Tono, one of Canada’s most prestigious productions, passes through St. Albert’s Arden Theatre on Feb. 2 and 3. On its way to the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, this stunning showcase is a dramatic dance that connects the mystery, mysticism and majesty from three indigenous horse cultures of Canada, China and Mongolia.
Produced by Toronto’s Red Sky Performance, it was inspired by artistic director Sandra Laronde’s travels to Asia. Co-choreographed by Roger Sinha, it is grounded in the elements of horse culture and shamanism that speak so deeply to the tribal identities of indigenous people on both continents.
With a backdrop of Asian mountains, the troupe’s 11 dancers and live musicians recreate images of horses thundering down the plains enhanced by stirring Mongolian throat singers and long singers.
Following the Arden showcase, Tono travels to the Vancouver Playhouse from Feb. 11 to 14, then to the World Expo in Shanghai May 5 to.
Showtime at the Arden is 8 p.m. Tickets are $32.50 adults, $25 students/seniors. Call 780-459-1542 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information visit www.redskyperformance.com.
Global Visions Film Festival’s February instalment of the Doc Soup monthly screening series features the Edmonton premiere of Junior. This 77-minute American film by director Jenna Rosher looks at some of the dilemmas seniors face, as they grow old.
This documentary follows Eddie Belasco, a 75-year-old San Francisco theatre vet, with three failed marriages and grown-up kids, now facing retirement. Declining ticket sales at his theatre company are forcing him to call it quits and his 65-year-old battle with diabetes is complicated by encroaching glaucoma. He is a director losing his vision and life is taking a direction he has not expected.
Junior screens on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Metro Cinema, Zeidler Hall in the Citadel Theatre, 9828 – 101 A Ave. Single tickets are $10 and are available at www.tixonthesquare.ca or at the door.
Musicians can have a tough time keeping relationships going, but Paula Perro and Gerry Moellering know just how to put life in their marriage. The Edmonton couple just sing away the blues together.
They are performing Tuesday, Feb. 2 at Ammar’s Open Jam. With no signs of stopping after 35 years in the business, Moellering has opened for the late great Bo Diddley, Jeff Healey and Dr. Hook.
“He’s a wicked guitar player and I got sparked when I played with him at Orlando’s,” says co-host Mark Ammar. “He’s very spontaneous and he likes to keep everybody together. He’s a very quiet leader on stage.”
And as for Perro, her major influences have been the soul-food voices of Etta James and Nina Simone. Perro started singing 10 years ago and now fronts the rock-n-blues band No Foolin’. “Paula is a bubbly girl and singer and when she starts singing she lights up the stage.”
The open jam is at 23 Akins Drive and starts at 9 p.m. No cover.
