History of Ballet Creole 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"
or fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.
Under the artistic direction of dancer / choreographer / percussionist
Patrick Anthony Parson, Ballet Creole provides a forum for choreographers,
dancers and musicians to practice and teach their art.
A number of works in the repertoire feature dancers on stilts; African roots
transported to the Western artistic work.
On stage, the exuberant dialogue between the drummers and dancers of Ballet Creole has consistently drawn enthusiastic responses.
As a fledgling company, Ballet Creole performed to an audience of 5,000 at the 1991 WOMAD Festival in Toronto,
where the company "drew thunderous applause" for its performances in which the "energy and brilliance of Caribbean and contemporary African
cultures are portrayed".
Ballet Creole held it's first dance season in 1992 at the Winchester Street Theatre. The Company quickly established itself in the mainstream dance world through its invitation to participate
in the CIBC 1992/93 Dance Season at the Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront, where it performed t sell-out audiences.
Since 1994, the company has presented its annual dance season at Harbourfront's duMaurier and Premiere Dance Theatres in Toronto,
as well as in theatres in St.Catharines, Ontario and Hamilton.
The company has performed in many of the major cities and festivals in Canada,
to popular acclaim. In the summer of 1993 Ballet Creole expanded its touring to the northern USA, appearing in Columbus, Ohio and Oswego, New York.
Through its daily classes and summer school programming, the Ballet Creole
School of Performing Arts offers an innovative mix of Afrocentric percussion
and contemporary African, Caribbean and modern dance for adults, children,
beginners, amateurs, and professionals wishing to develop their technique
and performance skills. An apprenticeship program is available in dance
and music for professional level dancers and youth wishing to delve intensively
in these art forms.
Ballet Creole is a non-profit charitable organization. In accordance with its constitution,
Ballet Creole is directed by a ten member Board of Directors.
Originally, the term "creole", meaning "native to the locality, referred to people born and raised in the Caribbean, but of European or African descent.
The Ballet Creole members and the company repertoire reflect the multicultural fusion that has been characteristic of Caribbean culture of centuries.
The term "Creole" refers to the Creole language developed in the African
diaspora as a common language for inhabitants coming from so many different
linguistic and cultural groups. Similarly, Ballet Creole represents the
forging of a new language in the dance world, a unique blending of dance
traditions from the old world and the new world. While the company seeks
to presever old traditions, it also aims to establish a dynamic new artistic
tradition in Canada based on a creolization or fusion of diverse dance
and music traditions.
To preserve and perpetuate traditional and contemporary African
culture and increase awareness of the rich African culture that exists
in Canada.
To establish a dynamic new Canadian artistic tradition based on a
fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.
To promote multicultural understanding through education and
quality entertainment to national and international
audiences
