Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Legacy Project dancers © Sasha Onyshchenko

Margie Gillis Dance Foundation

Literature of the Body

2024-04-20 20:00 2024-04-20 21:15 60 Canada/Eastern 🎟 NAC: Margie Gillis Dance Foundation

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/33699

In-person event

Under the artistic direction of choreographer Margie Gillis, the dancers come together to present Literature of the Body, a powerful, poetic and somatic project. Through these two ensemble works, the audience witnesses the intimate and mysterious workings of the soul’s inner journey and the poetry that lies at the heart of the art of dance.  To Lose The World

The first piece addresses the harsh reality that refugees now make up one-third of the world’s...

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Southam Hall,1 Elgin Street,Ottawa,Canada
Saturday, April 20, 2024
8 PM EDT
Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Legacy Project dancers © Sasha Onyshchenko
Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Legacy Project dancers © Sasha Onyshchenko
Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Legacy Project dancers © Sasha Onyshchenko
Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Legacy Project dancers © Sasha Onyshchenko
Dance Contemporary Canadian
  • In-person event
  • ≈ 75 minutes · With intermission

Under the artistic direction of choreographer Margie Gillis, the dancers come together to present Literature of the Body, a powerful, poetic and somatic project. Through these two ensemble works, the audience witnesses the intimate and mysterious workings of the soul’s inner journey and the poetry that lies at the heart of the art of dance. 

To Lose The World

The first piece addresses the harsh reality that refugees now make up one-third of the world’s population. It raises questions: Who are we without a country? Who are we without a home and without ties? 

The Whole Bloomin' Thing

The second piece was inspired by the writings of James Joyce and his reflections on the inner world of a woman: Molly Bloom. Her world, her community and her husband are all rooted in a traditional notion of gender that is ultimately liberated in a joyful mingling. Wild and wonderful, this urban woman and her connection to nature drive the piece forward in a whirlwind of life and freedom. 

Concepts of vulnerability, social change, loss and upheaval, as well as the joy and sensuality of life alternate on stage in this true dance mosaic. 

Margie Gillis is one of Canada’s most prolific and renowned dance artists, choreographers and educators. A daring pioneer of modern dance, this free thinker developed a new form of movement, a unique and personal artistic expression that has influenced generations of choreographers and dancers, and continues to shape the art of movement in creations whose beauty, authenticity and emotional expression have won her public and critical acclaim. Margie will mark 50 years as a dance artist this year, and we are delighted to welcome her to our stage. 

video: Margie Gillis Dance Foundation
Margie Gillis Dance Foundation
© Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Danseurs du Projet Héritage
© Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Danseurs du Projet Héritage
© Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Danseurs du Projet Héritage
© Margie Gillis Dance Foundation / Danseurs du Projet Héritage
  • LITERATURE OF THE BODY By Margie Gillis
  • Featuring Dancers of The Legacy Project
  • Lighting Director Pierre Lavoie
  • TO LOSE THE WORLD Choreographer: Margie Gillis
  • Dancers Geneviève Boulet, Alexandra Caron, Marc Daigle, Caitlin Griffin, Tessa Rae Kuz, Ruth Naomi Levin, Kyana Lyne, Hoor Malas, Susan Paulson & Alisia Pobega
  • Music Azam Ali, Loga R. Torkian from Lamentation of Swans
  • Costumes Rose
  • Lighting Director Pierre Lavoie
  • Lighting Assistant Öykü Onder
  • Cinematographer Louis-Martin Charest
  • THE WHOLE BLOOMIN’ THING Original Choreography: Margie Gillis
  • Dancers Susan Paulson, Ruth Naomi Levin, Alisia Pobega, Geneviève Boulet, Alexandra Caron, Caitlin Griffin, Tessa Rae Kuz, Kyana Lyne & Hoor Malas
  • Costumes Original costumes from Margie Gillis’s archives, with additional costumes provided by Sonya  Bayer and Margie  Gillis
  • Lighting Director Pierre Lavoie
  • Lighting Assistant Öykü Onder
  • Cinematographer Louis-Martin Charest
  • Text James Joyce, from Ulysses