Ballet Kelowna
taqəš and Other Works
Photo: Seger Nelson
Founded in 2002, and under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO (AD/CEO) Simone Orlando since 2014, Ballet Kelowna delivers compelling and inspiring performances to regional, national, and international audiences. The Company presents numerous styles of dance from Canada’s finest emerging and established choreographers, and embraces the precision and athleticism of ballet technique to create original new works that captivate and engage today’s diverse audiences. Serving as the only professional dance company in BC’s Interior, Ballet Kelowna is committed to its role as a leader in the region through encouraging, promoting, and developing Canadian dancers and choreographers. The Company performs annually for over 12,000 audience members in Kelowna and on tour, while also providing unique dance training opportunities and outreach programs. AD/CEO Simone Orlando is an award-winning choreographer and former dancer with Ballet BC and The National Ballet of Canada. Ms. Orlando is actively leading Ballet Kelowna in collaborations with other community organizations, to educate and cultivate new dance audiences, and to enhance the impact of performances and programs.
Ballet Kelowna respectfully acknowledges our presence on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people.
taqəš and Other Works
The taqəš and Other Works program opens with taqəš [tawKESH], which means “to return something” in Ayajuthem, the language belonging to the Homalco, Klahoose, K’omoks and Tla’amin Nations. Visionary choreographer Cameron Fraser-Monroe brings his classical ballet training, knowledge of traditional Coast Salish, Grass, and Hoop Dance, and experience as a contemporary dancer to this poignant piece. Set to several songs by Polaris prize-winning composer and singer Jeremy Dutcher, taqəš follows the traditional story “Raven Returns the Water”, centred around ῤoho (raven) and walθ (frog). Next, former Ballet BC dancer and rising choreographer Kirsten Wicklund applies a humanistic perspective to her relationship with classical vocabulary and form. Set to Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F Major and original music created by Wicklund, Disembark reflects on a world disrupted. The dramatic intensity of the work is further amplified through lighting created by Vancouver-based designer James Proudfoot and costumes by Toronto-based designer Krista Dowson. Rounding out the program, National Ballet of Canada Choreographic Associate Guillaume Côté brings strength and fragility to a fascinating interpretation of the beloved Bolero by Maurice Ravel, one of music’s most famous and identifiable melodies. A “riveting tour de force” (Dance Magazine), Bolero (2012) features breath-taking lifts and virtuosic choreography.
Performance History
May 2022: Quebec Tour
MONTREAL, QC - Salle Iro Valaskakis-Tembeck - May 11, 2022
MONTREAL, QC - Quai 5160 - May 13, 2022
MONTREAL, QC - Salle Désilet - May 15, 2022
VICTORIAVILLE, QC - Carré 150 / Salle les Frères Lemaire - May 18, 2022
February-March 2022: Atlantic Tour
A 3-city tour in Atlantic Canada: Fredericton NB, Saint John NB, Charlottetown PEI
November 2019: BC Tour
8 small communities (pop. 2,5K - 10K) in BC + offering masterclasses. Venue capacity 200 to 800 with small to large prosceniums.
Project Details
Project created by: Ballet Kelowna commissioned Cameron Fraser-Monroe and Kirsten Wicklund to create their respective works in 2021. Bolero is choreographed by Guillaume Côté and entered Ballet Kelowna's repertoire in 2019.
Key Collaborators:
taqəš
CHOREOGRAPHER: Cameron Fraser-Monroe
MUSIC: Jeremy Dutcher, Oqiton, Essuwonike, Ultestakon | Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
LIGHTING DESIGN: James Proudfoot
COSTUMES: Cameron Fraser-Monroe
Disembark
CHOREOGRAPHER: Kirsten Wicklund
MUSIC: Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18: ll. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato performed by Juilliard String Quartet and original arrangement by Kirsten Wicklund after George Gershwin
LIGHTING DESIGN: James Proudfoot
COSTUME DESIGN: Krista Dowson and Kirsten Wicklund
Bolero
CHOREOGRAPHER: Guillaume Côté
MUSIC: Maurice Ravel, Bolero
COSTUME DESIGN: Yannick Larivée
LIGHTING DESIGN: Rylee Block after Jeff Logue
Audience: General Audience
Length in minutes: 80 minutes including 1 intermission - mixed program
Space required:
Preparation required: This program requires load-in and tech the day prior to the performance day.
General technical requirements: Ballet Kelowna requires a wood floor for performances (i.e. no concrete). For touring in BC, Ballet Kelowna tours with a Marley dance floor and lighting equipment.
Availability: February 23 – March 4, 2023, November 6 – Dec. 3, 2023; February 18 – March 17, 2024; May 6 – June 30, 2024, November 4 – Dec. 1, 2024; February 17 – March 30, 2024; May 5 – June 30, 2025
Number of performers on tour including choreographer: 10
Number of support staff on tour: 5
Community Engagement Activities
1) Artistic Director, Rehearsal Director, or company dancer teaches 1.5-hour ballet master class for dance students 12 years old and up.
2) Entire company leads 2-hour community workshop where body awareness exercises and excerpts of company repertoire are taught.
3) Post-performance Q and A with dancers hosted by Artistic Director/CEO.
Contact: Ballet Kelowna, ad.ceo@balletkelowna.ca
Website: balletkelowna.ca
Facebook: balletkelowna
Instagram: balletkelowna
Photo: Seger Nelson