Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers: Alexander Fadayiro & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper

Cassa Pancho's Ballet Black

Mixed Program

2023-10-03 19:30 2023-10-04 21:40 60 Canada/Eastern 🎟 NAC: Cassa Pancho's Ballet Black

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/33701

In-person event

Running time  Then Or Now: 34 minutes
Intermission: 20 minutes
NINA: By Whatever Means: 40 minutes The UK’s Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black makes its North American debut on our stage with a double bill rich in beautiful movement and lyrical contrasts.   Since 2001, Ballet Black has been transforming the dance landscape by providing a platform for Black and Asian artists, as well as emerging and established choreographic voices whose unexpected stories...

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Babs Asper Theatre,1 Elgin Street,Ottawa,Canada
October 3 - 4, 2023
7:30 pm EDT

October 2023

  1. Oct 3 2023
    Tuesday

    7:30pm

  2. Oct 4 2023
    Wednesday

    7:30pm

Close schedule
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers: Alexander Fadayiro & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancer: Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancer: Taraja Hudson. © Bill Cooper
The Ballet Black Company in Then Or Now, choreographed by Will Tuckett. © Bill Cooper
The Ballet Black Company in Then Or Now, choreographed by Will Tuckett. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers (L-R): Helga Paris-Morales, Rosanna Lindsey, José Alves, Taraja Hudson & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers: Alexander Fadayiro & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
NINA: By Whatever Means: (L-R) Helga Paris- Morales, Sayaka Ichikawa, Isabela Coracy, Rosanna Lindsey & Taraja Hudson. © Nick Guttridge
Dance Contemporary
“Whereas now we can really take risks, experiment, commission all sorts of work from all different kinds of people and I think people really enjoy that. They don’t know what they’re going to get when they come to a Ballet Black show.” Cassa  Pancho 
  • In-person event
  • ≈ 2 hours and 10 minutes · With intermission
North American Premiere

Running time 

Then Or Now: 34 minutes
Intermission: 20 minutes
NINA: By Whatever Means: 40 minutes

The UK’s Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black makes its North American debut on our stage with a double bill rich in beautiful movement and lyrical contrasts.  

Since 2001, Ballet Black has been transforming the dance landscape by providing a platform for Black and Asian artists, as well as emerging and established choreographic voices whose unexpected stories and themes go straight to the audience’s heart.  

Then Or Now, choreographed by William Tuckett  

Choreographer William Tuckett combines classical ballet, music and the poetry of feminist Adrienne Rich to explore our notion of home and our sense of belonging. Beautiful solos, seductive duets and dynamic, unique ensemble numbers compose this sophisticated and emotional piece.

NINA: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November  

NINA: By Whatever Means is inspired by the art and activism of Nina Simone. In his “love letter” to Simone, choreographer and director Mthuthuzeli November paints a skillful portrait of her turbulent and influential life to take us on a challenging yet moving journey.  

  

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Oct 2
Oct 3
  • 7:30pm
Oct 4
  • 7:30pm
Oct 5
Oct 6
Oct 7
Oct 8
video: Ballet Black: Pioneers | Then or Now | Stratford East
Ballet Black: Pioneers | Then or Now | Stratford East
video: Ballet Black: Pioneers | NINA: By Whatever Means | Behind the Scenes
Ballet Black: Pioneers | NINA: By Whatever Means | Behind the Scenes
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers: Alexander Fadayiro & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancer: Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancer: Taraja Hudson. © Bill Cooper
The Ballet Black Company in Then Or Now, choreographed by Will Tuckett. © Bill Cooper
The Ballet Black Company in Then Or Now, choreographed by Will Tuckett. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers (L-R): Helga Paris-Morales, Rosanna Lindsey, José Alves, Taraja Hudson & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black in Nina: By Whatever Means, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November. Dancers: Alexander Fadayiro & Isabela Coracy. © Bill Cooper
NINA: By Whatever Means: (L-R) Helga Paris- Morales, Sayaka Ichikawa, Isabela Coracy, Rosanna Lindsey & Taraja Hudson. © Nick Guttridge
  • Then Or Now (2020)   This ballet is a co-commission with The Barbican 
  • Choreographer William Tuckett 
  • Costume Design Yukiko Tsukamoto
  • Poetry Adrienne Rich (1929-2012) 
  • Director of Poetry Fiona L Bennett 
  • Poetry Recordings Hafsah Aneela Bashir, Natasha Gordon & Michael Shaeffer 
  • Music Passacaglia for solo violin (1676) Composed by Heinrich Franz von Biber (1644-1704) & Daniel Pioro. Recording by Daniel Pioro 
  • Cast José Alves, Isabela Coracy, Alexander Fadayiro, Taraja Hudson, Sayaka Ichikawa, Mthuthuzeli November, Helga Paris-Morales and Ebony Thomas 
  • NINA: By Whatever Means (2023)  This ballet is a co-commission with The Barbican 
  • Choreography & Direction Mthuthuzeli November 
  • Lighting Design David Plater 
  • Costume Design Jessica Cabassa 
  • Composers Mandisi Dyantyis, Mthuthuzeli November, Nina Simone (1954-2002) . Featuring the voices of the Zolani Youth Choir .
  • Cast José Alves, Isabela Coracy, Alexander Fadayiro, Taraja Hudson, Sayaka Ichikawa, Rosanna Lindsey, Helga Paris-Morales and Ebony Thomas