on the MOVE conference for emerging dance professionals

On the MOVE by Dancer Transition Resource Centre is a conference for graduating dance students and emerging dance professionals. The FREE annual conference is held in collaboration with art service organizations across the country to provide you with the skills, resources and networking opportunities to transition into the professional world of dance. This year's conference in Vancouver on January 9-10, 2009 will be held at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St., Vancouver, BC.

Please visit www.dtrc.ca/movetransit/vancouver.html to register for the conference in Vancouver. Pre-registration is required and will close on January 2, 2009. The conference helps emerging dance professionals explore the many career options available to them and is a valuable resource for providing an overview of attitudes, skills and knowledge needed to build a stronger sense of community.

OTI at Boogie Jam

Over the Influence (OTI) is one of the most influential and well-known hip hop groups that have been around Vancity. Each dancer has made a name for himself in his realm of expertise whether it be wacking, voguing, house, boogaloo, popping or bboy. Late Sunday afternoon, the participants of the Boogie Jam workshop at Scotiabank Dance Centre got a surprise performance by OTI. It was a chance for OTI to test new material on an audience after rehearsing their pieces for only four days. They did not disappoint and delivered a visually stunning and moving performance. I was very interested in the theme and message they were trying to convey through their performance.

Photos taken by Yvonne Chew
on September 21, 2008
at the Scotiabank Dance Centre
http://www.overtheinfluence.net

605 Collective at Roundhouse

I loved the performance by 605 Collective at the Roundhouse Performance Theatre presented by New Works on Sunday at 2pm. The show was sold out. Each dancer represented their strengths, creativity and dynamism on stage. They worked really well together. The chemistry in the team was prevalent with a very strong bond. I can see them move with fluidity and passion. The jumps and leaps were amazing. They showcased popping, contemporary and hip hop. Urban contemporary is emerging as a new and popular form. Technique and versatilty is prevalent in each dancer. Most have training in a variety of dance genres from ballet, jazz, tap, theatre, modern and hip hop. 605 Collective is one of the most talented and versatile upcoming groups. I appreciated the Q&A at the end of their performance as well as I got to know a bit of background from the skilled dancers at this performance: Josh Martin, Lisa Gelley, Maiko Miyauchi and Sasha Kozak. The most important thing I got out of the Q&A and watching their performance was that the mental aspect of being a dancer is just as important as the physical because visualization is the key to executing a great performance.

Photos by Yvonne Chew
taken on September 21, 2008
at Roundhouse Performance Theatre
http://www.605collective.com