Kinesis Dance somatheatro, from Vancouver, performs ODDessay, based in part on Homer’s Odyssey, at ROMP! this year.
A FREE SHOWCASE OF ECLECTIC DANCE
For 16 years, dance provocateur David Ferguson has mounted ROMP!, a showcase of modern dance. It started out very grassroots, but has evolved over the years, changing venues and attracting non-local performers. Its current home is Centennial Square, an outdoor venue whose choice was inspired by a 2008 trip to Korea where Ferguson performed al fresco as part of a large festival. “I love dancing outdoors because of the feel of the air and the sense of freedom … it’s like skinny dipping,” he laughs. Designed to overlap with the launch of the Fringe Festival, ROMP! is a free, five-day event featuring about 50 dancers. One of the highlights will be Bounce in the Square, which is curated by noted Victoria performer Treena Stubel and throws a spotlight on local dancers. Present/ Tense 8 will feature writers reading from their work while dancers improvise to the words. And Vancouver’s Kinesis Dance somatheatro interprets Homer’s Odyssey. “The choreographer is Greek and he includes some material based on his experience serving in the Greek army,” says Ferguson. Also worth noting is Kiki, which is part of the Fringe Festival and features Ferguson’s dance partner Jung ah Chung cavorting on an eight-foot inflatable chair. “It’s performance art for kids … dreamy and fun,” says Ferguson of the first piece he ever choreographed specifically for children. Running from August 20–24, 6–7 pm, at Centennial Square. For information, see suddenlydance.ca.
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