What is your first memory of dance?

Every time I walk into a studio to take a dance class, or teach, or to rehearse. My senses are overwhelmed. Though I have little memory of my first dance class (ballet and I was 3), one of my strongest first memories of dance when I returned many years later was buying my first shoes. I was taking modern dance, so they were half-soles. They looked very different from what contemporary dancers wear today. They looked like this:

You can still purchase this style today!

I still can remember how they smelled and the feel of them on my feet when I would dance.

Tell us…..What is your first memory of dance?

Reviews are in!!

Here is what people are saying about reSURGEnce:

reSURGEnce by Kinetic Elements was like watching an extended episode of So You Think You Can Dance and I mean that as a compliment. I hope that TV shows like SYTYCD encourage people who wouldn’t normally see live dance to go and see shows like reSURGEncebecause it is wonderfully entertaining and performed by a very talented bunch of dancers.

The show is divided into short pieces and they all have something to say through their dance. This young company is a positive role model for their peers as they do not shy away from dancing about sexuality, the concept of beauty and the G2o. They commit to their dancing fully and you can see them sweating and hear them breathing which all adds to the power of the piece.

The music choices are perfect and some of them really evoked emotion within me. The ensemble worked exceptionally well together but I personally had a hard time looking at anybody else when Chelsea Lee was on stage, she is a fascinating dancer and has a very strong presence.

I also loved the two solo pieces by Elizabeth Vecchio and Sandra Clarke. Vecchio’s piece was extremely powerful and her costume choice added to the piece as well. Clarke’s piece was beautiful and her music choice was paired wonderfully with her choreography. In another piece these two performed together for a moment with just their backs to the audience and the lines they created were amazing.

The whole show was a wonderful way to pass an hour and anyone who loves dance should see this show and anyone who wants to be introduced to dance should see this show, the pieces are short so you get a real taste test of different styles and dances. I commend Kendra Hughes on creating this company and her excellent choreography.

To see the full review and reviews of other Toronto Fringe Shows please visit here!

Potential Performance- Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival

Youth Moves

June 5, 2011 | 2 pm
Co-operator’s Hall
River Run Centre

Symmetry takes a look at the concept of beauty, and transcending the conventional ideas of beauty posed by society. Together choreographer Kendra Hughes and the dancers have worked together to create Symmetry.

Kinetic Elements Is Performing at FAT!

Kinetic Elements is a part of Toronto Alternative Fashion Week!

We are performing reSURGEnce on Friday April 29th as part of their theme Dress Codes: The theme explores work that is influenced by different cultural groups, subcultures, demographics, politics, sex and gender identities. The night will showcase designers and artists whose work looks at the social significance of clothing and who we are, defined by what we wear. It’s going to a fantastic evening with so many talented people. We go on stage at 7pm tomorrow night and we hope to see you there for a night of fashion and fun! For more information please visit www.getfat.ca

First Impressions

It is a new year and a fresh start again at rehearsals with Kinetic Elements. There is a lot coming up for us on the horizon. It made me really sit back and remember what it was like to be a dancer coming into rehearsal for the first time. For me it was such an exciting time! I enjoyed meeting new people, learning new choreography and I was always interested to see what the music choice would be. I can’t wait to get started!

Resources – Twitter

I love the information age! At a touch of a button we have so much at our fingertips. Kinetic Elements is on twitter and you can follow us for inspirational quotes, quick tips, facts and the latest news about what is going on with our company. As well a chance to win free tickets to shows, free classes and more!

Here is a list of fantastic people in the dance world that we recommend to follow on twitter:

Answers for Dancers : Grover Dale had one goal in mind when he launched his site in 1999. Get dancers employed and keep them working. How? Job opportunities and on-the-job know-how.

Dance Advantage : Dance writer/blogger, instructor, giving students, teachers & parents an edge in dance education. Busy mommy to a toddler too! If you follow, try and keep up 😉

4Dancers : A blog for dancers, dance teachers and others interested in dance

Rhee Gold : Publisher Dance Studio Life magazine | Producer DanceLifeTV.com

Tights and Tiaras : A blog introducing ballet to outsiders, and providing a unique insight to a male professional ballet dancers life

Who do you follow on twitter for all the latest in dance? Comment below to let us know who we missed!

Keep dancing!

Meet The Dancers: Sandra

Sandra Clarke

Sandra recently performed with As The Spirit Moves (ASM) Dance Company in the full length production of Warfare at Dancemakers Centre for Creation.  With ASM Sandra also performed at International Dance Day 2010, One City One Hope for Toronto City Mission and At Night at the Theatre.

Sandra works with visual artist Cesar Ferero and dancer Michelle Moylan combining installation art and dance performance. They have performed at several Toronto Art Galleries including DeLeon, Headbones and Artscapes Barns. They toured their work to Edmonton Alberta in 2009.

Sandra is currently a dancer for The Dance Company performing at special events within the GTA.

Upon receiving a grant from the Waterloo Region Arts Fund in 2008 Sandra and a partner produced and choreographed a full length dance production entitled A Holiday Celebration in Dance which was performed at The Registry Theatre in downtown Kitchener.

Performance highlights; Toronto International Dance Festival, Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, Nuit Blanche 07 The Invisible City with Desireada Dance Theatre, Cambridge Arts Festival, Royal City Musicals – Kiss Me Kate, Violence Against Women Awareness Event, Women’s Journey 2009, Choreographer’s Ball Kitchener 09, and Habourfront Centre in Fandango by Robert Desrosiers.

Sandra has a degree in dance from Ryerson University and has also studied at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and with Dance Theatre David Earle. Sandra continues to train in jazz, modern and ballet with various professional teachers.

Sandra is very excited to be a part of Kinetic Elements!

Q&A

What is your favourite book?

I like poems by Khalil Gibran

Why did you start dancing?

I was a gymnast and enjoyed acting – dance was a good combination of both!

Name one great moment in your life;

Finding out I got into Ryerson for dance!

What is your favourite word?

Empathy

What is your least favourite word?

Oppression

You can see Sandra perform with Kinetic Elements at the 60 x 60 Dance Toronto event. It will be held at the Music Gallery on Saturday, November 20th. More details to come!