Newton Moraes Dance Theatre is celebrating its 16th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of “Brazil, the Land of Tears and Soul & “Mulher em Branco” at the Winchester Theatre, February 04 to 07 2015 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 Adults $20 Students and seniors.
In the course of a full-evening choreography, the audience will experience the diversity and complexity of contemporary Brazilian culture. “Finally, Brazil’s time has come,” says choreographer and company founder, Newton Moraes. “For years, Brazil felt passed over and ignored. But now, the country is alive and awake and we Brazilians are feeling the responsibility of decision-making and power.”
Many of these themes reflect Newton’s own awakening following the loss of his partner and mentor of 23 years. “As my body and soul heal, my creative and spiritual energy are coming alive in a new way,” he says.
The work was developed collaboratively with a powerful, multicultural cast. The dancers, who come from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, bring texture and diversity to the creation and performance of the piece.
The choreography uses Afro-Brazilian and contemporary movements, danced in unison or in layers with all the cast members doing the same phrase at different times, like cascading dominoes. These sequences were learned by all the dancers and reproduced in many ways.
As the primary choreographer, Newton Moraes selected the most intriguing, challenging or exciting sequence to use in the final work.
Newton is also collaborating with visual artist Solange Escosteguy Cardoso, lighting designer Gabriel Cropley & photographer Cylla von Tiedemann.
Newton Moraes Dance Theatre performers are: Gabriela Parsons, Patrizia Ferlisi, Marco Placencio, Falciony Patino Cruz, Shakeil Rollock, Bokgabani Rakeepile, Megan Ashley Rakeepile, Julia Consertino, Matthew Cutt.
Brazil, The Land of Tears and Soul is officially supported by the Toronto Arts Council, General Consulate of Brazil in Toronto, Brazil Remittance, MELLOHAWK Logistics, Bavia Arts, Rio 40 Graus – Brazilian Restaurant, and BRAFFTV Festival. Media sponsors for the show are Discover Magazine, Brasil News, Wave Magazine, Jornal da Gente, Nossa TV Canada, Oi Toronto, Fala Brasil & DOS magazine.
Newton Moraes Dance Theatre is a company dedicated to the creation, performance and production of contemporary dance works to explore, maintain and develop the links between the arts of Canada and Latin America through the artistic vision and knowledge of its founder and artistic director, Newton Moraes.
NMDT will be touring to Montreal, Saskatoon and several Brazilian cities in 2015.
February 4 to 7, 2015 at 8:00pm
Brazil, The Land of Tears and Soul
Winchester Theatre
80 Winchester Street, Toronto ON
Tickets: $20 for Seniors, Children, CADA Members and Dance Students, $25 Adults
Buy online and your tickets will be set aside under your name, for pick up at the door.
