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Photo © Rita Taylor. Interprète / Dancer Jera Wolfe.
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Photo © David Hou.
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Photo © David Hou.
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Photo © David Hou.
For 20 years, this Toronto-based company directed by Sandra Laronde has been the bold proponent of a living and contemporary art form steeped in the cultures and visions of Indigenous peoples from around the world. Inspired by the chain of mountain ranges stretching from the Rockies to the Andes, and known as the “spine of the Americas”, Backbone conveys an electrical and physical connection to the land. The powerful, compelling musical score enwraps the performers’ bodies; percussion, throat singing and layers of sound interweave to create a rhythmic backdrop. In highly physical, almost acrobatic solos, duets, and ensembles, the dancers—hailing from Canada, New Zealand and Mongolia—interpret nature’s spine and landscapes, and embody mapping and cartography. A veritable seismic tremor, Backbone pulsates to a visceral and universal momentum that is irresistibly hypnotic and spellbinding.
Red Sky Performance
Director - Sandra Laronde
Choreographers - Jera Wolfe, Sandra Laronde, Ageer
Artistic Director
A highly accomplished arts leader, creator, and innovator, Sandra Laronde plays a pivotal role in the ongoing Indigenous cultural resurgence of Canada.
The vision of Red Sky Performance derives from founder Sandra Laronde (Misko Kizhigoo Migizii Kwe which means “Red Sky Eagle Woman” in the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) language) from the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water). Her vision is dedi...
Read more about Sandra Laronde
Choreographer
Born in Toronto, Jera Wolfe is a choreographer and performer of Métis heritage and is an Associate Artist with Red Sky Performance. Mr. Wolfe’s captivating choreography has awarded him the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Original Choreography for Trace by Red Sky Performance. His recent works include Bare choreographed at Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Arise for Canada's National Ballet School, ...
Read more about Jera Wolfe
Ageer is a guest artist with Red Sky Performance from Inner Mongolia. He studied dance performance at the Art Institute of Inner Mongolia University from 2006 to 2008. Since 2009, he has been a principal dancer with the Hohhot Performing Arts Group in Inner Mongolia. In 2014, Ageer performed in Red Sky's Tono at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival. He was a lead performer at the Inner Mongolia New Year Gala and I...
Read more about AgeerRed Sky Performance is a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide. This multi-award winning company was founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Sandra Laronde of the Teme-Augama-Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water).
Their mandate is to create inspiring experiences of contemporary Indigenous arts and culture. Red Sky creates, produces and disseminates new creations that illuminat...
Concept and Artistic Direction Sandra Laronde.
Choreography Jera Wolfe with Sandra Laronde, Ageer.
Composer and Musician Rick Sacks.
Throat-boxing Nelson Tagoona.
Costume Design Jeff Chief.
Video Designer Andy Moro.
Rehearsal Director Philippe Larouche.
Dancers Ageer, Eddie Elliott, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Samantha Halas, Lindsay Harpham, Phillipe Larouche, Julie Pham, Jera Wolfe.
Lighting Designer Steve Lucas.
![Pina Bausch Foundation + Ecole des Sables + Sadler’s Wells The Rite of Spring | common ground[s]](https://www.dansedanse.ca/sites/default/files/styles/width-400/public/the-rite-of-spring-credit-maarten-vanden-abeele-0005_0.jpg?itok=1szue2wz "Pina Bausch Foundation + Ecole des Sables + Sadler’s Wells The Rite of Spring | common ground[s]")
