The Capitol Theatre

(Sinixt Nation and the Yaqan Nukiy (Ktunaxa), Nelson BC)

FUSION

Project Title: FUSION

Dance Artist: Jessica McMann

Nelson: February 22th and 23th, 2023

World-renowned composer and Kora Virtuoso Tunde Jegede, Cree hoop-dancer and musician Jessica McMann, and international classical violinist Daniel Bhattacharya combine for a unique collaboration which will see the development and presentation of a multi-disciplinary piece showcased on the Capitol Theatre stage. Jessica will also be leading a community workshop exposing 25 youth (16 yrs and up) to creative dance grounded in Indigenous ways. 

On the 23rd of February, there will be an evening performance at the Capitol Theatre as part of our Season Series.

“Fusion is a unique melding of artistic genres. The collaboration of world-renowned composer and Kora Virtuoso Tunde Jegede, Cree hoop-dancer and musician Jessica McMann and international classical violinist Daniel Bhattacharya combine for a unique partnership of music and dance.”

Fusion Workshop February 22nd

This workshop will start with a presentation of the instruments and then a performance of works for kora and violin, followed by a discussion on writing for these instruments and how current media has used and combined these genres.Tunde and Daniel will explain and discuss the Griot Tradition of West Africa and how this combines with western classical music. They will share a discussion on their performance on hundreds of Hollywood soundtracks and collaborations with some of the greatest musicians of our day through their nearly 40-year-old friendship!

Fusion Performance February 23rd

You've likely heard a beautiful violin player or two before but have you ever heard a master Kora player or witnessed a Cree Hoop Dancer in person? How about all 3 at once?! Fusion is a unique melding of artistic genres. The collaboration of world-renowned composer and Kora Virtuoso Tunde Jegede, Cree hoop-dancer and musician Jessica McMann and international classical violinist Daniel Bhattacharya combine for a unique partnership of music and dance.”

“I found that there was a deeper connection between the music written for Kora and that long history and my own dance steps of which have been danced for thousands of years. My favourite part of travelling to different communities is the opportunity to teach workshops to local Indigenous people and to have an opportunity to share during a talk-back at the performance. The extra activities built into this experience offers a chance for a deeper and more personal connection.”
— Jessica McMann, Two spirit and Cree artists from Cowessess First Nation
“The collaboration itself was admirable for the simple fact of the quality of artistry on display and the rare opportunity to see a Kora virtuoso along with a Cree Hoop Dancer. The truly magical thing to witness was two artists bringing their individual and seemingly diametrically opposed forms of expression together, identifying the challenges, and then listening and watching each other intently to find the common ground on which to grow something completely new and exciting.”
— Alison Girvan, Capitol Theatre

Artists