Author: Ashley Brodeur

It should be opening night. Adrenaline and excitement filled, chilled champagne, a great opening night outfit. Anticipation of a theatre filled with your beautiful faces waiting to see the premiere of the endless hours of work we have put our hearts, minds and bodies into…

I’ve felt a lot of things in the past few weeks, we all have. Tonight, instead of feeling blue about not presenting Beautiful Noise (and, all the gods help me, you will see it next season) I feel romantic, remembering opening nights past. I must dream of what the future will bring, it will have bleakness yes, but tonight I want to be hopeful. Opening night is a night of promise, a ritual of transformation from studio to stage, an end and a beginning, a moment unlike any other. We are jazz artists, and I have to believe that given the long and troubled history of jazz, that jazz will make it through this unstable time and bring us all with it.

I’m thinking about how lucky I am to have had so many wonderful opening nights with this company, too many to count. Since we have been in this DJD Dance Centre chapter of our history, we have had seven opening nights. Here are the promotional videos for those works, reminisce with me and feel romantic for the next time we can have an opening night together.

In the spirit of jazz,

Kimberley Cooper
Artistic Director

The post It should be Opening Night… (Beautiful Noise) appeared first on Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

DJD’s annual Black and White Ball is a fundraising event unlike no other. The community initiative primarily fundraising for the Children’s Bursary Fund, offers a night of indulgence, opulence and entertainment. Weaved throughout the Fairmont Palliser, are pop up performances from the lobby to the Crystal Ballroom. The Decidedly Jazz Company Dancers, living statues, musicians and dancers, there is a performance style to suit any taste.

THE CARIFEST DANCERS

A collective brought together by DJD Company Member, Sabrina Comanescu, returning to The Black and White Ball once again! Rooted in caribbean movement styles like soca and dancehall, you can also find this group of dancers at Carifest this summer. They love this fine night of jazz and glamour, along with sharing the space with everyone who supports DJD!

The post PEOPLE OF DJD – BLACK AND WHITE BALL PERFORMER – THE CARIFEST DANCERS appeared first on Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

One of the best things about getting ready for The Black and White Ball is reminiscing over the great times had in the past. Capturing the essence of the evening once again, we have Michael Grondin, freelance photographer of music, fashion, nightlife and culture in the city of Calgary.

Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BLACK AND WHITE BALL EXPERIENCE LIKE?
A:My first Black and White Ball Experience was a feast for the eyes. I never been somewhere where everyone in the room was so enthusiastic about dancing and grooving together.

Q: WHAT ABOUT THE BLACK AND WHITE BALL IS UNIQUE TO SHOOT VERSUS SOME OF YOUR OTHER WORK?
A:The Black and White Ball is unique in that there is so much going on at once. It’s a party where there is a vast level of expertise (in the dancing) balanced with energetic amounts of pure fun. As a photographer, its both a challenge and a privilege to capture such an event.

Q:WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THIS YEARS BLACK AND WHITE BALL?
A:I am going in with and open mind, open eyes and can’t wait to see what I capture this time around.

Click here to see some of the amazing moments photographed from last years ball by Michael!

@m.grondin.photo

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