SOULFUL MESSIAH
T.O's Best Kept Holiday Secret!
“No matter how many times I see the show, I’m drawn in....Soulful Messiah should be on
everyone’s holiday wish list.” - Paula Citron, Globe & Mail
For immediate release (November 2012)
Toronto, Ontario – Over the last 11 years, Soulful Messiah has emerged as a bona fide home-grown Toronto tradition, captivating audiences young and old, from all backgrounds and cultures. This year marks the first Ontario Tour of this much-loved holiday production, with performances scheduled in Markham, Mississauga, North Bay & St. Catherines.
More than a decade ago, Ballet Creole's Artistic Director Patrick Parson set-out to establish a new holiday dance tradition, one that could resonate with Toronto's diverse and multicultural audiences: “I wanted to do something that could parallel the appeal of The Nutcracker. Something that all cultures could find aspirations of joy and hope.”
Soulful Messiah is a high-energy, “creolized” celebration of life, dance and music, infusing tap, African-Caribbean, ballet, jazz and modern dance. Soulfully performed to Quincy Jones’ Grammy Award-winning R&B rendition of Handel’s Messiah, and enriched by the uplifting voices of Aretha Franklin, The Boys Choir of Harlem, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, this universal holiday tradition leaves audiences tapping their toes and singing “Hallelujah!” in their seats.
Guest performer David Cox (formerly of STOMP) returns to tap his way through this emotionally driven dance accompanied by the Ballet Creole professional dance company. Illuminated by the talents of lighting director, Brad Trenaman, each piece signifies humanity’s core emotions. Soulful Messiah is truly a Canadian holiday tour-de-force!
SHOW DATES:
NOV 30 – DEC 2 | FLECK DANCE TEHATRE (Toronto)
DEC 7 | CENTRE FOR THE ARTS (Brock University, St. Catherines)
DEC 12 | CAPITOL CENTRE (North Bay)
DEC 13 | FLATO MARKHAM THEATRE (Markham)
DEC 15 | MEADOWVALE THEATRE (Mississauga)
About Ballet Creole:
Now in its 23rd year on the Canadian dance stage, Ballet Creole has earned a reputation for producing high-energy, rigorous Contemporary dance that cultivates the multiculturalism of Toronto and Canada at large. 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 "creolizaton" or fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.
CONTACT:
For Press Inquiries:
Laura Mendes, Marketing & Media Relations
416-960-0350 x0 marketing@balletcreole.org
For Toronto Tickets: Habourfront Centre Box 416-973-4000 or purchase online http://bit.ly/SIMBaM
For Tour Tickets: Visit Ballet Creole Tour page at http://bitly.com/Rk16BQ
Ballet Creole acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, Harbourfront Next Steps, G98.7, Watermark Pub & Restaurant, Southern Accent Restaurant, and CTM Media Group. The Soulful Messiah Tour is supported through OAC's Ontario Dances Touring Grant and the CCI – Ontario Presenting Network.
