Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and Rubberbandance Group
presented by Danceworks

March 8–10, 2007 • Enwave Theatre • Toronto

Hybridity
by Paul J. Youngman with photos (from rehearsal) by Mike Colyer

Can passion, sexual desire and the intermingling of bodies in motion be displayed in a less intoxicating manner? Humanity, with its love, anger, hate, sadness, joy and violence, manifested itself in an orgy of styles, dynamics and methods, from classical, meeting modern, hip-hop and b-boy, to aboriginal folk dancing, tai chi and chi-kung. The audience at Harbourfront Centre were transported through a constellation of discovery. Dance, when performed with passion, energy and desire, should always move you; the performance this night by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and the Rubberbandance Group did just that, with physical and emotional abandon.

Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (pronounced Ga-ha-wee), was formed in 2005 by Artistic Director, choreographer and dancer Santee Smith. The troupe's mission is "to create and promote contemporary artistic expression that reflects and honours the integrity of the Indigenous cultural aesthetic and world view."

Rubberbandance Group is a collective of excellent dancers from contemporary and break-dance backgrounds that unite to investigate human relationships through an innovative mix of hip-hop dynamics and contemporary classicism. In 2002, after years of exploring dance and theatre from urban, classical and contemporary angles, Victor Quijada, Artistic Director, choreographer and dancer formed Rubberbandance Group. His choreographic work examines humanity and human relationships through a unique fusion of these dance and theatre styles.