DSW launches new initiatives to develop Alberta choreographers

>> by Naomi Brand

Calgary's Dancers' Studio West (DSW) is gearing its 2009/10 season towards developing choreographers with three newly envisioned programs. First, Alberta Dance Explosions, now in its thirtieth year, has accepted twelve choreographers to create new works for the festival with the mentorship of DSW Artistic Director Davida Monk. Second, with the support of the Canada Council and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, DSW is launching a six-week choreographic lab modelled after the work previously done at Le Groupe Dance Lab. Alberta choreographers Helen Husak and Jason Stroh will each have three weeks of lab time in spring 2010. Auditions are being held on November 7th for dancers for the lab. Third, DSW and New Dance Horizons in Regina have teamed up to initiate the Prairie Dance Circuit. Both organizations will present two artists from the other city thus providing prairie artists the opportunity to tour, gain exposure and get feedback from new audiences. Negotiations are underway with the Feats Festival and Brian Webb in Edmonton, Springboard Performance in Calgary, and Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers to grow the Prairie Dance Circuit into a larger network of presenters for next season. www.dswlive.ca