-disciplinary dance production. Shifting perception, intimate tension and eroding humanity challenge one's passage towards dignity. Abattoir features the company's world-class performers in collaboration with the exceptional and fiery talents of new opera singer Fides Krucker, and composer Edgardo Moreno. Original text by Jason Sherman. Designers include lighting by Roelof Peter Snippe and costumes by Jorge Sandoval.

ABOUT KAEJA D'DANCE
Toronto-based Kaeja d'Dance is internationally renowned for its award winning contemporary dance and pioneering dance films. At the heart of Kaeja are two dynamic energies - Co-Artistic Directors Karen & Allen Kaeja. With their company of exquisite dancers, Kaeja d'Dance propels their kinetic language of partnering into a signature aesthetic, infused with intense athleticism and unbounded fluidity. www.kaeja.org | www.vidf.ca

"Beautifully evocative, powerfully realized and ultimately uplifting work." Washington Post