José Navas

Good evening, everyone,

Tonight, we are pleased to present choreographer and performer José Navas, one of Quebec's foremost artists. Throughout his career, he has danced his life on stage with a distinctive and deeply personal approach to inhabiting space.

In his latest creation, AVES, you will witness José Navas in all his splendor, performing six autobiographical solos that pay tribute to his late partner, William Douglas (1953-1996). His dance is fluid and delicate, marked by remarkable finesse and perfectly attuned to the music. This is an intimate exploration where the moving body becomes the most sincere reflection of who José Navas is.

In this performance, everything unfolds in close complicity with you, the audience. Even the costume changes happen in front of the audience, inviting us to fully experience the core of this creation. It is a liberating dance ritual and a powerful testimony that we are honored to present to you.

Enjoy the show!

Pierre Des Marais — Artistic and Executive Director, Danse Danse.

Territorial Acknowledgement

Danse Danse acknowledges that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka Nation. We honour the continued presence of Indigenous peoples on the Tiohtiá:ke (Montreal) territory, which has long served as a meeting place for exchanges between nations. With respect for the links to the past, present and future, we thank the Indigenous peoples for reminding us of the importance of living in harmony with ourselves, with each other and with nature, and we are grateful for the opportunity to present works of living art at Tiohtiá:ke.

AVES

A solo show that celebrates the importance of love and art.

Following his lineage of solo work imbued with sobriety, abstraction, and simplicity, José Navas continues dancing his life on stage, as he has done for the last forty years.

This show comprises dance solos that will invite the audience into the personal story of José Navas and Bill Douglas. The two artists met and lived together in NYC and later Montreal, sharing life and art until the death of Douglas from AIDS in 1996. The culmination of this artistic relationship, While Waiting – choreographed by Douglas and performed by Navas – was recognized in 1994 with a Bessie Award (New York Dance and Performance Award).

The choreographer–soloist will perform on a simple open stage, set with three chairs. There will be movement in the space to the music of James Brown, Bach, PJ Harvey, Billie Holliday, and Dorothy Moore, Satie. He renews his longstanding collaborations with light designer Marc Parent and costume designer Sonya Bayer.

AVES is a luminous dance ritual of hope and optimism, Navas’ way to pay homage to Douglas.

About William Douglas

Born in Nova Scotia and living in Montreal from 1990 to 1996, William Douglas was a dancer, choreographer, teacher and architect. His choreographic works have won numerous prestigious awards: choreography prize from the IV Rencontres choréographiques internationales de Seine Saint-Denis in France, 1994; National Arts Centre Award, Ottawa, 1992; Bessie Award (New York Dance and Performance Award), 1995; and Premier prix de Bagnolet, 1995-1996. He was permanent guest professor of technique and composition in the Dance Department of the University of Québec from 1990 to 1996.

AVES

Choreographer and dancer José Navas.

Lighting Marc Parent.

Costumes José Navas.

Costume design Sonya Bayer, L'Atelier de couture Sonya B.

Technical Direction Marc Parent.

Production Compagnie Flak in coproduction with Theater im Pumpenhaus (Münster, Germany) and Danse Danse (Montreal).

Production Direction and Development Adrien Bussy.

Premiere De Schakel, Waregem (Belgium), October 26, 2022.