The Dance Centre opens its 2024/25 Global Dance Connections Series with the West Coast premiere of Agrimony, September 20 & 21 at Scotiabank Dance Centre. Vancouver-based choreographer Sophie Dow and UK-based composer/multi-instrumentalist Laura Reznek’s striking multidisciplinary collaboration walks the edge between evocative live concert and embodied contemporary dance, and examines our desperate search for authenticity within a society that forces us to mask our truest selves.
“Born out of the personal healing both Laura and I experienced, in response to times of trauma and grief in our own lives, Agrimony is a meditation on fear, connection, truth, and identity,” says Dow. “The performance takes audiences on a spellbinding journey of rediscovering one’s self recognizing and removing the masks that society has forced us to wear throughout our lives and for our own protection.”
Rooted in the artistic collaboration between Dow, a Treaty 1-born multidisciplinary artist with Michif/Assiniboine + French/Ukrainian roots, and Reznek, a composer and musician for theatre and dance, and recording artist. Agrimony is based on Reznek’s 2021 full-length indie pop album of the same name, which evolved from their joint creative project in 2018. Inspired by the small yellow flower agrimony, often used in plant medicine for healing, the work investigates the restorative power of removing the masks that have built up over time from trauma, fear, conformity, and disconnection.
Agrimony features four dance artists in intricate masks, with live musical accompaniment by Reznek on vocals, piano, violin and guitar, and four accompanying musicians. Informed by Reznek’s lyrical and introspective score, Dow’s graceful, yet highly kinetic, choreography references inquisitive, theatrical gestures, coupled with contemporary clown and mask work.
“Agrimony is an uplifting and radiant exploration of courage and authenticity,” adds Reznek. “As the performance builds, with each section reflecting new discoveries about ourselves and those around us, we ultimately learn how our own healing is the necessary catalyst for building a healthier future for our communities and our world.”
Taking place at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street, Sept. 20 & 21, 2024 at 8pm
Sept. 21, 2024 at 2pm, with each performance featuring an artist talkback with both Dow and Reznek. For tickets and show information visit thedancecentre.ca