~~~ I can’t dance, therefore I write
I, like most people, could slice my life into phases. Suburban kid, Journalism undergrad, newly married executive wife, urban single mother … (clip cut here) … eventually civil servant, and now full-time writer.
In September 1990, my life path changed, the way it does. Although I had volunteered with performing arts companies, I started my first paid employment with the Dance Umbrella of Ontario, an arts service organization in Toronto providing administrative help to professional choreographers in accounting, grant application writing and publicity.
The greatest legacy of that work, thirty-five years later, has been my privilege to become friends with some of the best independent dance choreographers in Toronto and in Canada. This is despite the fact that I cannot dance. I tried once, taking Rina Singha’s Kathak class for amateurs. I looked like a cow at a barn dance. So I stuck to writing and bookkeeping.
One thing I learned in the dance world didn’t surprise me. Talented female choreographers struggled to gain recognition within the established dance companies, very much dominated by men. The brave ones struck out on their own, starting their own small companies, with no staff (hence the Dance Umbrella) and company dancers hired project to project. As artistic start-ups, you expect that. But the thing that (still) galls me is that a small dance company with a female artistic director is doubted at the granting bodies’ jury tables. Because, and I have heard jury members say this, “It probably isn’t her primary focus”, “can she really lead?” or, and this is my brain-grinding absolute topper, “her spouse has a well-paying job, so she doesn’t really need the salary”. Please excuse me while I take a moment to scream silently …
I could list the small male-led performing arts companies that the councils, governments and foundations throw money at, but I am not going to, because being Canadian, I do not mean to offend. If you know, you know. These men built fat companies with their own studios, reserve funds, and decent salaries.
Instead, I want you to consider the work delivered by women artists, and the companies that they founded, and I would like you to consider supporting them, by purchasing tickets, subscribing to their newsletter, sharing on social media, and/or through donations. Companies registered as Canadian charities provide tax-deductible receipts, and what might seem a small donation to you goes a long way to helping a small dance company put work on the stage.
As a freelance writer, I can produce work by myself as long as I have electricity and my computer. I suppose I could write it longhand but even I can’t read my handwriting. In contrast, my choreographer friends need to rent studios with a good floor, lighting and sound equipment, and most of all, pay human professional dancers.
Which brings me to what I swear is my last point: these companies pay more than minimum wage to the dancers; they pay a living wage – the amount a worker needs to cover their basic expenses. If the budget is tight, the artistic director waives their own salary in lieu of the dancers’ payroll, even when they themselves need to get paid (refer to paragraph 4, sentence 6 above, about the jury comments).
So, here’s just three companies for you to consider supporting. I know I’m shameless, but it’s not about me. Each in their own words:
Founded by Nova Bhattacharya in 2008, Nova Dance brings new ideas to dance, re-inventing the possibilities of the art. The company breaks down conventions and encourages new talent with the best and most exciting in performance the world over. Nova Dance works with artists from many art forms and a multitude of backgrounds to create a community that celebrates the life-force of dance in our lives.
Nova Dance exists to bring contemporary Canadian dance towards a new future. Embracing diversity as creative inspiration for a body of work that has garnered awards, national and international recognition, and most importantly made connections with audiences and communities.
The company presents critically acclaimed works and arts events, creating a context for a diversity of dance artists to take space with their art. Equity is in the DNA of Nova Dance, and the belief that bringing differences together leads to greater things. The company is dedicated to creating meaningful points of intersection for dance and audiences; supporting artists; and celebrating the role of the arts in a vital society.
The mission of tiger princess dance projects is to create a repertoire of works that reflect the Artistic Director’s unique heritage, perspective and artistic values, and to perform these works in Canada and abroad. Further, tiger princess dance projects develops and delivers dance education through training opportunities for students, senior citizens, and professional artists.
As a choreographer, Yvonne Ng’s creative process is deeply influenced and informed by her artistic experience with Bill James, Tedd Robinson, Marie-Josée Chartier, Deborah Hay, Stephanie Skura (Open Source Forms), and Irene Dowd (Ideokinesis). Her current practice includes Open Source Forms (OSF), a practice that finds dance in the memories and stories inside of us through the investigation/exploration of our full physicality and Vipassana Meditation.
The award-winning Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company was founded in 1982 under the artistic direction of Esmeralda Enrique and has a history rooted in flamenco and Spanish Classical dance. While maintaining the values of traditional flamenco singing, dance and music, the company presents a style that holds in perfect balance tradition and classicism with a modern, contemporary aesthetic. EESDC has been presenting an annual Toronto Season since 1990 and has developed an ever-expanding repertoire that has earned both critical and popular acclaim. With unique, talented dancers and musicians the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company is recognized for the exceptional level of their productions receiving two Dora Mavor Moore Awards in addition to numerous nominations over the years. Passionate and driven, the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company continues to enthrall audiences with its commitment to imaginative choreography and artistic excellence.
Handy Links:
CanadaHelps is a secure platform for donations and tax receipts https://www.canadahelps.org
For more information about independent professional dancers in Ontario, go to: https://danceontario.ca
More about me next time,
Carole
C.A. Logan Author 
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