Kojira – Toronto Fringe 2015 Press Release

Mixed program of three dance works, Kojira “sever[s] the past to create fodder for the saplings of change”

60x60 2010 Crimson Mix The Music Gallery 167 John St. Toronto, ON Saturday, November 20, 2010 40) for Walter Moers Choreographer: random acts of dance random acts of dance takes Toronto by surprise with contemporary-modern dance in the theatre, on the street, and on the subway. Check it out at www.randomactsofdance.com Composer: Edward Ruchalski Edward Ruchalski has been commissioned by the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Helen Boatwright, the Lavender Trio and Syracuse's Society for New Music; and has had performances by the Buffalo Guitar Quartet, Robert Black and the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings. His compositions have been performed at Lincoln Center, Mass MOCA, Miller Theatre, the Everson Museum and at the Festival of Miami. Ruchalski has also been the recipient of two Artist Grants from Syracuse's Cultural Resources Council for his compositions using motorized string and percussion sculptures of his own design. To date, he has eight studio recordings available on Pseudoarcana, Afe, Humbug, Taalem & Foxy Digitalis. His latest release, WaterTrain, is available on Humbug. Ruchalski received his B.F.A. in Music Composition at SUNY Fredonia and his Masters in Music at the University of Miami, Florida. He lives in Syracuse, New York, where he teaches guitar privately and at Le Moyne College. This studio work, for altered music boxes and a field recording of sparrows, is dedicated to the writer, Walter Moers.

Excerpt from press release:

Kojira is severing the past to create fodder for the saplings of change. This mixed program includes three dance works. The opening scene brings us deep into the forest where woodland nymphs reflect on the deep roots of the past and climb to the future with Patterns in the Ivy. From there we move into Tempered: a woman boxed in by her limitations, retreats into her mind to find freedom and instigate change. The final piece, Kite Walk, is a journey to leave behind what is known and find something new.

random acts of dance began as a site specific dance company. We found our audience from performing in organized events, like street festivals, to ambushing Toronto’s subways and parks with improvisation. Although our current show, Kojira, and several of our past works have been created for the stage we frequently return to improvisation, both in the creative process and structured into our choreography.

random acts of dance in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents Kojira.

Showtimes:

Friday July 3 @ 5:45pm
Saturday July 4 @ 5:15pm
Tuesday July 7 @ 9:00pm
Wednesday July 8 @ 12:00pm
Thursday July 9 @ 11:00pm
Saturday July 11 @ 5:45pm
Sunday July 12 @ 5:15pm

Venue: Randolph Theatre – 736 Bathurst St.

Tickets for all Fringe productions are $10, $12 in advance. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone (416-966-1062, business hours only), in-person from the festival box office located in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s, (481 Bloor West), or — if any remain — from the venue box office (cash-only), starting one hour before showtime.

The festival offers a range of money-saving passes for committed Fringers; see website for details.

Be advised that Fringe shows always start exactly on time, and latecomers are never admitted.

Photo by of dancer Julie Grant by Marvin Kwan