From Montreal to Vancouver, Belle Spirale Dance Projects announces its 2024-25 season

Now in its second year, local company will perform at Vancouver Playhouse for the first time

CO-DIRECTED BY ALEXIS Fletcher and Sylvain Senez, both former principal artists and rehearsal directors with Ballet BC, Belle Spirale Dance Projects has announced its 2024-25 season.

Things kick off for the company, now in its second year, on November 1 and 2 in Calgary. There, light in the rafters (2021), a co-creation between Fletcher, Senez, and visual artist Tiko Kerr, will be performed as part of Fluid Festival.

On November 8, Belle Spirale is back on the west coast for a one-night-only performance with Vancouver Chamber Choir. Fletcher and Justin Rapaport are creating a new duet to accompany the choir singing Path of Miracles, a modern composition by Jody Talbot following the journey of the Camino de Santiago.

November 11 to 16, the team travels to Montreal with All my being is a dark verse, created with local dancer and choreographer Arash Khakpour. The performance is part of CINARS, an international showcase and networking forum.

In January, Belle Spirale teams up with violinist Jack Campbell for improvised encounters between their collective of dancers and a group of musicians.

On March 21 and 22, the company presents its boldest production to date at the Vancouver Playhouse, a project that has earned it the prestigious Chrystal Dance Prize. The show features a new work by Fletcher and Senez alongside a world premiere by internationally celebrated choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan, in his first Canadian commission outside of Ballet BC. Among the dancers are Livona Ellis, Justin Rapaport, Ariana Barr, Juan Duarte, Will Jessup, Marisa Gold, Lazaro Silva, Brenna Metzmeier, and Fletcher. Senez’s visual design will be a driving force in both works, with dancer-composer Ben Waters (currently dancing with Ballet Edmonton) as a composer. Gold, as well as being a featured dancer, will be a commissioned writer and spoken-word artist in one of the works.

Lastly, the 10-year anniversary of The Dance Deck happens the summer of 2025, complete with special celebrations.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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