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You know summer is just around the corner when you start hearing rumblings about the Festival TransAmériques. In its seventh edition, the Montreal contemporary dance-theatre fest is poised to take over the city’s performance spaces. From daschunds as UN ambassadors, to birds covered in sludge, inspiration comes from almost anywhere for this year’s crop of more than 20 shows. If you have time over the next ten days, here are some suggestions.
In Museum
May 25-26, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
First of all, we can all agree that free is good, non? Especially if it involves a show and Marie Chouinard. Bring a wish to this freebie performance and whisper it into the choreographer’s ear. Camouflaged in a white robe, against a whited-out room, the veteran dancer, who made a mark with solos before she founded her own company, performs alone in a series of improv pieces inspired by the public’s sweet nothings.
Dachshund UN
May 24-26, Place des Festivals
Continuing in the free vein…How do wiener dogs and the United Nations have anything in common? Well, Australian artist Bennett Miller dreamed up an installation with the stretchy dogs, who solemnly take their seats at a replica UN office for an unpredictable and entertaining encounter, that is sure to generate barky debates. For this travelling canine social commentary piece that questions universal justice, Millar casts a new multi-coloured pack in each city he visits.
Levée des Conflits
May 30-31, Théâtre Jean-Duceppe
Conceptual French choreographer Boris Charmatz envisioned a moving sculpture as a starting point for his hypnotizing ensemble piece. Levée des Conflits features 24 dancers on stage cycling through a repertoire of 25 simple movements like wiping the floor, or spinning on the spot. In this 90-minute strong human wave of motion, the cycle repeats over and over again, constantly shifting speeds and space. Intriguing or infuriating? You be the judge.
Birds With Skymirrors
May 29-30 at Place des Arts, Théatre Maisonneuve
Returning to the FTA from the Samoan Islands, Lemi Ponifasio and his company Mau take an unlikely inspiration from birds that are not flying, but rather smothered in toxic waste. In this group work that goes back to Mother Earth, Ponifasio’s signature thought-provoking, visually stunning images and fluttery avian movements transport us past the sludge and make universal links.
Beauty remained for just a moment then returned gently to her starting position…
May 23-24, Monument-National
What I love about this fest is its international programming. Take multi-disciplinary, South African choreographer Robyn Orlin, who’s known for tackling political issues through her art. It’s a mouthful of a title, but in her Beauty remained, Orlin plays around with stereotypes and clichés. For this creation, Orlin employs public interaction and laughter to get her thoughts out about beauty and social justice.
