Peggy Baker Presents he:she
Spring has finally arrived, and with this wet weather comes a new wave of art and culture for the city. I had the pleasure of attending an amazing show of contemporary art and dance. Peggy Baker created a performance that broke down the boundaries of music, dance and gender roles in a masterful 4 part series. The audience and I spent the entire ride on the edge of our seats, just waiting to see what would come next!
The show began right at 8:30pm at the Betty Oliphant Theatre on Jarvis and Carlton, right in the heart of the city. It was a full house, blending together a crowd of eager young artists and knowledgeable practitioners; everyone was there with a positive attitude to celebrate the harmony of dance.
The first performance was done by Sean Ling and Andrea Nann; 2 exceptional dancers that deconstructs the differences between masculinity and femininity. Although they hardly danced next to each other on stage, each move connected them and I found it difficult to watch one without watching the other.
This performance was one of my favourites, as it brought together an infusion of martial arts and contemporary style that focused on the strength and fluidity of each dancer. I enjoyed how each movement was done with such detail as though it were the last. Each step connected with the music in order to drive it towards its own form of emotional expression.
The gem of the night was in the second performance that brought out the incredible skill of dancer Sahara Morimoto along with outstanding cello, pianist and clarinet players. Morimoto made me feel every emotion with her as she connected with the audience and the live music playing around her. This was a performance that I did not want to stop! What I found the most fascinating was how the stage lighting became a part of the show in this piece. The lights would cast shadows across the performers faces to express sorrow, however when the music and dance would pick up, the lights would become brighter. Those little details are what made this performance something truly special.
The third act introduced Peggy Baker herself, performing an intimate and powerful expression to discuss what the core of the show represented. This was the most intriguing performance as it stood out from the rest. The audience was so silent through it all that I swear, you could hear a pin drop!
The final performance brought back the amazing cellist along with three male dancers, once again Sean Ling alongside Ric Brown and Mateo Galinda Torres. I really enjoyed this performance because it was a bit lighter and expressed a sense of unity between all the performers. And to be honest, when they finished I was left wanting more!
All in all, I had a great time experiencing this show! It is definitely something that I would recommend! Even if you are not a big fan of the performing arts, he:she brought something entirely unique to the table, and I think you’ll find a little something for everyone mixed in there!
As I always say, treat yourself to the new and exciting things this city has to offer. Don’t just waste your day away watching Netflix re-runs, it’s time to come out and join me on this tour of our city!
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