Taboo is something forbidden, exotic, illicit, and a brand of absinthe hailing from the Okanagan. It was all of these things that inspired Suddenly Dance Theatre to choose Taboo as the name for their 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser.
In particular, absinthe has an alternate meaning for Suddenly Dance founders David Ferguson and Miles Lowry. Absinthe is an alcoholic concoction comprised of wormwood and various herbs said to have hallucinogenic properties that became popular in France at the turn of the century.
“We love that turn of the century fin de siŹcle period in France. It’s also a period that there was lots of innovation going on in the arts. There were lots of enfants terrible, which is the term of saying the artist that’s being provocative and rebellious and finding innovation,” says Ferguson. “Part of our birthday nod at the word ‘taboo’ is because we think of ourselves in that way: here we are at the turn of another century, and I think we place ourselves in that place of discovery that those artists 100 years ago were also looking for. New media was arriving to them at that time, so poetically and abstractly we’re honouring that.”
The fundraiser will also serve as a toast to all of Suddenly Dance’s supporters over the past 20 years, who have stood with them as the company has choreographed their way through various challenges. It’s been a struggle and it wasn’t until last year that they were able to get a studio of their own.
“There’s survival in running a non-profit and in running a dance company,” says Ferguson. “Survival as in you’re constantly manoeuvring through possibilities and opportunities: things that change, funding that does or doesn’t come through, changes of government, philosophies of people, changes of audience.”
Taboo is a celebration of survival and uniqueness. The show will be a collective gathering of talented and creative expressionists coming together to create something truly distinctive. It will involve a belly dancer, a contemporary dancer, a vocalist, a viola player, and an African musician, who will all be responding to the moment and each other while giving off the energy of a jam session.
“Part of what we’ve always done as a company is leaped into experimenting that way and putting people together who might not know each other but have to come together in some union for the purpose of presentation,” explains Ferguson. “My favourite way of performing is actually to walk onto stage knowing nothing and to just perform; that’s how I often work, through improvisation. We don’t work in front of the mirror making shapes. We practice responding to each other like a conversation, but physically. And we practice that as part of our rehearsals and then in performance we just improvise.”
Freeform expression coupled with an absinthe-infused cocktail created specifically for the event promise a night of exoticism, intrigue, the possibility of hallucinations, and, of course, dance.
“When you watch people dancing onstage, you’re really dancing in your seat oftentimes,” says Ferguson. “Dance helps fulfill people’s kinetic reach.”
Taboo
6 pm Friday, October 5, $40
The Superior
250–380–9515 (must call to reserve)