Peterborough’s Public Energy, the leading presenter of contemporary dance and performance in the Kawarthas, has announced its line-up of events for 2015-16 — its 22nd season. Here’s a summary of what’s coming up later this fall and winter.
The Honouring by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
On Saturday, September 19th, Del Crary Park will be transformed into a outdoor performance space when Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presents The Honouring.
Many people may not know that all First Nations took part in the War of 1812 against the United States of America as sovereign Nation allies of Britain. The Honouring pays homage to these First Nations warriors, featuring members of Onkwehonwe families who sacrificed themselves to protect Haudenosaunee sovereignty, culture, and land.
Pronounced ga-hA-wee, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre is one of Canada’s leading contemporary dance companies, recognized for its seamless fusing of Indigenous and contemporary dance into a compelling signature choreographic vision. The company was founded by Artistic Director Santee Smith, whose work is visually stunning, deeply symbolic, spiritually stirring and entertaining.
The Honouring will take place at 8:30 p.m. Admission is by donation ($10 is suggested, or pay what you can).
The Honouring Trailer
Performances May Be Permanent by Kate Story
On Thursday, September 24th, Peterborough’s own Kate Story presents the world premiere of Performances May Be Permanent at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Through dance, theatre, and live music, Performances May Be Permanent follows Story as she explores the deep personal connections between Glenn Gould, a dying mother, the nature of memory, the inner workings of a brain hooked on music, and the redemptive power of connection.
Written and performed by Story and directed by Vancouver’s Ker Wells, the 30-minute performance features live music performed by pianist Bill Brennan of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The performance takes place at 8 p.m., followed by a reception and a Q&A with Story, Wells, and Brennan. Tickets are $20 for general admission ($15 for students and underwaged and $8 for high school students).
After its world premiere in Peterborough, Performances May Be Permanent will be presented in St. John’s in October at the Festival of New Dance, one of Canada’s longest-running dance festivals.
Tame by Lara Kramer
On Saturday, October 17th, choreographer Lara Kramer presents her newest work Tame at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Tame explores instinctual reactions within a universe of personalized confinement, as three dancers navigate a chaotic landscape filled with ambiguity, off-beat humour, and colourful perversion.
Tickets are $24 for general admission ($17 for students and underwaged and $8 for high school students). The performance takes place at 8 p.m., and there will be a pre-show chat with Kramer in the lobby at 7 p.m., as well as a post-show reception with the artists in the lobby.
Lara Kramer is a First Nation dancer and choreographer whose work is intimately linked to memory and her Aboriginal roots. Working with strong visuals and narrative, Kramer’s work pushes the strength and fragility of the human spirit. Her work is political and potent, often examining political issues surrounding Canada and First Nations Peoples. Kramer has been recognized as a Human Rights Advocate through the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre.
Kramer will be Public Energy’s artist-in-residence from October 12th to 17th. During her residency, she’ll be putting the finishing touches on her brand-new work while conducting a variety of outreach activities in the community.
Tame Preview
Circus Stellar by The Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts
On Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th, The Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts (PACA) and Public Energy present Circus Stellar, a collaborative space and cosmos-themed production.
Circus Stellar will feature veteran artists of the Peterborough circus scene, as well as novice performers from PACA’s social and recreational programs in their performing debut. Performers include local circus artists Thomas Vaccaro and Victoria Wood and Opal Jennifer Elchuck, as well as pecial guest stars Justin Dale of The National Circus School and Jason Ribeiro, a provincial competitive robot designer.
Both performances take place at 7:30 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). Tickets are $25 for general admission and $8 for children under 12. This event is part of the Fuelled By Public Energy series.
Bridget Moser
Moser is a Toronto-based performance artist whose work exposes our physical, psychological, and at times absurd relationship to the world around us. Moser’s newest work is a commission by Artspace, curated by Victoria Mohr-Blakeney, and is a
The performance takes place at 8 p.m. and admission is free. This event is part of the Fuelled By Public Energy series.
Ralph + Lina by Edge of the Woods Theatre
On Wednesday, November 11th and Thursday, November 12th, Edge of the Woods Theatre presents Ralph + Lina, a rough-and-tumble romance following the struggles of two Italian lovers in the face of war, immigration, and old age.
Directed by award-winning artist Michele Smith, real-life husband and wife Dan Watson and Christina Serra take the stage to tell the very Canadian story of Serra’s grandparents and their struggle to make a better life together in a new city and country: Peterborough, Canada. With four Dora nominations and a sold-out Ontario tour, this acrobatic comedy has proven an instant favourite with audiences everywhere.
Performances take place at 8 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). A matinee performance for students in grades 7 to 12 is also available.
Tickets are $25 for general admission ($17 for students and underwaged and $8 for high school students).
Ralph + Lina Promo
Romeo & Juliet: Superstar Ice Miners of Europa!!! by Mysterious Entity Theatre
On Thursday, November 26th at 8 p.m., Mysterious Entity Theatre presents Romeo & Juliet: Superstar Ice Miners of Europa!!! at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
In this fusion of Shakespeare’s tragedy with anti-corporate sci-fi, Jupiter’s moon Europa is being mined for ice to supply water to Earth. The Bard’s original text is skillfully blended with new writing to create a space-age scenario featuring themes of environmental collapse, surveillance, celebrity culture, and homophobia.
For more information, read our review from the original November 2014 production.
Tickets are $25 for general admission ($15 for students and underwaged and $7 for high school students).
Coming in 2016
Stay tuned for next year’s Public Energy events, including the Ontario premiere of Anne Troake’s 3D film OutSideIn at the ReFrame Film Festival in January, Elvis and the Man in Black on March 12th at Showplace Performance Centre, the world premiere of Bill Coleman’s newest work Dollhouse on April 2nd at Market Hall, The Wearable Art Show and Runway Challenge on May 14th at Market Hall.
