Dance
AFRO-CARIBBEAN DANCE AND DRUMMING
“I have realized how cool your culture is. I hope you guys come again soon!”
— A VERY PLEASED 7TH GRADER
Dancing Spirits
New Show!
Grades:
K-6, 7-8, 9-12
Audience Maximum:
350
Price per performance:
$720 + GST
Celebrating its 20th anniversary under the Artistic Directorship of Patrick Parson, Ballet Creole comprises a company of professional dancers, musicians and the School of Ballet Creole. The company’s work is rooted in Katherine Dunham technique and encompasses both traditional African and Caribbean dance and contemporary dance vocabulary.
Dancing Spirits is a new ballet that draws from African and Brazilian movement. Brazilian dances known as Samba, Umbanda, Batuque, and Capoeira are cleverly incorporated in the choreography with elements of movement improvisation. Let their rhythm move you!
Dancing Spirits is a new ballet that draws from African and Brazilian movement. Brazilian dances known as Samba, Umbanda, Batuque, and Capoeira are cleverly incorporated in the choreography with elements of movement improvisation. Let their rhythm move you!
- Presentations are adapted for the age and grade level of audience.
Creole Drummatix
Grades:
K-6, 7-8, 9-12
Audience Maximum:
350
Price per performance:
$600 + GST
The talented percussionists of Ballet Creole offer a unique opportunity to experience African and Caribbean drumming! Under the direction of well-known educator Patrick Parson, this ensemble of professional musicians from various cultural backgrounds brings traditional African and Caribbean percussive instruments to your school.
Creole Drummatix fuses popular and contemporary songs with traditional African and Caribbean drumming to bring together an eclectic mix of vibrant sounds. Through audience participation, the drumming ensemble demonstrates the djembes, bembes, congas and balaphones while relating each instrument to geography and culture.
Creole Drummatix fuses popular and contemporary songs with traditional African and Caribbean drumming to bring together an eclectic mix of vibrant sounds. Through audience participation, the drumming ensemble demonstrates the djembes, bembes, congas and balaphones while relating each instrument to geography and culture.
- Presentations are adapted for the age and grade level of the audience.
Curriculum Focus & Expectations
Themes:
- Celebration of diversity and cultures
- Music and dance from African and Caribbean cultures
- Rhythm and movement
Expectations:
- Identify the type of texture in music from a variety of cultures and historical periods
- Describe the history, construction and use of an instrument
- Analyze the influences of music on the development of personal and cultural identity
- Analyze, using dance vocabulary, how the elements of dance are used in dance pieces and explain how they communicate messages
- Construct personal interpretations of the messages in dance pieces, including relevance to their community and communities around the world
- Describe a variety of dances and the role of dance around the world as an expression of cultural identity
Tour Availability:
- Limited year-round
Technical Requirements:
- Large open area or stage (minimum 35' x 35')
- Minimum room temperature 21°C
- Request for gymnasium to be heated night before performance

