DanceHouse presents a two-part program from Brazil’s contemporary dance company Grupo Corpo with the Vancouver premiere of Dança Sinfônica and Gira, February 28th & 29th at the Vancouver Playhouse.
In the company’s third presentation with DanceHouse, Grupo Corpo’s visionary siblings — Artistic Director Paulo Pederneiras and Choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras have choreographed two works that take a look back at the company’s 40 year history as well as touching on a dance styles from across the globe.
Opening the evening, Dança Sinfônica, was created in 2015 as a reflection of Grupo Corpo’s 40-year history. Drawing upon an eclectic fusion of ballet, samba, jazz, Afro-Brazilian rhythms and more, Dança Sinfônica is set to the company’s first original symphonic score in more than two decades, composed specially for Grupo Corpo by four-time company collaborator Marco Antônio Guimarães.
The second half of the program will showcase the brothers’ riveting Gira, a mesmerizing work inspired by the chants and ritual dances of Umbanda, an Afro-Brazilian religion that blends African traditions with Roman Catholicism and Spiritism. Audiences will witness an intimate and vulnerable ritualistic celebration showcasing 19 dancers in stripped down costumes
“It is a privilege to enter into a new decade with the highly anticipated return of the internationally-lauded Grupo Corpo — 10 years after the company made its unforgettable Vancouver debut in 2010,” says Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse. “The virtuosic company embodies the vitality and diversity of Brazil, reflecting at once its colourful folkloric traditions and contemporary spirit. Audiences are invited to revisit some of the company’s best works from its repertoire with Dança Sinfônica, and then channel the metaphysical with their breathtaking new work Gira, which made its premiere at Teatro Alfa, São Paulo, in 2017.”
Grupo Corpo returns to Vancouver February 28 and 29, 2020, presented by Dance House, 8pm at Vancouver Playhouse. Dance House’s pre-show Speaking of Dance take place at 7:15. For tickets and details visit dancehouse.ca