DanceWorks to Present World Premiere of Bageshree Vaze's PARATOPIA, 4/23-25

DanceWorks, Toronto's longest running contemporary dance series, proudly presents Paratopia, a dynamic evening of works featuring the world premiere of the title piece from award-winning dance and music artist Bageshree Vaze and her company Raagini Dance. Pushing the boundaries of Kathak in new and exciting ways to explore a 21st century vision of dance,Paratopia premieres Thursday, April 23 and runs to Saturday, April 25 at 8pm nightly at Harbourfront Centre Theatre as part of NextSteps.

With top-notch dancers and musicians from Toronto and India, Paratopia showcases the diverse parameters of classical Kathak dance, a style that originated in India's 17th century royal courts and is known for its intricate footwork and rhythms as well as graceful sweeps. The word "paratopia" connotes displacement and alterity, and these ideas are reflected through a dynamic display of different movement styles ranging from Kathak to contemporary to hip hop.

"People think of Indian classical dance as traditional, but it is very contemporary, and evolves everyday," says Vaze. "I'm excited to be working with versatile dancers who are able to interpret Kathak language and add their own abilities into choreography that highlights common elements in all the styles."

The title piece combines classical Indian and urban dance styles and highlights the signature qualities of Kathak dance: complex footwork, sparkling pirouettes, intricate facial and hand gestural language and dynamic movements. Inspired by The Matrix movies (which were themselves inspired partly by the Indian concept of Maya), this new work combines Kathak rhythms with urban/hip hop beats and choreography, featuring Toronto dancers Daniel Gomez, Danny McArthur, Samantha Schleese and Bageshree Vaze, tabla drum artist Vineet Vyas, Dora Award-winning composer Phil Strong, video/animation artist Elysha Poirier and human beat-box artistKillaBeatz. Kathak dance star Anuj Mishra from Lucknow, India also performs in the production.

Additionally, the evening includes excerpts of dynamic solos from past works choreographed by Vaze: Avatar (9) and In My (Dis)Placeperformed by Vaze, and Tarana and Damaru performed by Mishra.

General tickets are $28 - $37; $15 for CultureBreak (under 25); and $5 HipTix for students. Discounts for seniors, students and groups are also available. To purchase please call Harbourfront Centre Box Office: 416-973-4000 OR visit online: www.danceworks.ca.

Bageshree Vaze is an Indo-Canadian dance artist and musician. Raised in St. John's, NL, Bageshree initially trained in Bharatha Natyam, and studied vocal music with her father, Damodar Vaze. She later trained in Kathak dance with Jai Kishan Maharaj in New Delhi, and studied vocal music with the renowned Veena Sahasrabuddhe. Living in Toronto since 1996, Bageshree has three CDs to her credit, including Tarana, an album of music for Indian dance, which was released in India by Times Music under the name Khanak. Bageshree holds an M.A. in Dance from York University. In 2009 Bageshree was featured as a guest artist with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, and in 2010, she was awarded the K.M. Hunter Award in Dance. Bageshree has performed in major festivals in Canada and abroad, such as the CanAsian International Dance Festival and the 'Vasantotsav' festival in New Delhi. Bageshree has choreographed numerous Kathak dance works, and in 2012 she launched her Spectrum series of multi-disciplinary art at the Harbourfront Centre through her organization Pratibha Arts. www.bageshree.com

DanceWorks began as a collective of independent dance artists in 1977 and has grown to become Toronto's leading presenter of independent dance. Strong in the belief that dance has the power to illuminate, engage and transform all who participate, DanceWorks offers seasons of eclectic, exhilarating choreography programmed to intrigue, challenge and enthral. DanceWorks adds to the theatrical experience with danceflics, Carol's Dance Notes and post-performance conversations with artists. DanceWorks is the administrator of the CanDance Network and Dance Ontario Association. www.danceworks.ca