To book Ballet Creole in your school, please contact:

Prologue to the Performing Arts Ballet Creole www.prologue.org www.balletcreole.org 416.591.9092 416.960.0350 Contact: Contact: Mary Beth McMillan ext.224 Monica Pain / Natassia Parson ext 0 Stéphanie Filippi ext. 225 production@balletcreole.org

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS IN THE ARTS

Ballet Creole has toured extensively in the School Boards across Canada for the past 15 years. We believe the Arts is an imperative part of a well-rounded education and live musicians and interactive performance is

an entertaining and educational method for informing the minds of the young and the young at heart.

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

THE COMPANY

Diversity in Harmony

Creating a New Energy

Founded in 1990 by Trinidadian born Artistic Director Patrick Parson, Ballet Creole is a non-profit charitable

organization derived of versatile dancers and musicians that perform traditional and contemporary dance

and music from around the world, with a particular emphasis on the African Diaspora.

Known as the Forerunner of Blacks in Dance in Canada , Ballet Creole represents the forging of a new

language in the dance world, a unique blending of dance traditions from the old and new world. While the

Company seeks to preserve old traditions, it also aims to establish a dynamic new artistic tradition in

Canada based on a "creolization" or fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

CURRICULUM FACTS

AUDIENCE SUITABILITY: K-6, 7-8, 9-12 Post Secondary Students, Adults LANGUAGE OF PERFORMANCES: English GENRE: Contemporary African/Caribbean, Modern Dance African Percussion/ Afro-Cuban Drumming STUDY GUIDE: Yes – included PROGRAMMING THEMES / CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS:

Folklore from African/Caribbean Culture

Celebration of Diversity, music, dance from African and Caribbean Cultures

Critical Analysis of contributing factors to cultural dances and music

Exploration of Cultural Context

Analysis of the evolution of cultural dance forms

All Performances include a Teacher’s Study Guide for Prep, Performance & Follow Up

Dance & Drum Workshops offered to enhance the performance

IN-SCHOOL PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER 2013 – JUNE 2014

“TAPESTRY” African-Caribbean Tapestry of Dance & Music

OR

“DRUMMATIX MUSICAL ENSEMBLE” Professional Display of Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Cuban

Music

THEATRE STUDENT MATINEES NOVEMBER 29TH AT 12PM – STUDENT MATINEE FLECK DANCE THEATRE - HARBOURFRONT

“SOULFUL MESSIAH” A Universal Holiday Tradition MAY 22 2014 AT 12PM – STUDENT MATINEE FLECK DANCE THEATRE - HARBOURFRONT

“SPRING RITES” Celebrate Spring and Harmony through Dance

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

Dear Educator. Since our inception in 1990, Ballet Creole has maintained a commitment to youth through education and socialization through the arts. We believe that dance and music have the power to uplift and inspire and should be accessible to everyone. The Arts plays an important role in enriching the lives of people, young and old, and can be a powerful tool for enhancing school curriculum. Our dedication to our mandated goal of promoting multicultural understanding through education and quality entertainment is the impetus for the development of our Educational Outreach Program which consists of: 1. School Performance Tour and 2. School Matinee performances

1. Our annual School Performance Tour has grown to 100+ performances presented across Ontario, reaching over 50,000 students each school year. Besides Ontario, the tour has extended as far as Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

2. Ballet Creole annually presents two major dance productions each of which includes a matinee performance for school groups geared to youth audiences. These two productions are: our holiday production, Soulful Messiah, and our Spring production, this year entitled Spring Rites. The matinee performances included in each of these productions provide youth an opportunity to experience a live dance production in a formal theatre setting, as well as take part in an inspiring “Talkback” session where students and teachers can dialogue with the Artistic Director and performers.

The high demand from teachers for the above products over the years is a testament to its excellence and relevance to the learning experience. Youth are inspired by the high caliber of the performance, they are informed about cultural artistic expression, they affirm and take pride in their roots, and they are entertained. A winning combination! I invite you and your school to take part in Ballet Creole’s 2013-2014 Education Outreach Program; a uniquely rewarding experience! Sincerely, Anna Di Costanzo Vice-President – Ballet Creole Music Educator – Toronto District School Board

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

SEPTEMBER 2013 – JUNE 2014 “TAPESTRY” An African and Caribbean Tapestry of Dance & Music “Tapestry” is a lively presentation of African and Caribbean dance. Traditional, contemporary and folkloric dance styles drawing from places such as Benin, Jamaica, and Haiti combine in an inspirational performance. Choreographer Patrick Parson combines dance and live percussive accompaniment to celebrate ceremonies and spiritual occasions commonly held throughout Africa and the Caribbean. It captures the festive carnival atmosphere typical of the Caribbean and brings people of many different cultures together to enjoy.

COST: $840 plus HST / Duration : 1 hour (including Q&A)

Contact : Prologue to the Performing Arts 416.591.9092

SEPTEMBER 2013 – JUNE 2014 DRUMMATIX MUSICAL ENSEMBLE – “RIDE THE RHYTHM” Professional Display of Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Cuban Music

The Creole Drummatix evolved from the music ensemble which is an integral part of the Ballet Creole dance company. Creole Drummatix presents electric performances fusing popular and contemporary sounds with traditional African and Caribbean drumming and percussion.

COST: $650 plus HST / Duration : 1 hour (including Q&A)

Contact : Ballet Creole 416.960.0350

The performance is followed by a 15 minute Q&A for the students to ask questions and find out more about the performance and performers. At this time we will also address the connections between dance and music and how different cultures are similar in many ways creating a catapult for discussions about racism, bullying and other social school issues.

Enhance the experience with a Dance or Drum Workshop!

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

NOVEMBER 29, 2013 at 12PM | FLECK DANCE THEATRE (Toronto Harbourfront) “SOULFUL MESSIAH” part of Harbourfront’s NextSteps Series Soulful Messiah is a signature piece which breathes the universal language of spirituality and pure happiness that we all yearn to share, especially during the holidays - Infused with tap, African–Caribbean, ballet, jazz and modern dance in this unique celebration of life through dance and music. Soulfully danced to Quincy Jones’ Grammy Award winning R&B rendition of Handel’s Messiah, enriched by the uplifting voices of Aretha Franklin, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, there is no question why this holiday production has celebrated almost 15 years in Toronto.

MAY 22, 2014 at 12PM | FLECK DANCE THEATRE (Toronto Harbourfront) “SPRING RITES” part of Harbourfront’s NextSteps Series

Now in its 24th Season of Dance – Ballet Creole celebrates spring with Artistic Director, Patrick Parson’s resurrection of his classical piece “Spring Rites”. Mozart, Haydn and Schubert provide the musical score as dancers explore the relationship and interactions with the elements of nature in spring and the freedom and joy this season represents in Canada. Combining jazz, contemporary and Afro-Caribbean dance, “Spring Rites” is truly a multi-cultural Canadian celebration of our unique climate. Associate Choreographer Gabby Kamino will also provide a bold new choreography pushing the boundaries of movement and evoking the emotions of the dancers and the audience.

COST: $10 per student, 1 complimentary ticket for teacher – 1 per class

Contact Jody Cook at Harbourfront Box Office: 416.973.4000 x.4856

Performance Length: 45 minutes – followed by 10-15 minute “Talkback” Session with the performers and Artistic Director

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

Contemporary Afro-Caribbean Workshop $400 when booked with Performance

Instructor combines the structured Contemporary technique of Katherine Dunham with the physicality of traditional movements derived from Africa and the African Diaspora. This is an exhilarating class challenging and mastering the body’s ability to move with the central control of the CORE. The class is danced to live percussion music with the resounding beat of the drums to motivate and stimulate the students. Workshop will also include a brief “Study Guide” about the Dunham Technique and how it relates to Ballet Creole and dances drawn from the African Diaspora. Dress code: Comfortable dance or fitness clothing, dark colours preferred, bare feet. Clothing should not be overly baggy and should allow for free range of movement.

Afro-Caribbean Drumming Workshop $400 when booked with Performance

The focus will be on traditional Caribbean and West African rhythms.

Each participant must bring their own drum

If drums to be supplied by Ballet Creole then an additional $100 charge and 10 person limit for workshop

Primary/Junior Class Duration: 45 minutes Senior Class Duration: 60 minutes Professional Dance Class: 90 minutes

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

Patrick Parson founded Ballet Creole in 1990. He is the Artistic Director and

Principal Choreographer for the Ballet Creole Dance Company and the Musical Director for Creole Drummatix. He also founded Ballet Creole’s School of Performing Arts, a Post-Secondary Professional Training Program for aspiring dancers concentrating on Dunham and Graham modern techniques complimented by Afro-Caribbean and cultural dance training. He is a respected professor at York University in the Kinesiology Department and also earned his Masters Degree in Dance Ethnology at York University. Patrick regularly conducts

dance/music workshops and lecture demonstrations for educators and student bodies in various Boards of Education and Universities throughout Canada. Patrick toured internationally as principal dancer with the Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre of Trinidad. His professional dance and choreographic

experience spans Caribbean, African, East Indian, Jazz and Modern dance styles. Patrick acquired Ballet and Modern training at the Caribbean School of Dance, the Dance Academy of Trinidad and Tobago and the Ryerson University dance department. He is a graduate of Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT), and most recently furthered his training at Jacob’s Pillow. Patrick has also studied the Dunham Technique at the Katherine Dunham Center for Arts and Humanities

in East St. Louis, Illinois. He was one of the last teacher’s to be awarded certification in the Dunham Technique before Ms. Dunham’s passing in 2006 and is the only teacher qualified to instruct the Dunham Technique in Canada. Patrick is the recipient of the New Pioneers Award from Skills for Change, for his pioneering work in the world of dance in Canada and the Entrepreneurial Award of Merit from the African Caribbean Chamber of Commerce. He has served as cultural adviser to the Toronto Arts Council, Metro Cultural Affairs, Ontario Arts Council, Harbourfront Centre, Laidlaw Foundation, and the Arts Advantage Program at Downsview Secondary School. He also has served as a Board Director for Kalinka Contemporary Russian Dance Company and the Black Canadian Congress.

Patrick continues to explore his creativity and continuously choreographs new works for Ballet Creole and other professional dance companies as a guest choreographer.

BIOGRAPHY – Patrick Parson (Executive/Artistic Director)

BALLET CREOLE HISTORY

OUR MISSION: Ballet Creole exists to create a dance legacy in Canada with the creolization of dance, we aspire to unite cultures through accessibility, education, and relevant archival projects.

Established in August 1990, Ballet Creole is a non-profit charitable organization and is governed by a Board of Directors. It comprises both a professional ensemble of dancers and musicians, as well as a Professional School of Performing Arts. With an emphasis on the disciplines of the Caribbean and Africa, Ballet Creole focuses on traditional and contemporary dance while infusing music from around the world. In its name, Ballet Creole has revived the old French connotation of “ballet” signifying “dance”, and “creole” referring to a melding of different dance styles and cultural influences.

Ballet Creole was founded by Trinidadian-born dancer, choreographer, drummer and educator, Patrick Parson (Masters in Dance Ethnology, BFA in Dance). Combining traditional Caribbean and African aesthetics with the Katherine Dunham modern technique, he has produced a technically strong and versatile professional dance company unlike any other in Canada. Ballet Creole explores the power of drums and rhythms as a means of communicating between people and communities and aspires through the Arts to show their central philosophy that “Diversity in Harmony Creates a New Energy”

The company presents two, main-stage productions as part of their Annual Dance Season with exclusive performances held at Harbourfront Centre’s Fleck Dance Theatre in Toronto. Signature pieces include dance works of the Artistic Director, Patrick Parson, Associate Choreographer, Gabby Kamino, and other notable guest choreographers such as Milton Myers (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre) and Canadian dance icon, Danny Grossman.

Ballet Creole is at the forefront of Contemporary Afro-Caribbean dance and has been labelled as the forerunner of Blacks in Dance in Canada. We are known Nation-wide as a respected arts and cultural organization.

Ballet Creole Company and School of Performing Arts 416-960-0350 www.balletcreole.org

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

“exciting and dynamic…unquestionably a professional company with high artistic

standards…Ballet Creole has a significant future and contribution to make to Toronto’s dance

scene”

Rita Davies: Toronto Arts Council (Toronto)

“dazzling contribution to the celebration of Black History Month…educational as well as entertaining”

Brenda Gayle-Anyiwe PhD.: Seneca College (Toronto)

“It gave me great pleasure to see such an enormous crowd visibly excited by your performance. Ballet Creole is indeed on its way to being one of the most exciting dance troupes in Toronto.”

Sandra Whiting, Community & Educational Programmes: Harbourfront (Toronto)

“The dance company’s exuberant and graceful dancers, together with a small group of top-notch

musicians capture the spirit and vitality of Caribbean culture through dance.” Monica Joseph-McIntyre: Pride (Toronto)

TEACHER & STUDENT REVIEWS

“…truly a beautiful and uplifting show of fabulous dancing and drumming…created an awareness of dance as a viable art form…as well, it has raised the standard and expectation of dance in the course that I teach for the Toronto District Board.”

~ Kathleen Pyper, teacher, North Albion Collegiate Institute

“Students benefit enormously from the unique perspectives provided by the blend of African-Caribbean and contemporary movement this company produces.”

~ Jane Deluzio, teacher, Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute

“When I saw your performance today, I felt like one of the luckiest students at Brooks Road Public School. All I wanted to say is that you are the most inspiring people I have ever heard of. You’re brilliant and I hope to see you again “

~ Stephanie Hinds, student, Brooks Road Public School

BOOKING INFORMATION

To book a SCHOOL TOUR PRESENTATION OR WORKSHOP

Contact: Prologue to the Performing Arts

416.591.9092 Mary Beth McMillan ext.224 Stéphanie Filippi ext. 225

www.prologue.org

- - -

To book a THEATRE MATINEE PERFORMANCE

Contact: Harbourfront Centre

Box Office 416.973.4000

Jody Cook ext 4856 www.harbourfrontcentre.com

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For DRUMMATIX ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE OR FOR MORE INFO:

Contact: Ballet Creole 416.960.0350

Monica Pain / Natassia Parson Ext.0

production@balletcreole.org www.balletcreole.org

Audience Suitability: K-6, 7-8, 9-12, Post-Secondary Students, Adults

Programming Themes/Curriculum Expectations