Kids Find Meaning with RUBBERBANDance Group

RUBBERBANDance Group is known for its creative risk-taking, innovative choreography, and melding of technical expertise and dance prowess with youth inspired movements like hip-hop. The result is a hybrid of physical expression, marrying discipline and tradition, with the sensibility of the street. Their new work, Empirical Quotient, was co-commissioned by Guelph Dance and will be presented on Friday, March 28 at 8pm at River Run Centre.

While they're in Guelph, the Group is presenting 6 lecture/demonstrations for young audiences through the "Linamar for the Performing Arts" program, reaching a total of 4200 kids. We sat in on their first show this morning and caught up with the kids afterwards.

Choreographer Victor Quijada knows how to hold the attention of a young audience. Going back and forth between snippets of their full-length works and demonstrations of their unique choreographic method, Victor helps the kids to see meaning behind the movement.

Victor asks "Do you like what you see?" The Main Stage Theatre is engulfed in a resounding "YEAHHHH!" "Well for my next experiment, I'm going to need your help". Hands shoot up, with plenty of volunteers for Victor to choose from.

Victor's 5 eager volunteers each act out a word - everyone, think, dance, really, amazing - and he helps coach them to add layers to their movement, whether its a wave, a few chest pops, or a turn. Within only a few minutes, we have a short sequence that says, "Everyone think(s) dance (is) really amazing!"
After their final excerpt from Empirical Quotient, Victor has the Group members introduce themselves. An eclectic mix of dancers from Venezuela, the US, Italy, and Vancouver, 3 of whom are Juilliard-trained, help the kids to realize that "you can create new styles of dance with other people" and that "dance styles can be all mixed up".

This was one teacher's first-ever dance performance, and she was expecting a full-length piece, but was excited that there was some instruction of the RUBBERBAND Method, as "this was a great way to connect with the kids".

When I asked about their favourite part, I was excited to hear them use the words that choreographer Victor Quijada used: "threading!", "freezing!", "pushing and reacting!", "the technique with the loopholes!"

Some kids couldn't put their favourite parts into words, so instead, they showed me! I think we may have inspired more than a few kids to find their own unique style. Dorothy Fisher, a long-time volunteer with Guelph Dance and River Run Centre, pointed out that "when the kids come out re-enacting what they saw, you know you got 'em".

We would love to get you too! Get your tickets for the full-length performance of Empirical Quotient on Friday, March 28 at 8pm at River Run Centre Box Office: 519-763-3000.

What Makes Our March Break Camp Magical

We had a fabulous week at our 2014 Arts Explosion March Break Camp, but then again, we always have a great time at camp! We want to share with you why our counsellors, campers, and camper parents think our camp is so magical. 

Lynette Segal led the 4-5 year old campers in creative movement. Here they are waking up and stretching like bears coming out of hibernation. The theme of "spring awakening" helped to guide our activities throughout the week.

As one grandparent commented, our camp has a "good variety of activities, enthusiastic instructors, a great venue, and high quality art instruction". This does sound like a winning formula! It can also be the little things that make a difference. While we receive lots of compliments for being well-organized overall, having the coats, boots, snow pants, and backpacks lined up at the end of the day to make pick-up easier was an extra touch that did not go unnoticed. Special thanks to our counsellors for taking on even the unglamorous tasks!

Left: Campers' art work made it feel like spring had sprung even through the mid-March blizzard that we faced! Right: We are fortunate to be in the position of witnessing the campers develop their masterpieces, and the pride that goes along with art-making.

We love to hear that campers enjoyed their time with us. Some are already looking forward to summer camp:

"It was the best thing that my son has done over March Break. It was wonderful!"

"Wonderful job! It was interesting for both my girls and we would sign them up again!"

The camp is great at "keeping the kids active and looking forward to the next day. My daughter had a fantastic time and is already talking about coming back in the summer!"

"My daughter had a fabulous week and we'll be back!"

Left: The Blue Group learned shaping in contemporary dance with Jasmin McGraw. Right: They even got to use balloons to help them through the exploration of different body postures!

We had an amazing team of volunteer camp counsellors and art assistants, who the campers said they "LOVE". Turns out that the counsellors love camp too! In the words of one of our team leaders, "I love this camp! So much fun, an awesome atmosphere, and these kids are the best. I'd much rather spend my time here than at home on the computer."

Top: The Red Group worked on building their muscles and their confidence in hip hop with Carolyn Hebert. Bottom: The Blue Group sang "Here Comes the Sun" at the showcase on Friday afternoon, complete with guitar accompaniment and sunshine-y yellow scarves!

We would like to thank our energetic and creative instructors - Carolyn Hebert, Shannon Kingsbury, Jasmin McGraw, Janet Morton, and Lynette Segal - as well as our team of 20 volunteers for their amazing work. Camp would not be possible without them. In the words of a grateful parent, "Every child is happy and so engaged. It's lovely to see. The camp is run very well and all counsellors and teachers are so happy to be here. That speaks volumes."

Our campers and counsellors strike a pose at snack time in the River Run Centre lobby. Camp is a great place to re-connect with old friends and make new ones!

We are happy to say that with the help of our donors to the Monica Davis Camp Scholarship Fund we were able to provide 5 families with subsidized spaces for their child. It touches our hearts that many of you have made this possible and that we can witness the joy it brings to the children. One child hugged our staff on Friday and said "I am so sad, I do not want this camp to ever end".  We have a waiting list of children hoping to attend the Summer Camps at subsidized rates. Please donate today to help make this possible!

Like what you see? Registration for our 2014 Arts Explosion Summer Camps, July 7-11 & 14-18, is available now through the River Run Centre. We are also recruiting volunteer camp counsellors and art assistants. Contact Lindsay at info@guelphdance.ca for more information. We would love to have you join us!

Guelph Dance Workshops in Schools

A Unique Experience

This week, Guelph Dance’s Co-Artistic Director Janet Johnson held 2 full-day workshops at Westwood Public School and Willow Road Public School. The students attended the workshops with smiles and laughter. For most, this was a once in a lifetime experience. All eyes were on Janet and all ears were tuned into Sam Cino's incredible drumbeats.

Children arrived curious and wide-eyed. Clear that Janet had many years experience with children and dance, she had their attention immediately. Janet began by introducing herself to the students and telling them her favourite animal … an elephant? Or was it a loon? The children replied with their favourites. Within minutes the drums were thumping and Janet had the children moving. She had the group running to warm up, dancing as a group, playing games and allowing them to use their creative minds through dance. I sat quietly in the background with my camera, hoping the children wouldn’t be distracted by me or my flash. Fortunately, I went unnoticed, other than the odd child smiling at me at the beginning or end of the class. For example:

In today's workshops we handed out feedback forms to all the children who attended Janet's classes. Every child wrote about how much fun they had! 
The following are some of our favourite feedback form quotes:

Do you like dance and why?
“Yes, because it inspires me!” – Nicole, age 11.

Did you experience something new about yourself today?

“Yes, that you can be very creative and don’t worry about what others say!” – Nicole, age 11.

“Yes. I felt free.” – Mikayla, age 11.

“I was more energetic today” – Jay, age 10.

“I didn’t really like dance until today!” – Jordan, age 11.

“I experienced to not give up when it’s hard.” – Fiza, age 10.

“Yes, that you can express yourself in more ways.” – Lily, age 10.

“Yes, that I have a passion to dance.” Niramay, age 9.

What did you learn today?

“I learned a lot of dance moves and I can’t wait to show my mom and dad and my brothers and sisters.” – Fiza, age 10.

“I learned today that you’re not wrong or right, just be yourself and be normal!” – Mariam, age 10.

“I can express myself by dancing.” Rachel, age 9.

Other comments:

“It was AWESOME! I loved it so much, it was the first time I had that much fun in a long time.” – Jovianne, age 10.

“The teacher and drummer were awesome!” – Milkah, age 10.

We cannot stress the importance of exercise and the arts enough in children's lives. These workshops are an incredible way for children to try something new  and to truly allow their creative side to blossom. In many feedback forms children wrote of their surprise regarding how much better they were at dance than they expected. Others who believed they didn't like dance now had a new love for it. 

Please enjoy a short video of one of the exercises enjoyed by a Grade 4 class at Willow Road Public School:

The following are a few photos taken throughout the classes. I hope they capture a glimpse of the happiness these children were omitting in these classes.

Thank you to Janet and Sam for all their hard work and dedication! 

Teaching at the Arts Explosion March Break Camp

We talked to Amelia Griffin and Anik Bouvrette of Tara Luz Danse after their inspiring workshops at the Guelph Dance March Break Arts Explosion Camp. Amelia describes the experience from the educators’ perspective.

Amelia: It has been almost two weeks since Tara Luz Danse visited Guelph for the March Break camp and it’s still on my mind. Both Anik (artistic director of Tara Luz Danse) and I agree that our time in Guelph was truly special for us. We worked with each group (Green, Blue and Red), sharing the principles of creation and movement that we teach in workshops in Franco-Ontarian high schools in the Ottawa area with adults, as well Anik’s creative process with the company. It confirmed for us that, regardless of your age, within each person lays a wealth of creativity and unique movement. It was exciting to see that the principles we work with in our daily lives can also bring joy, movement, and connection to another city!

 

Amelia Griffin at our March Break Arts Explosion Camp. Photo: Randy Sutherland.

The Dance Focus (Green) group was a real treat for us. We rarely have the opportunity to teach class to youth, let alone in our own company! I, personally, was very impressed with how the group adapted their way of moving to Anik’s very fluid and organic movement, which can switch quickly to static or precise movement. Bravo, guys!! Our piece was very full of movement and included so much of what we worked on, and the results exceeded our expectations. I applaud everyone in this group for taking on our collective creation with a fun spirit and wonderful level of maturity. Beautiful work all round!

The Blue group was just as exciting to work with. So much positivity and openness to ideas in one room! We felt like there was no end to the possibilities of choreography, and ended up with a very interesting (including flashlights and voice dubbing!) piece. We were reminded that lots of crazy giggles gave way to endless possibilities of creation. Great work, Blue group!

The last, but very much not the least (29 of you!), was the very energetic Red group. We were very curious to see how our work could translate to a much younger group. All I can say is—success! I found so many new ways of approaching these concepts by working with young kids, as they see the world with such amazement, simplicity and fearlessness. Each child had the opportunity to dance in their own way, as well as copying other people’s way of moving in the Rainbow choreography. It’s rare that I consistently laugh so hard. Thank you Red group for bringing us your joyful energy!

With each group both Anik and I learned that there are still no ends to possibilities within the work that we do. We truly believe that, given the chance, each person has a wealth of creativity and movement to share with the world and it’s worth exploring. Thank you to all the campers for your generosity and openness with us, to all the volunteers for your help, to Adam for the beautiful music, to Janet and Catrina and Guelph Dance for inviting us, to the Case family for giving us a home away from home, and to Guelph in general for being so generous. You all inspired us and filled our hearts with joy. Un grand MERCI!!

Amelia Griffin

(dancer with Tara Luz Danse)

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Tickets for our Arts Explosion Summer Camps are now available.