A collaboration between Vancouvers Goh Ballet and Guangdongs Modern Dance Company is breaking new ground.
Theres no way the two dance companies, with an ocean between them, could pull off the world premiere of Mustard Seed at the 麻豆传媒映画International Dance Festival in March without technology bringing the two worlds together beforehand.
Technology has definitely made it easy. Its really helped, says , the 麻豆传媒映画ballet schools director.
When Chan was in Guangzhou Vancouvers sister city as part of last years trade mission with Mayor Gregor Robertson, she met with Liu Qi, the Guangdong Modern Dance Companys choreographer. (Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong province.) Their idea of a dance performed by the two companies was embraced by VID festival founders (Kokoro Dance).
The constant back-and-forth communication between continents is especially important because the new dance piece is, by its very nature, spontaneous.
It is something that Liu has wanted to do for a while, Goh says. Its based on games its play. Its not meant to have too many restrictions or limitations. She said, Ive put combinations together and I want to see how the dancers take it further and explore it within themselves so it truly is a collaboration.
The final product will be much like a science project. Liu will be tweaking it right up to the performances at 麻豆传媒映画Playhouse on March 7 and 8, and then tweaking it long afterwards as the dance grows from the seed of an idea.
Goh had the tough job of choosing 10 of her dancers, who were videoed so Qi could get a sense of their range. They were also measured for costumes that will be made by Qis troupe. Qi is in 麻豆传媒映画for two weeks on her own so she can work with Goh Ballets dancers and then 15 of her dancers will arrive 10 days before the performances so they all work together.
My dancers need to feel and experience the voice of the choreographer, Goh says of Goh Ballets first collaboration.
Goh Ballet is known as a classical ballet company but Chan, a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, knows that her students need to be versatile. In that way, Qi is an excellent bridge because Quangdong Modern Dance Company has been a pioneer of contemporary dance in tradition-rich China.
Its already getting there as a distinctive voice, Goh says. They draw on different influences in their life and thats what were getting here. Maybe Liu doesnt even have to try and already to us its out of the box.
The evening will feature Mustard Seed as well as a piece by Qis company and a Goh Ballet performance of George Ballanchines Walspurgisnacht Ballet.
Tickets are $50-$60. If you match it with tickets to Galvan on March 22 or 23, the Playhouse pass is $96. Go to or call 604-662-4966 for tickets and details. Goh Ballets adaptation of Sleeping Beauty is in June. Go to for details.
