Attending the CINARS Biennale in Montreal, Canada was an exciting immersion into the Montreal and European dance market. The Biennale was comprised of exhibitors, presenters, and observers attending a host of panels, discussions, pitches, performances, parties and more, including a trade show floor with hundreds of booths. The offerings varied from circus, to theater, some music, and mostly dance. The venues ranged from small studios, to theaters of all sizes, old and new, modern and classical, even skating rinks, circus warehouses and opera houses. Traversing the city by shuttles, taxi, and foot was an adventure - I am thankful for google maps!
Naturally for me what was most striking was the dance performances, and the extent to which the performative dance form was questioned and pushed. Repetition, duration, explorations of physicality, exhaustion, nudity, and sexuality were most present. Multiple themes rolled into one show that kept going and going - not sure what some of them amounted to in the end! I noticed this trend while attending a conference in Bulgaria last June. There was definitely not much dancey dance - if any at all! And it was very different stylistically from dance in NYC and the US in many respects.
Performance by Toronto Dance Theater
Seventeen plus performances were viewed, it was hard to keep track of them all! It was inspiring to see such varied work, and discuss the performances with colleagues in the field. The attendees were very friendly and warm, which was a welcomed experience. I made new friends and contacts, and look forward to continuing conversations and potential collaborations and exchanges in the years to come.
— Valerie