Overview
The National Ballet of Canada returns to Harbourfront Centre in August with Sharing the Stage, free outdoor performances on the Concert Stage as well as free dance classes and interactive conversations.
New This Year:
Reserved general admission seating is now sold out. An in-person Rush line with a limited number of Rush seats will be open as of 6:30 pm on the day of each performance. All reserved seats not claimed by 7:15 pm will be promptly released to the Rush line.
6 – 6:45pm, Dance With Us
Beginner Flamenco with Carmen Romero
Stage in the Park
Carmen Romero is an award-winning flamenco dance artist whose experience in performance, education, production and adjudication affirms her position in the national and international dance scene. Known for her choreographic story-telling style, Carmen explores concepts in a manner that gives audiences a visceral experience. Carmen has worked with the National Arts Centre, Canadian Stage, collaborated with Dusk Dances on Nuestro Leyenda, a film by award-winning filmmaker William Yong, and with the Aga Khan Museum on Porque/Why?, a collaboration between Carmen, flamenco dancer Emilio Ochando and pianist Miriam Mendéz. In 2021, Carmen created Vida for The National Ballet of Canada’s RBC Apprentices, which was performed in 2022 at the Aga Khan Museum Duende Flamenco Festival. She has received many accolades including a Dora Mavor Moore Nomination in 2003 for Best Choreography, Chalmers Award for the K. M. Hunter Artist Award and a nomination for the Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Dance. Carmen has also coached Shakira for her 2010 Sale el Sol world tour as well as in 2000.
A reservation is not required for this portion of the event.
7:15 – 7:45pm, Show + Tell
Lua Shayenne Dance Company
Concert Stage
Lua Shayenne Dance Company (LSDC) blends dance, music and storytelling rooted in West African culture with contemporary art forms and social commentary. LSDC produces original dance works, enriching educational programs, YENSA Festival – a biennal festival that celebrates Black Women in dance – in addition to offering professional and community workshops with local and international artists. Led by the vision of Artistic Director, Lua Shayenne, LSDC’s artistic practice is also a spiritual one in service to the wider community; the process of creating something new can potentially increase our sense of spiritual connection to one another and transform the hearts of our audiences and participants.
In its 12th year, LSDC has presented six full-length productions including KIRA, The Path | La Voie, Djaa, the Drought, Hybrid and Woman’s Whisper, cos.mo.pol.i.tan, Djaa and Departure 00:00. LSDC has also been featured in major venues and festivals such as the 33rd Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance, Sharing the Stage, dance: made in canada festival | fait au canada | d:mic, Fall for Dance North, Dusk Dances, Dancing On the Edge Festival and more.
A reservation is required for this event. You will remain in the same seat for the next portion of the evening, Outdoor Performances.
8pm, Outdoor Performances by The National Ballet of Canada With Guest Companies
The National Ballet of Canada will present three repeated outdoor performances on the Concert Stage, August 17 – 19. Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director, and Robert Binet, Curator and Producer, CreativAction and Special Initiatives, have curated a programme that features the National Ballet and three guest companies.
Alleged Dances Excerpt by Rena Butler, Performed by The National Ballet of Canada
Waves | Vagues, Performed by Lua Shayenne Dance Company
payɛʔot by Cameron Fraser-Monroe, Performed by The National Ballet of Canada
Vida, Performed by Compañía Carmen Romero, The National Ballet of Canada and RBC Apprentices
Concerto Pas de deux by Kenneth MacMillan, Performed by The National Ballet of Canada
KID SISTER Performed by Rock Bottom Movement
Ever New by Robert Binet, Performed by The National Ballet of Canada and RBC Apprentices
A reservation is required for this event, continuing from the previous Show + Tell.
Credits
Alleged Dances
Choreography Rena Butler Costume Design Hogan McLaughlin Lighting Design Jeff Logue
Music
John Adams, John’s Book of Alleged Dances (1994)
By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, INC., publisher and copyright owner
Produced and commissioned by The National Ballet of Canada.
Lead philanthropic support for Alleged Dances is provided by an Anonymous Donor, with additional support provided by The Producers’ Circle.
The Producers’ Circle
The Producers’ Circle (2023): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry Lozinski, O.C. & Joan Lozinski, O.C., The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado, C.M & Jim Pitblado, C.M., The Harry & Lillian Seymour Family Foundation and The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation.
Waves | Vagues
Performed by Lua Shayenne Dance Company Text, Composer, Choreography Lua Shayenne Text, Story Developer, Dramaturge Tawiah M’carthy
Percussionists, Music Collaborators Kemar Scarlett, Cécé Haba, Connor ‘Chino’ Chang, Kevin Howe Lighting Design Jeff Logue, The National Ballet of Canada Interpreters Aisha Nicholson, Rose-Mary “Rosie” Harbans, Kwasi Obeng-Adjei, Monique Pascall, Lua Shayenne
Waves | Vagues was rehearsed at Harbourfront Centre in partnership with The National Ballet of Canada’s Sharing the Stage, August 2021.
payɛʔot by Cameron Fraser-Monroe
Choreography Cameron Fraser-Monroe Costume Design The National Ballet of Canada Wardrobe Department Wardrobe Supervisor Stacy Dimitropoulos Lighting Design Jeff Logue, The National Ballet of Canada
Music
Cris Derksen, Smile at Me and We Danced, Movement I
Produced and Commissioned by The National Ballet of Canada
Vida
Performed by Compañia Carmen Romero and RBC Apprentices of The National Ballet of Canada Choreography Carmen Romero
Music
Paco Montalvo, el Vito Cordobes
Concerto Pas de deux
Choreography Kenneth MacMillan Costume Design Jürgen Rose Lighting Design John B. Read
Music
Dmitri Shostakovich, Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102 (1957)
KID SISTER
Choreography, Direction Alyssa Martin Composer Jacob Vanderham Creative Collaborators Drew Berry, Brayden Jamil Cairns, Sam Grist, Sierra Kellman Costume Design Brayden Jamil Cairns Performers Drew Berry, Brayden Jamil Cairns, Sam Grist, Jessica Mak
Ever New
Choreography Robert Binet Costume Design The National Ballet of Canada Wardrobe Department Wardrobe Supervisor Stacy Dimitropoulos Lighting Design Jeff Logue
Music
Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Let Us Dance (Arca Remix), Sunset Village, Ever New
Access Info
A limited number of accessible seats are available and can be booked as of August 1 by contacting The National Ballet by phone at 416-345-9595 or by email at info@national.ballet.ca.
Dates & Times
August 19
6pm – Dance With Us (Stage in the Park)
7:15pm – Show + Tell (Concert Stage)
8pm – Performance (Concert Stage)