May 26 and 27 2023
on the main lawn square at Shops at Don Mills
Performances at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily
Showtime at Shops was a pop-up performance organized at an outdoor shopping space that is frequented by many people including youth. Melissa wanted to create a performance experience for the average passersby to remind audiences that dance is essential to human existence and that “what dance gives can also be received.”
All photos above by Fran Chudnoff 2023
Image Description: Melissa Hart looking at the camera intensely. She is wearing a black shirt with leopard print designs and her head is tilted sideways with her hair on one side. Photo: Kylie Thompson
By choosing Shops at Don Mills as the location of Showtime at Shops, not only does Melissa want to activate a frequently visited space in their neighbourhood, but also present an opportunity for diverse audiences of all ages outside of the downtown core to experience the incredible vibrant energy of artists who are making waves in the dance community!
As part of Showtime at Shops Melissa has commissioned a new work by Raoul Wilke and will also feature emerging dancers from School of Groove.
Image Description: a black and white photo of Raoul, looking to the side with his hands in his pockets. Photo: Gim Seungho
Part of the Dora Award winning company, Holla Jazz, as well as a local dance collective, The Moon Runners, Raoul Wilke is a multifaceted artist – dancer, choreographer, actor and model.
For this commission, Raoul has created A product of my environment which gives insight into the underground clubs of Chicago and New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s where House Dance originated. This piece explores those communal spaces where house music and the people were as one and features Miha Matevzic and Caroline Fraser.
Image Description: a group of young dancers perform outdoors. Photo: Kat Rizza
School of Groove is a dance training and mentorship program dedicated to empowering the next generation of women/dancers and acts as a bridge between dancers, like minded peers, mentors and the broader dance community.
They will be presenting Everything at once which is a celebration of both individual expression and collaboration, as five emerging dance artists explore their personal style and the process of discovering their collective voice. Everything at once has been created by choreographers, Kelly Gammie and Queenie Vicente, in collaboration with dancers – “What time? What move? 5 hearts…one groove.”
May 2023
Curated by: Melissa Hart
Featuring newly commissioned work by choreographer: Raoul Wilke
Performed by: Raoul Wilke, Miha Matevzic and Caroline Fraser
Also featuring opening act performances by: School of Groove
Choreographed by: Kelly Gammie & Queenie Vicente
Sound Technician: Kit Norman