Championing a multi-generational group in a multitude of artistic genres, Xtraordinary TO Dances (XTOD) is a ten-year dream come to life for Kaeja d’Dance’s artistic directors, Karen and Allen Kaeja. This gallery features some of Toronto’s finest, a glimpse into the twenty-two-dancer XTOD cast, which includes Peggy Baker, Nova Bhattacharya, Shawn Byfield, Michael Caldwell, Robert Desrosiers, Esmeralda Enrique, Jasmyn Fyffe, Roshanak Jaberi, Allen Kaeja, Karen Kaeja, Benjamin Kamino, Hari Krishnan, Mi Young Kim, Emily Law, Claudia Moore, Pulga Muchochoma, Roula Said, Ofilio Sinbadinho, Santee Smith, Brian Solomon, Robert Stephen and William Yong.
The first two phases of XTOD were the creation of Allen Kaeja’s one-take live stream, which follows the sequence of artists improvising within a landscape, and XTOD: Moments In Reel Time, in which each dancer chose a Toronto location to perform an improvised one-minute solo. Finally, phase three brings Karen Kaeja’s vision to life with the live performance of XTOD Solo Dance Xchange happening February 1st through 3rd, 2018, at Streetcar Crowsnest in Toronto. Here, each dancer will perform a three-minute solo inspired and fertilized by the XTOD film footage from one of the other artists, whose name they drew from a hat. Eric Cadesky and Phil Strong, the film’s two composers, will be improvising onstage while lighting designer Simon Rossiter will highlight the evening. XTOD: Moments In Reel Time will premiere before each performance.
Watch phase one of XTOD, the live stream >> youtube.com/watch?v=o0W-R7arnnQ
Tagged: All, Allen Kaeja, Benjamin Kamino, Hari Krishnan, Karen Kaeja, Pulga Muchochoma, All
