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Natural Talent

DW 134: BRIEF INCARNATIONS solo works performed by Denise Fujiwara at du Maurier Theatre Centre, March 21-23. See Dance Listings. Rating: NNNNN

Choreographer/dancer Denise Fujiwara traces her dedication to solo dance works to her early training in gymnastics. Gymnastics gave her the concentration and focus that she brings to dance, whether it’s her acclaimed, Butoh-inspired Sumida River or an ongoing series that translates her fascination with the natural elements into movement. Danceworks’ latest show presents Fujiwara in a quartet of solos, including a remount of her own Water, set to a Bach partita, and the premiere of SOMETHING for NOTHINGness, inspired by haiku and senryu poetry.

“The verse is irreverent but has a revelatory quality shot through with a Zen sensibility,” offers the dancer, who speaks the verse as part of the performance.

Fujiwara fills out her dance card with works by choreographers who have a knack for creating pieces for solo artists, Tedd Robinson’s Heroic Garb And Intimate Marching and Peter Chin’s Tulmiskat. The former is a study of crystallized moments in human behaviour, while Chin’s work, set to his own score and played live by four musicians, is a “richly condensed piece, detailed and specific in its qualities and its movement.” Fujiwara laughs, noting that a solo dancer can never afford to break the connection with an audience. “And if simply dancing it weren’t enough of a sophisticated challenge, Peter also makes me sing and speak in tongues.” Can’t wait for the tuneful revelation.

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