From experimental theatre to contemporary dance and aerial circus arts, the Emergency Festival – now in its 23rd year – showcases local artists creating new work.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

Schedule:

Program A: The Theatre on King (50mins)

Friday April 3rd at 8pm, Saturday April 4th at 2pm and 7pm

Program B: Market Hall (85 mins including 15 min intermission) 

Saturday April 4th at 3:30pm and 8:30pm

Programs:

Program A: The Theatre on King

Program length: 50 minutes

Getting My Mords Wixed

Hermione Rivison

Joy, the clown experiences the audacity of scammers, and the cheekiness that comes of being questioned by an ‘authoritative’ figure. Joy invites you to help her her out as she meets these characters. She wants you to consider another perspective, she pulls out the humour and the gravity of situations that we face on a regular basis. There are no wrong answers but there may be ones that are more correct or useful to us.

Thank you to Hilary Wear for her feedback and to Public Energy for the opportunity to perform.

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Aging, Disability and Difference World-Making

Nadine Changfoot

Nadine Changfoot, Mary Anne Ansley, Andrea Dodsworth (dancers-movers)

Mark Julson (accompianist)

Dreda Blow (outside eye)

In Aging, Disability and Difference World-Making, encounters of ableism and ageism that manifest in othering among three aging women living with diverse abilities and difference transform into affective connection and entanglements of collective and individual energies and possibilities.

We would like to thank Public Energy, The Theatre on King, Bodies in Translation: Activist Art, Technology, and Access to Life, and Studio 505 for their support!

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A Song for Evermor

Ann Jaeger

Concept and design by Ann Jaeger

Performance and choreography by Kate Story and Ryan Kerr

Music by Tin Vespers

Based on the 2011 musical suite of the same name by Tin Vespers, A Song for Evermor is inspired by the real life story of the largest free-standing scrap metal sculpture in the world and its eccentric creator, Tom Every with his alter ego, Dr. Evermor. It is a two fold love story about Dr. Evermor’s love for his wife, Lady Eleanor, and his passion, or perhaps obsession, for his creation.

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Program B: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

Program length: 85 minutes (including 15 minute intermission)

Lungs & Leaves

Dreda Blow

Choreographed and danced by Dreda Blow, original musical score by Bruno Merz, song performed by Cormac Culkeen

Born from the earth, a creature is gifted with a fleeting, flickering moment to live. Inspired by the twisting, curving shapes and breaths of the natural world, this dance solo reflects on life’s cycles, so precious and vulnerable. 

 

 

 

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The Book of Miles: Genesis

Paul Epstein

Paul Epstein, Lester Alfonso

Everything is a little out of reach for Miles, including identity, belonging, and his toothbrush. Physical Theatre artist Paul Epstein explores diaspora from the top of a ladder, and tragic history when it seems to be coming around again, and again, and again. Is it funny?

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Bonestories

Iréni Stamou

Choreography: Irèni Stamou

Dancers: Irèni Stamou, Dreda Blow

Music: Youman

Bonestories comprises two solo dances, each emerging out of the other. A mythical ancestral call to protect nature and stop violence against women. Stories of spirit from deep within the bones and a glimpse into a larger choreography yet to come.

Thank you: The Monocle Centre for the Arts, Inner Quiet Yoga

*While this performance did not go through the original call for submissions, after Emergency #23 saw the loss of one of the originally programmed works for this season, Irèni Stamou graciously offered to perform as a part of the festival having recently prepared this piece for the Small Dance for a Small Space Festival in February 2020. 

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Fat.Girl.Riot

Kristal Jones

Written/Performed by: Kristal Jones

Stage Direction/Mentor/Outside Eye: Diana Stephans 

Lights and Projection: Mark L. Craighead

A Poetic Projection Performance. Local Artist Kristal Jones showcases a mosaic of her bodies of work spanning across photographic, poetic, and movement based mediums. This one woman show celebrates the evolution of self love for a fat femme in her 30s, using humor, authenticity and powerful vulnerability. Kristal hope’s this piece leaves you filled with self compassion and feeling like you’ve been seen.

Content Advisory: This performance contains full or partial nudity.

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The Clarity of Brightness

Wes Ryan

poetry by PJ Thomas

choreography by Wes Ryan

featuring: Caroline Barber, Kristen Hampson, Pat Lewis, Phil Lyons, and Mariya Yagnyukova

The Clarity of Brightness is an exploration of mental health, poetry, community, resilience, and the feminine. Told through poetry, dance, and theatre, this production features a cast of people with disabilities who each bring their own physicality and arts practice to the production. Each performer explores the physical while reciting verse, creating an atmosphere of verbatim dance. Set to the poetry of PJ Thomas and choreographed by Wes Ryan, The Clarity of Brightness invites audiences to peek into crevices of humanity often ignored by society.

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Main Image: everybeauty.ca (Lungs & Leaves, Dreda Blow)