Harbourfront’s NextSteps dance series aims to reflect our city’s cultural diversity. Ten-year veteran choreographer and Ballet Creole’s artistic director Patrick Parson is no exception.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of his creation, Soulful Messiah at the Fleck Dance Theatre.
The piece is set to a soulful rendition of Handel’s Messiah with accompanying music from renowned producer Quincy Jones’. Backed by the uplifting vocals of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, The Boys Choir of Harlem and Stevie Wonder, his versatile dancers transition generational dances.
They lead audiences along a journey to the sounds of R & B, gospel, ragtime, hip-hop, blues and big band. Moving from one era to another, the performance blends Afro-Caribbean movement with ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance.
“I wanted to take Caribbean dance esthetics into the mainstream. When I came here initially all dance forms were often regulated to summer programs and community activities,” says Parson, who founded Ballet Creole before graduating from The School of Toronto Dance Theatre.
This year’s Soulful Messiah once again featured tap extraordinaire David Cox (former “Stomp” dancer) alongside Parson’s exuberant dance company.
After a decade, Patrick’s Soulful Messiah continues to enlighten, delight and inspire people of all ages and ethnicities.
Active on the Canadian dance scene since August 1990, Ballet Creole comprises both a professional ensemble of dancers and musicians and a School of Performing Arts.
While focusing on the traditional and contemporary performing arts of the Caribbean and Africa, Ballet Creole aims to establish a dynamic new artistic tradition in Canada through “creolization” of diverse dance and music traditions.
Parson’s upcoming presentation”Exodus” being featured in early March, 2012.
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