CFTA Director, Deb Slade finds YUKON GOLD in LINK Dance Company

"I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Whitehorse, Yukon in September of 2006 and I had the good fortune and pleasure to experience a number of fabulous artists, actors and musicians. Of the numerous presentations I saw, three are being presented this season at the Centre for the Arts, including Sour Brides Theatre Company’s So Many Doors, the legendary storyteller Ivan Coyote and LINK Dance Company.

I was intrigued to be invited to see LINK Dance Company perform an early Sunday morning show as the company was promising breakfast and dance – together. I had no idea I would be seated at a table on stage eating muffins and drinking coffee while watching this extraordinary company “create” something uniquely special.

The presentation was both informal and informative featuring choreographed movement alongside spontaneous compositions. I immediately realized the value of having the audience participate in the creative process of dance. As a presenter, I often talk about being up close and personal with musicians and have often presented musicians on-stage to a small, intimate audience of 90-100 people. Honestly, I never thought to do the same with dance even though over the years I myself have been witness to many of these creative choreographic workshops.

As an active audience participant it makes a difference to the way in which one views and understands dance. One can be passive and watch the process unfold or participant and provide feedback to the dancers and choreographer – Gail Lotenburg. The cast of dancers are outstanding and are fuelled by Gail’s intellectual and creative drive."

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JUST ADDED OPENING PERFORMANCES BY JON AMOR, KEVIN FOX & ACCORDIAN CRIMES FEATURING LOCAL MUSIC GREATS MARK LALAMA, PENNER MCKAY & RICH MOORE

After leaving The Hoax (who were voted Best British Blues Band five times and released four critically hailed albums), Jon Amor, who has been called “one of the last true English guitar heroes,” rose to the challenge of re-inventing himself as a front man and performer. “Best guitar playing of the weekend,” exclaimed Amplifier Magazine. “Amor should be ruling the British rootsy rock roost,” echoed Mojo Magazine. You may remember Jon from earlier this season when he opened for Joe Bonamassa. After a fantastic crowd response, Jon is welcomed back to support the Grammy-nominated, show-stopping retro R&B guitar slinger James Hunter on Thursday, March 12/09.

Halifax native Kevin Fox is a revered multi-instrumentalist, sought-after arranger/composer and recording artist, and has been dubbed ‘Canada’s most ubiquitous side-man’. Now, four years after the release of his debut album COME ALIVE, Kevin returns to his exceptional talents as a singer-songwriter with the much-anticipated release of SONGS FOR CELLO AND VOICE. Kevin combines his signature instrument, which he skillfully bows, plucks, taps and loops, with his charismatic voice, to create a tuneful and captivating musical tapestry of cello-driven folk/pop. You may remember Kevin from playing with all kinds of acts on the Sean O'Sullivan Stage including Shaye, Sarah Harmer, Danny Michel and Chantal Kreviazuk with whom he will join once again on Wednesday, April 8/09.

Individually, the long been sought-after live and studio session musicians and local favourites Mark Lalama, Rich Moore and Penner McKay have performed a countless number of times around the world. You have undoubtedly and unwittingly heard and seen their contributions on film soundtracks, commercial recordings, television, radio andwith artists such as Marc Jordan, Michael McDonald, Guido Basso, Jann Arden, Anne Murray, Dan Hill, New World Sun, Jon Bon Jovi and many more. When they come together as Accordion Crimes they create something very special. By using traditional instruments in untraditional settings, they create a very unique musical experience. A bed of exotic global percussion melds seamlessly with an adventurous double bass, while accordion and piano melodies surf above. Sometimes described as 'gypsy jazz', the resulting musical offspring can easily claim Mediterranean, Latin, soul, jazz, Cajun and even Fellini-esque Carnival, as its roots. They will join 2008 National Jazz Award winner for "Female Vocalist Of The Year" Emilie-Claire Barlow on Friday, April 24/09.

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