Three immensely talented dance artists come together for Southern Bound Comfort - a program of duets presented March 24th to 26th in the NAC Studio.

The evening features two duets performed by Shanell Winlock and Gregory Maqoma: Bound, created by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in 2010, and Southern Comfort, choreographed by Gregory Maqoma in 2001 and revived in 2008. The concept for the evening grew out of the longtime friendship between these three brilliant artists.

Maqoma’s Southern Comfort looks at how perceived ideas shape the human experience. A mirror of behavior, attitudes and reactions, this humorous and passionate piece peels back the fragile veneer concealing the power games people play.

The second duet, Bound, commissioned from collaborator and friend Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, unites all three artists in a desire to see contemporary dance as a space where traditions fuse and new expression is fostered. In this piece, the dancers investigate the bonds we have to one another, to our heritage, our desires and our expectations.

Each duet will be performed to original music performed live by musicians chosen for their diverse backgrounds and traditions.

"A wonderfully entertaining duet premiered in London, wrapped up themes of conflict in humour and originality." Nadine Meisner, The Independent

Artistic concept and choreography: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (Bound) and Gregory Maqoma (Southern Comfort)
Material devised and performed by: Gregory Maqoma and Shanell Winlock
Live musicians:  Stefan Knapik (cello/violoncelle), Soumik Datta (sarod), Manjunath B Chandramouli (percussion/percussions)
Lighting Design:  Willy Cessa (Bound), Fabiana Piccioli (Southern Comfort)
Costumes: Alexandra Gilbert (Bound)
Props: Filip and Ina Peeters (Bound)

Produced by Théâtre de la Ville (Paris) in co-production with Sadler’s Wells (London), The ShowRoom (University of Chichester, UK), The Point (Eastleigh, UK), Festival de Marseille F/D/Am/M, RPF/RED Reggio Emilia Danza – Aperto Festival (Italy), Julidans (Amsterdam), KVS (Brussels)

With the support of: Cultuurcentrum Brugge, TanzHaus NRW (Dusseldorf), Festival Next (Courtrai-Lille-Tournai), Vuyani Dance Theatre (dir. Gregory Maqoma), Eastman vzw (dir. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui)

Acknowledgements to La Villette (EPPGHV) and particularly to Ginette Dansereau

Performances in Ottawa and Columbus made possible thanks to: Institut Français

 

SOUTHERN BOUND COMFORT - Dance Master Class

Class taught by Shanell Winlock for professional, pre-professional and advanced students and dancers (ages 16 and up)

Saturday March 26, 2011
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Drawing on Shanell’s international experience with contemporary dance, Kathak (Indian Classical Dance) and dance styles originating from South Africa, the class will explore principles of these different dance styles.

·         Location: Rehearsal Hall A, National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa (Enter by Stage Door)
·         Cost $20, payable in cash on site.
 
Participants must REGISTER in advance, as space is limited, at soutter@magma.ca or 613-947-7000 ext 588 – Renata Soutter, Dance Outreach Coordinator

Southern Bound Comfort runs in the Studio of the National Arts Centre on Thursday March 24, Friday March 25, and Saturday March 26, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.06 for adults and $15.88 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

Duration: 84 minutes including a 20 minute intermission

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS) new!
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

This production is eligible for the Live Rush program. Full-time students aged 13-29 with a valid Live Rush membership may buy up to two tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $12 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the performance. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Live Rush program.

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For more information, please call:
Eleri Evans
Marketing and Communications Officer, Dance
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 379; e-mail: eevans@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca