History of Ballet Creole Active on the Canadian dance scene since August 1990, Ballet Creole comprises both a professional ensemble of dancers and musicians and a School of Performing Arts.While focusing on the traditional and contemporary performing arts of the Caribbean and Africa, Ballet Creole aims to establish a dynamic new artistic tradition in Canada through “creolization” or fusion of diverse dance and music traditions.
Under the artistic direction of dancer / choreographer / percussionist Patrick Anthony Parson, Ballet Creole provides a forum for choreographers, dancers and musicians to practice and teach their art. A number of works in the repertoire feature dancers on stilts; African roots transported to the Western artistic work.
On stage, the exuberant dialogue between the drummers and dancers of Ballet Creole has consistently drawn enthusiastic responses. As a fledgling company, Ballet Creole performed to an audience of 5,000 at the 1991 WOMAD Festival in Toronto, where the company “drew thunderous applause” for its performances in which the “energy and brilliance of Caribbean and contemporary African cultures are portrayed”.
Ballet Creole held it’s first dance season in 1992 at the Winchester Street Theatre. The Company quickly established itself in the mainstream dance world through its invitation to participate in the CIBC 1992/93 Dance Season at the Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront, where it performed t sell-out audiences. Since 1994, the company has presented its annual dance season at Harbourfront’s duMaurier and Premiere Dance Theatres in Toronto, as well as in theatres in St.Catharines, Ontario and Hamilton.
The company has performed in many of the major cities and festivals in Canada, to popular acclaim. In the summer of 1993 Ballet Creole expanded its touring to the northern USA, appearing in Columbus, Ohio and Oswego, New York.
Through its daily classes and summer school programming, the Ballet Creole School of Performing Arts offers an innovative mix of Afrocentric percussion and contemporary African, Caribbean and modern dance for adults, children, beginners, amateurs, and professionals wishing to develop their technique and performance skills. An apprenticeship program is available in dance and music for professional level dancers and youth wishing to delve intensively in these art forms.
Ballet Creole is a non-profit charitable organization. In accordance with its constitution, Ballet Creole is directed by a ten member Board of Directors.
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