Music is a huge part of the holiday season. Add a few energetic dance numbers and the impact doubles.
0nce again Vinok Worldance celebrates the holiday season with its 19th edition of Christmas Around the World performed on Nov. 22 to 25 at Chateau Louis Conference Centre.
Vinok’s mandate is to introduce the beauty and diversity of global folklore through dance and music. And their choreographic repertoire is elevated through an extensive collection of 4,000 costume pieces, many handmade in their countries of origin.
“It’s a fun evening that you don’t typically get in most Christmas shows. It explores different regions of the world, their dances and music. And there’s a full course dinner. In terms of Christmas shows, it’s a unique sensory experience,” said St. Albert dancer Paige Tirs.
She is one of 10 dancers rehearsing some fancy footwork that will showcase 10 cultures. They include Turkey, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Hungarian Gypsy, Hasidic Jewish and American clogging.
“We attract a broad group of people. There’s an assortment from young families who want to do fun Christmas activities to people bringing Christmas parties. Some people are looking for nice dinner theatre. Some people just stumble on it,” Tirs said.
The dances have been thoughtfully selected and brilliantly choreographed to tell stories of people and their thriving folkloric regions.
For instance, French choreographer Pierre Chartrand directs Bourrées et valse musette, a very proper style of partner dance where women ignore the men.
“It’s intriguing to watch this rigid style of dance with four couples.”
Once more, eight dancers perform Dansen uit d Achterhoek, a dance from the Netherlands featuring wooden clogs.
Norway’s Sprinngar Ganger Halling is of a different cast challenging dancers to rethink how movement is interpreted.
“The music is very different. It has an intricate beat and is hard to dance to because of the odd rhythms and odd signatures.”
The Italian portion dives into a lively tarantella while Turkey is highlighted with Karadeniz (Black Sea), a number imitating wave movement.
The highlight from Bulgaria is Varnenski Igra where three female dancers tap wooden spoons to make intricate rhythms even as Szatmar, a Hungarian Gypsy dance, creates a joyful, upbeat vibe.
From the Prayer to the Joy is borrowed from traditions of Hasidic Jews while Romania’s Viorel Vata is a fun, fast piece demanding intricate footwork as dancers hold each others hands or belts.
Lastly, Small Circle Big Circle, an American clog dance from the Appalachian region has dancers switching to tap shoes for maximum effect.
A live four-piece band of talented multi-instrumentalists under the direction of John Calverly accompany the dancers and add another cultural lens to the folkloric evening.
Tickets are $42 to $89 (includes gratuity and GST) for either a plated dinner or brunch. Visit www.vinok.ca or email [email protected].
