Back for two nights only!
We sadly had to cut our run of Family of Jazz short in the spring due to COVID, but we are thrilled to bring it back for two nights in Calgary before we take excerpts of the show on the road to perform at FFDN Festival Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 in Toronto.
(For more info about the Toronto performances CLICK HERE)
A joyful new piece featuring the DJD dancers, live music by the Rubim de Toledo Ensemble as well as new works choreographed by Brandi Coleman, Melanie George, Lisa LaTouche and Kimberley Cooper.
2022/2023
Artistic Director’s Message
Kimberley Cooper
Welcome back. What a difference a year makes, what a difference a moment can make…
I don’t believe we are on the other side yet, maybe we are on another side, here we are, opening our arms and hearts with hope of live experiences, of health, of great times!
We have an ambitious season planned, let’s dream big and see…
Choreography: Kimberley Cooper, Brandi Coleman, Melanie George and Lisa Latouche
Dancers: Alisha Ahmadi, Thys Armstrong, Scott Augustine, Cassandra Bowerman, Sabrina Comanescu, Jason Owin F. Galeos, Kaja Irwin, and Natasha Korney, Kaleb Tekeste
Original music performed live each performance by Rubim de Toledo (Musical Director, Composer, Bass), Chris Andrew (Piano), Jon McCaslin (Drums), Karimah (Vocals), Carsten Rubeling (Trombone), Bob Tildesley (Trumpet), and Raul Gomez Tabera (Percussion)
Designers: Sarah Doucet (costumes) and Brian MacNeil (lights)
...it was the sheer joy of jazz that won the night, just as advertised, and no one could possibly have gone away disappointed from the DJD Dance Centre feeling anything less than uplifted.
Stephen Bonfield - Calgary Herald
VIEW ARTICLE
De Toledo’s compositions, and the versatility of his band, allow the dancers to cover various shades of the jazz genre and its rhythmic cousins, including Afro-beat, samba, swing and fusion.
While interaction between musician and dancer is nothing new for DJD, Family of Jazz will include some intriguing one-on-one collaborations. During the second act, Natasha Korney will dance to an improvised solo by trombonist Carsten Rubeling.
Eric Volmers - Calgary Herald
VIEW ARTICLE
And what figures to make this Family of Jazz special is the blend of bodies in motion and live music – an increasing rarity in a world where digital culture has cut the feet out from under live performers, much to the chagrin of a choreographer like Cooper.
"The relationship between dance and music is essential to jazz and having a live band takes that relationship to the next level," she says. "This band is incredible, two drummers, two horns, keys, bass and a singer, the music is fantastic and I think audiences will have trouble sitting still."
Stephen Hunt - CTV News
VIEW ARTICLE
Parking at DJD
The DJD Dance Centre parkade offers FREE underground parking Monday to Friday after 5PM and on Saturdays and Sundays. The parkade is free to valid ticket holders and students. Please note a code is needed to enter the parkade. (you will receive a code for the parkade 24 hours before the performance you are attending or with your class purchase). You can access the DJD parkade off Centre Street (at the back of the Kahanoff Centre).
Please note: There is a 6 foot maximum height restriction for our underground parking.
Additional parking
Two large paid-public parking lots are located at the South and East sides of the building. Two-hour meter street parking is available on Center Street SE, between 12 and 13 Avenue SE. Two disabled parking spaces are available on the south side of the building.