Photo & Concept | Michael Slobodian
C-Space Studio Theatre, Calgary
November 1st & 2nd
light in the rafters
Path of Miracles
with
Vancouver Chamber Choir
Featuring original choreography and performance by Belle Spirale Artists Alexis Fletcher and Justin Rapaport,
with visual design by Sylvain Senez.
Photo of Justin Rapaport | Dayna Szyndrowski
Photo of Alexis Fletcher | Cindi Wicklund
FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 8, 2024
4PM & 7:30PM
PACIFIC SPIRIT UNITED CHURCH 2195 W 45TH AVE, VANCOUVER
Joby Talbot’s magnificent Path of Miracles needs to be SEEN, not just heard. To bring this visceral music to life, and to help us tell the story of the legendary Camino de Santiago, Belle Spirale is thrilled to be a special guest of Vancouver Chamber Choir. Alexis Fletcher and Justin Rapaport will be performing live alongside the choir.
This choral masterpiece runs the full gamut of human emotions from eagerness to trepidation, and frustration to ecstasy, and will be an emotional, maybe even spiritual, experience for both the performers and the audience.
Le magnifique Path of Miracles de Joby Talbot doit être VU, et non seulement entendu. Pour donner vie à cette musique viscérale et nous aider à raconter l'histoire du légendaire Camino de Santiago, Belle Spirale est ravie d'être l’ invitée spéciale du Vancouver Chamber Choir. Alexis Fletcher et Justin Rapaport se produiront aux côtés du chœur.
Ce chef-d'œuvre choral explore toute la gamme des émotions humaines, de l'enthousiasme à l'appréhension, de la frustration à l'extase, et sera une expérience émotionnelle, peut-être même spirituelle, tant pour les interprètes que pour le public.
BELLE SPIRALE ~ Performing at CINARS
NOVEMBER 11 – 16th, 2024
ĒCOMUSĒE DU FIER MONDE
MONTRÉAL, QC
Since 1984, every two years in Montreal, CINARS has been organizing one of the most important international showcases and networking events, gathering more than 1,200 professionals hailing from over 51 countries including 332 show presenters, some of whom are the most influential in the business. During one week, 190 shows from Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, and abroad grace the stages while workshops, networking events, as well as an exhibition hall are teeming with participants in some of Montreal’s main cultural venues.
Belle Spirale, represented by acclaimed Agence Résonances, will be performing an excerpt of همه هستی من آیه تاریکیست | All my being is a dark verse, the powerful duet created by Co-Director Alexis and Arash Khakpour, with visual design by Sylvain. Described as “a kind of embodiment of freedom and abandonment,” with Sylvain’s design described as “dreamlike and gorgeous,” by STIR, this duet responds to the incredible poetry of Iran’s beloved female poet, Forugh Farrokhzad.
Depuis 1984, CINARS organise tous les deux ans à Montréal une des plus importantes rencontres internationales des arts de la scène avec plus de 1200 professionnels de 51 pays dont 332 diffuseurs parmi les plus importants à travers le monde. Pendant une semaine, plus de 190 spectacles du Québec, du Canada et de l’étranger, des ateliers, des événements de réseautage et une salle d’exposition sont proposés aux participants dans divers grands lieux culturels montréalais.
Belle Spirale, représentée par la réputée Agence Résonances, présentera un extrait de همه هستی من آیه تاریکیست | All my being is a dark verse, le puissant duo créé par la co-directrice Alexis et Arash Khakpour, avec une conception visuelle de Sylvain. Décrit comme «une sorte d'incarnation de la liberté et de l'abandon», avec la conception de Sylvain qualifiée de « onirique et magnifique » par STIR, ce duo répond à la poésie incroyable de la poétesse iranienne bien-aimée, Forugh Farrokhzad.
This intimate performance peels back the veil on collaborative process, welcoming you to immerse yourself in cross disciplinary creation. Witness a coming together of a trio of dancers and a trio of musicians as they reflect, respond, listen and compose four distinct pieces in a real time improvised encounter!
Vancouver Playhouse
March 21 -22, 2025
8pm
Photo | Michael Slobodian
We wish to acknowledge our
Creation and Presentation Partner
Chutzpah! Festival
and our Presentation Partners:
Vancouver International Dance Festival
New Works Dance
Our heartfelt thanks also goes to The Chrystal Dance Prize, Dance Victoria, Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Vancouver Civic Theatres, The Dance Centre and our individual donors for their invaluable contributions.
Marisa Gold
EXPERIENCE A BOLD FUSION OF DANCE AND STORYTELLING
Prepare to be captivated by the visionary works of our Co-Artistic Directors, Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez, alongside the internationally celebrated choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan. This is more than a performance; it’s a powerful journey through the complexities of our times—examining our uncertain future, our connection to the earth, and the strength of human resilience.
VIVEZ UNE FUSION AUDACIEUSE DE DANSE ET DE RÉCIT
Préparez-vous à être captivés par les œuvres visionnaires de nos co-directeurs artistiques, Alexis Fletcher et Sylvain Senez, aux côtés du chorégraphe de renommée internationale Fernando Hernando Magadan. Ce sera non seulement un magnifique spectacle, mais aussi un puissant voyage à travers les complexités de notre époque—examinant notre avenir incertain, notre connexion à la terre, et la force de la résilience humaine.
Marisa Gold and Brenna Metzmeier
A VISUAL AND EMOTIONAL FEAST
Lighting designer Victoria Hunter Bell will illuminate the stage with her evocative and sensitive designs, crafting an atmosphere that transcends the ordinary. DORA Award Nominee Sylvain Senez will transform the stage with his rich scenic design, weaving a visual narrative that complements and elevates each movement.
UN FESTIN VISUEL ET ÉMOTIONNEL
L’eclairagiste Victoria Hunter Bell illuminera la scène avec ses conceptions évocatrices et sensibles, créant une atmosphère qui transcende l'ordinaire. Le scénographe nommé aux DORA, Sylvain Senez, transformera la scène avec ses riches décors, tissant un récit visuel qui complète et élève chaque mouvement.
Juan Duarte and Will Jessup
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to experience Fernando Hernando Magadan’s first Canadian commission outside of Ballet BC, presented in an intimate setting that will leave you breathless. This is a chance to see his genius up close like never before.
AN ALL-STAR CAST THAT BRINGS THE STAGE TO LIFE
Featuring a stellar cast, including Justin Rapaport, Ariana Barr, Juan Duarte, Will Jessup, Marisa Gold, Brenna Metzmeier and Sophia Makarenko, this Double Bill promises to be a highlight of the dance season. Our Co-Artistic Director, Alexis Fletcher, will also grace the stage, merging her creative vision with her extraordinary performance.
Ne manquez pas l'occasion rare de découvrir une première mondiale de Fernando Hernando Magadan, présentée dans un cadre intime qui vous laissera sans souffle. C'est une chance unique de voir son génie de près comme jamais auparavant.
UNE DISTRIBUTION ÉTOILÉE QUI DONNE VIE À LA SCÈNE
Avec une distribution exceptionnelle comprenant Justin Rapaport, Ariana Barr, Juan Duarte, Will Jessup, Marisa Gold, Brenna Metzmeier et Sophia Makarenko, ce programme double promet d'être un des moments forts de la saison de danse. Notre co-directrice artistique, Alexis Fletcher, sera également sur scène, fusionnant sa vision créative et interpretation extraordinaire.
Ariana Barr and Justin Rapaport Photos | Sylvain Senez
Tuning
May 15 and 16th, 2025 Potsdamer Tanztage, Germany
June 17th, 9pm at Firehall Arts Centre, Dancing on the Edge
Alexis Fletcher and Ted Littlemore in Tuning by Vanessa Goodman. Photo | David Cooper
The Dance Deck 2025
~ Our Ten Year Anniversary in Co-Presentation with the Eastside Arts Festival
July 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th 4pm-6pm
- All tickets by donation! Choose from our ticket options to donate what you wish. By-donation dinner after show!
The Dance Deck has always been and still is, a labour of love to not only support the independent arts community and audiences, but also to enrich our Commercial Drive Neighbourhood. While Belle Spirale Dance Projects, directed by Sylvain and Alexis, create and produce their own main stage creations throughout the year, The Dance Deck is a platform dedicated solely to the work of other artists.
This summer, The Dance Deck curation brings together some new upcoming creative voices, as well as established creators and artists who are an integral part of our vibrant Vancouver artistic community, all presented up close and personal in our backyard. @thedancedeck
The Dance Deck 2025 features creators and performers:
- Vanessa Goodman: Dancer/Choreographer
- Orlando Harbutt: Dancer/Choreographer
- Joziah German: Dancer
- Paper Rabbits Collective featuring: Sophia Makarenko, Elle Derkitt, Nathan Coburn
- Jack Campbell: Violinist
- Taryn Plater: Mezzo-Soprano
- Cristian Márkos: Cellist (July 26th & 27th only)
Come early to enjoy a drink from our by-donation bar before the show and following the show, we hope that you will join us for the post-show dinner, where you will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists!
*** This year again! Pottery sale generously sponsored by a local and anonymous potter and donor. All proceeds directly support the artists performing at The Dance Deck, and Belle Spirale Dance Projects!
Our house, called “Casa Om,” has always been a place of regeneration and creativity, and with this in mind we have created an alternative and unique environment from which to share the arts with our community. We are Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez and we are the directors, curators and producers of The Dance Deck.. Both professional dance artists, we have created an intimate, outdoor performance space in the backyard of our home in Vancouver, Canada, where acclaimed performers and creators have the chance to share their work at a grassroots level. We curate programs with room for dance, spoken word, classical music, and work from local singer-songwriters. As presenters we strive to give artists a platform where they have the freedom to experiment and share work that is meaningful to them.
Please purchase tickets online and in advance since we can only accommodate a limited audience and we would hate to turn you away at the door.
Getting here:
~ The #20 bus route comes directly here! Get off at Commercial Drive and Napier Street.
~ Please note that regular street parking guidelines will be in effect. There are meters on Commercial Drive and on the side streets. Some free parking is available on Salisbury St (one block east of Commercial). There is no parking in the back alley or in the permit parking zones.
RESIDENCIES AND NEW CREATIONS
Photo & Concept | Michael Slobodian
Livona Ellis and Justin Rapaport in Residence at Dance Victoria Photo | Dayna Szyndrowski
DANCE VICTORIA AND CHUTZPAH! FESTIVAL
Thrilled to be returning to Chutzpah! Festival and Dance Victoria in January 2025 to continue developing our UNIVERSUS, which will premiere at Vancouver Playhouse, March 21-22, 2025.
KEVIN O’DAY x BELLE SPIRALE
Continuing our new Germany/Vancouver collaboration with Kevin O’Day and Alba Nadal. This work is meaningful for us after knowing Kevin for many years, starting from when he created with us at Ballet BC
At this time when there is so much emphasis on the beauty of what is new…. We acknowledge with this process the depth of intergenerational work, and how profound it is to honour lineage and whose shoulders we stand on.
This new piece is created by Kevin O’Day and Belle Spirale’s Co- Director Alexis Fletcher - artists who are over 20 years apart in age, yet share a special kinship and history in their bodies as dancers. The work is being co-created with dancer Alba Nadal with visual design by Co-Director Sylvain Senez.
We send a special thank you to Jill Henis for her support and rehearsal direction.
Alba Nadal and Kevin O’Day Photo | The Comaks