Harbourfront Centre hosts the best of Canadian dance in a new season of NextSteps

Harbourfront Centre proudly presents the 2016/17 NextSteps season, running from October 2016 – May 2017. This series captures the diverse nature of the Canadian dance landscape and explores concepts of identity. Featuring performers of different ages, races and gender expressions, this year’s NextSteps lineup pushes boundaries, giving audiences a truly expansive display of what Canadian dance has to offer.

Proving age is not a confine, MOonhORsE Dance Theatre’s Older & Reckless features mature performers who have only grown more reckless with age. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre’s WINTERSONG – dances for a sacred season and Serious Games showcase dancers who are 14–18 years old. NextSteps also demonstrates Canada’s cultural diversity through Ballet Creole’s Soulful Messiah and Pratibha Arts’ SADHANA. inDANCE’s DanceWorks DW220: Holy Cow(s)! topples taboos of gender, identity, sexuality and cultural (mis)appropriation through a contemporary bharatanatyam performance. A collaborative work between A Girl in the Sky Productions and Thin Edge New Music Collective is behind the boundary-pushing, radical circus performance Balancing on the Edge. Returning for its third year is Femme de Feu with Circus Sessions, co-produced by Harbourfront Centre, where circus performers create a new performance after a week-long creative laboratory.

“For more than 40 years, Harbourfront Centre has been a leader in helping promote, cultivate and define dance in Canada,” says Marah Braye, CEO of Harbourfront Centre. “In this spectacular season of NextSteps we are excited to feature both established companies who helped create Harbourfront Centre’s rich dance history as well as emerging companies who will carry that legacy forward..We’re honoured to be one of Toronto’s central venues for those looking to experience dance in a different way. Our series features the work of some of the most creative and committed artists in the industry, and we’re thrilled to show Toronto what they’ve been working on.”

Harbourfront Centre wants to make it easier to take the next step. The 4-Ticket and 8-Ticket Flex Passes are available to suit individual needs. Discounted rates are available through CultureBreak, for full-time students and people under 25 years of age, at just $15. Seniors, groups and arts workers are also eligible for discounted rates. Visit our box office at http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/specialoffers for more details.

For full company and performance information on NextSteps, including photos, videos and artist interviews, please visit http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps and connect with dance @HarbourfrontTO #DanceTO. For information about getting here, visit http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/gettinghere

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Harbourfront Centre is a Canadian charity operating the 10 prime acres of Toronto’s central waterfront as a free and open public site. We celebrate the multiplicities of cultures that comprise Canada and enliven the city through the creative imaginations of artists from across the country and around the globe.

Harbourfront Centre Presents
NextSteps 2016/2017 Season
Harbourfront Centre – 235 Queens Quay West
October 2016 – May 2017

October 2
SADHANA, Pratibha Arts in association with Harbourfront Centre
A one-day series by emerging South Asian dance and percussion artists.

October 21–22
DanceWorks DW217: Made in China, Wen Wei Dance
This interdisciplinary performance blends Chinese heritage with contemporary art.

November 1–5
Animated, Toronto Dance Theatre
Short works by Christopher House showcasing a range of styles, featuring music by Michael J. Baker.

November 11–12
Older & Reckless, MOonhORsE Dance Theatre in association with Harbourfront Centre
A stunning performance from older dance artists who only grow more reckless with age.

November 11–12
PRALAYA, Sampradaya Dance Creations
An ensemble performance inspired by the cataclysmic dice game played in the Indian epic – the Mahabharata.

November 16–19
Season 2016, ProArteDanza
A seamless blend of ballet and modern dance.

November 18–19
Balancing on the Edge, A Girl in the Sky Productions/Thin Edge New Music Collective
Radical circus performances featuring special guest, DJ P-Love.

November 24–26
5 Elements, Little Pear Garden Dance Company
Five diverse choreographers captivate the stage with a performance combining their own personal experiences and philosophies in relation to the ancient elements.

November 24–26
DanceWorks DW218: In Search of the Holy Chop Suey & Zhong Xin, tiger princess dance projects
Two haunting explorations into the concept of “identity”.

December 2–4
Soulful Messiah, Ballet Creole
Tap, African-Caribbean, ballet, jazz and modern styles combine in this unique holiday classic.

December 9–10
WINTERSONG – dances for a sacred season, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
Seasonal dance inspired by solstice traditions.

January 20–22
DanceWeekend’17, Dance Ontario in association with Harbourfront Centre
Traditional styles explode in this showcase of raw talent and contemporary innovation.

February 9–11
DanceWorks DW219: Ylem (3 Eggs Ago) & Various Concert, Throwdown Collective
Magical realism comes to the stage in exciting contemporary dance performances.

March 23–25
DanceWorks DW220: Holy Cow(s)!, inDANCE
A contemporary bharatanatyam performance toppling taboos of gender, identity, sexuality and cultural (mis)appropriation.

April 28–29
DanceWorks DW221: Glory, Radical System Art
This acclaimed performance examines the glorification of violent behaviour in a media-drenched culture.

May 5–7
Season 2017, Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
A passionate and elegant evening of flamenco and Spanish dance.

May 12–14
Kambule, Ballet Creole
A powerful manifestation of African culture, spirituality, beauty, royalty and pride.

May 19–20
Circus Sessions 2017, Femmes du Feu co-produced with Harbourfront Centre
National and international circus performers work together in this week-long creative laboratory.

May 26–27
Serious Games, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
David Earle’s classic Serious Games returns and witness Deborah Lundmark’s Rain Horse, featuring a live performance by harmonica maestro Carlos del Junco and The Blues Mongrels trio.

For more information, visit http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps or call 416-973-4000.

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