DanceWorks Presents Gadfly

TORONTO (April 12, 2018) – DanceWorks, Toronto’s acclaimed and longest running contemporary dance series, is proud to present Toronto’s award-winning urban dance phenomenon Gadfly who perform a mixed bill entitled UNBXBL 2 that features two world premieres and two completely reworked versions of acclaimed works. Under the co-artistic direction of Apolonia Velasquez and Ofilio Sinbadinho, the program highlights Gadfly’s signature movement style rooted in urban dance and captivating artistry. This exhilarating program runs from Thursday May 3 to Saturday May 5, at Harbourfront Centre Theatre as part of the NextSteps dance series.

ANOMYKZ  2.0 – Norms or Normals is choreographed by Ofilio Sinbadinho. Originally created in 2013, ANOMYKZ  2.0 was co-commissioned by Harbourfront Centre and Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre.  Sinbadinho weaves threads of Urban Dance realness with Contemporary finesse into a surreal animalistic world. Catch a snippet of the original ANOMYKZ  here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NppDk9rouqY

The new version of KLOROFYL 3.0 – Thrive or Survive is co-choreographed by Apolonia Velasquez and Ofilio Sinbadinho together. Originally created in 2011 by Sinbadinho to critical acclaim (“top of the line urban contemporary dance” – Paula Citron, Classical FM),  KLOROFYL was commissioned by Dance Ontario and premiered by Gadfly at Dance Ontario Weekend. It went on to win the Dora Award for Outstanding Performance (Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps). Inspired by the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai, KLOROFYL tells the story of fallen warriors who become each other’s second chance to live and matter. Catch a snippet of the original KLOROFYL here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LvXHRDQW3Q

Both ANOMYKZ 2.0 and KLOROFYL 3.0 are choreographed to a driving soundtrack by Dr. Draw in collaboration with each work’s choreographer(s).

Gadfly also creates two power-filled, boundary-breaking world premieres for the evening: FENOMENA, a ballet à la Gadfly and DESPITEBECAUSE an immersive experience.

Gadfly is an Urban Dance repertory company and choreography unit powered by Artistic Directors Ofilio Sinbadinho and Apolonia Velasquez who merge art with entertainment through authenticity, artistry and athleticism. Gadfly’s body of work includes full-evening works, performances at Ted Talks Toronto, Nuit Blanche, Oakville Jazz Festival, Montreal Fringe, Festival DansEncore, and more. Its 2011 performance of KLOROFYL for Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps earned them the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance.  Ofilio and Apolonia are co-founders of TUDS Festival of Urban Dance Culture, three-time finalists for the KM Hunter Award in Dance, Manifesto Award recipients for Innovation & Originality, and Dance Ontario recipients for Innovation. Originally from Montreal, the creative duo are captivating dancers, maverick choreographers and passionate professionals committed to increasing the visibility of street dance. They have been commissioned to choreograph for such companies as Ryerson School of Performance, Dusk Dances, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary), Kaeja d’Dance, TOES for Dance, Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, MOonHORsE Dance Theatre and the animated series Kuu Kuu Harajuku, among others. http://gadfly.ca/

On the final evening of UNBXBL 2, DanceWorks hosts its annual fabulous (and affordable) Silent Auction and Patron Appreciation Night. Patrons are encouraged to come early on May 5 (doors open at 7:00pm) to view the offerings, bid often and stay after the show to top up any bids to make sure they are the winners for their desired treasures. Delicious hors d’oeuvres served; cash bar.

Media Refer:  Dianne Weinrib – DW Communications   dw@dwcommunications.net  416-703-5479

 

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