Femme du Feu to Bring CIRCUS SESSIONS to Harbourfront Centre Theatre

Femmes du Feu will present Circus Sessions at Harbourfront Centre as part of NextSteps 2016/17.

Now in its third year, Circus Sessions is a week-long creative laboratory where 12 national and international contemporary circus artists work together under the guidance of a mentor.

Join us to witness two incredible performances of new work created throughout this experimental week on Friday, May 19th and Saturday, May 20th at 8:00pm at Harbourfront Centre Theatre.

Circus Sessions' mandate is to support the progression of Canadian contemporary circus while also focusing on professional artist development; it is co-produced by Femmes du Feu's Artistic Director, Holly Treddenick and Lynanne Sparrow of Harbourfront Centre. Under the artistic guidance of a mentor, this week-long residency offers contemporary circus artists to engage, explore and push their own boundaries in a supportive environment, while developing new ideas and creations. Artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines participate and are encouraged to question and challenge their understanding of what circus is and what it can be. After five days of intensive work, Circus Sessions culminates in a two-night performance.

"There is much to be done to support the development of contemporary circus outside of Québec, Canada, where the École Nationale de Cirque is located," says Artistic Director Holly Treddenick, "Circus Sessions is a direct answer to the lack of educational and developmental opportunities in English Canadian circus."

This year, Circus Sessions mentor is Sean Gandini, co-artistic director of the fantastically avante-garde juggling, Gandini Juggling in London, UK. Artists include: Antoinette Lane (German Wheel) Brattleboro, VT; Bailey Eng (Chinese Pole, contorsion), Montreal, QB; Bekka Rose (juggling), Montreal QB; Britt Howlett (trapeze) Toronto, ON; Christel Bartelse (clown) Toronto,ON; Courtney Prokopas (aerial rope) Chicago, IL; Dominique Rabideau (juggling) Montreal, QB; Greg Tarlin (juggling) Toronto,ON; Jessica McMann (Observer) Calgary, AB; Kevin Chen (juggling) Montreal, QB; Louis Barbier (juggling) Toronto,ON; Manuel Rodriguez Saenz (clown) Toronto, ON; Mike Johns (juggling) Toronto/ Australia; Shayna Swanson (Cyr Wheel, aerial rope) Chicago, IL; Ty Vennewitz (Hoola hoops, Cyr Wheel) Ahsland, OR.

Post show Q&A hosted by:

Roy Gómez Cruz (Friday, May 19th)

Brandy Leary (Saturday, May 20th)

For ticket information visit:

www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps/femmes-du-feu-2

Femmes du Feu is a project operating company founded in 2003. Since 2007, Femmes du Feu have been actively creating and presenting aerial circus works, researching innovative ways to combine their contemporary dance and choreographic backgrounds with their aerial circus skills. We will be presenting our most descent work, Rev, at HarbourKids: Circus 2017 on the Concert Stage May 20, 21 and 22. Femmes du Feu also have several non-performative services including Aer Time, a contemporary circus performance series, hosting discussions and other community events. Circus Sessions, now in it's third year, is an exciting project for Femmes du Feu and we look forward to, and are curious about it's ongoing impact and resonance.