By Neil Armstrong
 |
| Photo credit: Michael Mortley Kevin A. Ormsby in Christopher Walker's "Unmasked: Seaweed King" |
Kevin A. Ormsby was in rehearsal at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in February in Christopher Walker’s “Unmasked: Seaweed King” when Walker got the news about the passing of Jamaican dance pioneer, icon, choreographer, and educator Barbara Requa and attempted to withhold the information from him until after the rehearsal.
Walker soon relented because both were devastated by the passing of such a seminal figure in dance; both were significantly influenced by Requa in their nascent dance career.
“She gave me my first scholarship in dance. Without her I would not have been at Edna Manley School in the youth division program. I wouldn’t have started my formal training when I did,” says the Toronto dancer, choreographer and founder of KasheDance, noting that Requa was the principal then.
Requa taught Walker when he was a student at Edna Manley College in the dance program; Ormsby was in the junior program. “She was definitely instrumental in providing that first access to formal dance training through the youth program,” says Ormsby.
The nationally recognized dancer and Arts advocate was so inspired by Requa that he decided after that rehearsal to dedicate his upcoming three-day performance to her.
Requa, a co-founder of the Edna Manley School of Dance and a former teacher, principal and dean, and a founding member of the National Dance Theatre Company, died on February 23 at the age of 90 in Mexico. A thanksgiving service was held on March 20 in Jamaica.
From April 13 to 15, Ormsby will present his much anticipated bi-national solo project, “Trilogy of Being…”, at The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. The three solos celebrate his dance career in Canada and the United States.
This year marks 37 years in dance for the 2021 finalist of the Johanna Metcalf Arts Prize which celebrates artists in Ontario who have made a recognized impact on the field and the public, and show great promise in the ongoing pursuit of their ambitious and visionary practices.
“Trilogy of BEing…” is a creative collaboration between Canadian and American choreographers — all of whom had worked or danced with Ormsby throughout his career. The production is grounded in Black existence and experiences: environmental, social and cultural.
Photo contributed Kevin A. Ormsby
Christopher Walker’s “Unmasked: Seaweed King” depicts a sort of phoenix rising from the refuse / ashes; addressing human impact on the environment told through a character of ancient wisdom linking Afro-Caribbean mas performance traditions. It is a part of “The Kula Ring, A Gifting Economy” (2016), a transdisciplinary expedition project merging scientific, environmental, and artistic research around ocean conservation and climate change.
“Somebody” by Denise Fujiwara, was inspired by Ormsby’s call to action in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. “I suggested a collaborative creative process that resulted in the solo for him.” Poetry by Giller Prize-winning Canadian author Ian Williams, Poet Laureate of Jamaica 2021-2024, Olive Senior, and Lambda Literary Award winner, American Rosamund S. King shapes the solo rich in contemporary butoh technique.
 |
| Photo by John Hart Wisconsin State Journal Kevin A. Ormsby in Joel Valentin-Martinez's "Dear Brother" |
Joel Valentin-Martinez, through visual research of images and music of significant Black historical periods (Harlem Renaissance, 1960s -1970s, and the era of 80s hip-hop), crafts the solo, “Dear Brother,” commenting on how we see contemporary Black and Brown lives in shaping music, fashion and popular culture. Friday’s performance of the piece includes a special presentation with three other dance artists (Will Brown (NYC), Benjamin Russell (Toronto), and Kevin Shawn (Calgary)
“Trilogy of BEing…” starts at 8:00 p.m. on all three nights at The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance which is at 304 Parliament Street in Toronto. Tickets are $35 but for Livestream the cost is $10.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/trilogy-of-being-tickets-404767559667
No comments:
Post a Comment