The Dance Deck Neuf brings multidisciplinary back-yard bliss to East Van, August 20 and 21 and 27 and 28
This year’s roster includes Ballet BC dancers, plus music, spoken-word, and poetry
Clockwise from top left, dance artists Emily Chessa and Marissa Wong, and musician Scotty Hills.
The Dance Deck Neuf takes place August 20, 21, 27, and 28 from 4 to 6 pm, followed by dinner by Tamam. Tickets by donation.
PARTNERS IN LIFE AND art, Ballet BC alumni Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez have long dubbed their East Van house “Casa Om,” a nod to ideas of regeneration and creativity.
They’ve come up with an equally fitting name for their beloved late-August dance series: Dance Deck, which takes place in their oasis-like back yard. It’s a far cry from the darkened theatres where most of its artists perform the rest of the year. And in that way, it’s regenerative and creative too.
This year, the pair—Fletcher, who is an independent dance artist, Senez, who most recently has been working in visual design in dance—have directed, curated, and produced an impressive roster of celebrated local dance talent, as well as artists that who come from other art forms, including music, spoken-word, and comedy. And there will be tasty food from Drive favourite Tamam, a Palestinian eatery, afterward.
“On deck” this year as creators and performers are several Ballet BC dancers, including Emily Chessa, Sidney Chuckas, and Kiana Jung. Other names from the contemporary-dance scene are Marissa Wong and Ria Girard. Look for spoken word from Marisa Antoinette Gold, comedy from Jon Gagnon, and music by Scotty Hills.
More than anything, the outdoor showcase, from 4 to 6 pm, is about experimentation, and the chance to see these artists explore work in new ways. Or as the Casa Om pair themselves put it: “We invite artists whose work we believe in and who inspire us in our own art and life, with a focus on cross-disciplinary programming, inclusivity, and respect for the creative spirit of each person we encounter. We hope to create an ‘art for art’s sake’ experience of sharing in live performance.”
Tickets are by donation, with details here.
Related Articles
