Born in Montreal in 1955, Marie Chouinard has worked as a dancer and choreographer since the late 1970s. In 1990, she founded her own dance company. In subsequent years, she’s produced works inspired by famous composers like Stravinksy, Chopin and Bach. But in keeping with her contemporary dance training, she always injects her choreography with an energy and edge that fits perfectly with the pace and pressures of modern life.
Thursday and Friday she and her company are in Regina to present two works. The first Henri Michaux: Mouvements is based on a 64-page book of india ink drawings and poems by the Belgian artist and poet Henri Michaux (1899-1984) that Chouinard subsequently transformed into a choreographic score.
The second work the company will perform is Gymnopédies. It premiered in Lisbon Portugal in June, and is inspired by a composition by the French composer and pianist Erik Satie (1866-1925). Chouinard describes Gymnopédies as a ballet for 11 dancers around the theme of the duet.
Compagnie Marie Chouinard is being presented in Regina by New Dance Horizons. The dance performances are being held at University Theatre in Riddell Centre. Thursday’s show goes at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for students & seniors. Friday’s show is a 1:30 p.m. matinee and will feature Henri Michaux: Mouvements only. Tickets for that are $15. For more information call 306-525-5393.
And to give you a taste of what to expect, here’s a short video showing moments from Henri Michaux: Mouvements:
