Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ) | Meghann Michalsky & Bluejay Linklater
Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ) is a collaboration between Meghann Michalsky and Bluejay Linklater. The work is shaped by the circumstances that brought them together as creators—meeting in this unplanned shared moment of time and space. This convergence, guided by something beyond intention, forms the foundation of the piece and its title. Together, they created Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ), a Cree word meaning destiny or fate.
Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ) pays homage to the history and traditional ways of Traditional, Grass, Chicken Dance styles and contemporary dance while stepping into a modern space. Their task was to share their cultures and create a piece through this exchange.
The creation of work has been consulted alongside knowledge keepers within our community.
Credits
- Collaboration between Meghann Michalsky and Bluejay Linklater
- Dramaturge: Michael Linklater & Mike Czuba
- Knowledge Keeper: Lyndon J Linklater
- Music: Art Mooseaman, JR Ottawa, Deathpact, Jessita Reyes, I-F, Rafael Anton Irisarri, Social state
Creation was supported by Free Flow Dance Theatre International Dance Week
"Dancer Sophie Dow and musician Laura Reznek join forces for a free-flowing work performed in intricate papier-mâché masks…song and dance interweave in a symbiotic relationship, pushing and pulling between genres."
Emily Lyth
Stir
Agrimony | Sophie Dow & Laura Reznek
Agrimony walks the edge between an evocative live concert and visceral contemporary dance, co-created by Métis-Assiniboine choreographer Sophie Dow & UK composer Laura Reznek, and gliding on Reznek’s sophomore album.
We honour the small yellow flower agrimony – in plant medicine: a catalyst for honesty, dissolving the masks society forces us to craft; unveiling a truest self. Four dancers in elaborate papier-mâché animal masks generously weave Reznek’s songs into a comprehensive & heart-centred story.
Alongside a live performance of Reznek’s album, Agrimony questions the masks we don for every aspect of our lives.
Credits
- Choreography: Sophie Dow
- Composer: Laura Reznek
- Interpreters (Dance): Tavia Christina, Sophie Dow, Laura Reznek
- Outside Eye/Mentor/Rehearsal Director: Malgorzata Nowacka-May
- Dramaturgy: Meg Roe
- Documentarian: Vitantonio Spinelli
- Contributing Interpreters: Mohammed Rashead, Amanda Testini, Charlotte Telfer-Wan, Vitantonio Spinelli
- Masks: Christian Borrego
- Costumes: Natasha Denison, Sophie Dow
- Stage & Production Manager: Kayleigh Sandomirsky
- Lighting Designer: Jonathan (Jono) Kim
- Sound Engineer: Aren Okemaysim
- Marketing Manager: Tavia Christina
Special thanks to: Linda Rose, Julia Sasso, Clay Lormand, Mark Wlodarczyk, David Norsworthy, Samantha Sutherland, Emily Long, Kiera Shaw, Rumi Jeraj, Alyssa Favero, Drew Temple, The TeaHaus
Agrimony has been generously supported by:
- Canada Council for the Arts
- BC Arts Council
- co.ERASGA Studio Salon Series
- The National Ballet of Canada’s CreativAction Open Space Programme
- The Scotiabank Dance Centre
- The Chimera Project
- Harbourfront Centre Theatre
- toes for dance/Common Ground Dance Festival
- PEC’S Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance