In My Body by Crazy Smooth
It is said that the bravest thing a dancer can do is grow old – for a b-boy or a b-girl, the experience is approaching heroic. In keeping with hip-hop culture, b-boys and b-girls present a façade of confidence and invincibility as they engage in battles to prove their value and establish their dominance. The resulting vocabulary is one of the most physically demanding and visually impressive of the dance genres and leaves no room for the expression of vulnerability. With In My Body, dancer and choreographer Crazy Smooth brings together an intergenerational group of dancers and an international creative team for an intensely athletic investigation of the evolution of self and the effects of aging on street dancers.
Performance in French.
In collaboration with Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur and Maison de la culture de Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
Click here for the digital program and French surtitles.
Bright Red by Nolan Murray
“Bright Red” is a contemporary solo based on Laurie Anderson’s piece of the same name. The solo was choreographed by Charles-Alexis Desgagnés, a professional dancer from Quebec City who stands out for his creativity and his ability to push the boundaries of movement. The number highlights the quality of the dancer’s movement and his ability to captivate an audience. From this perspective, the music does not control the choreography; on the contrary, the choreography directs the music.
Crazy Smooth is one of Canada’s top street dance ambassadors, a choreographer, dancer, sought-after instructor, judge, and community leader. He is the founder and artistic director of Bboyizm, an award-winning dance company that has been instrumental in the preservation and proliferation of street dance in Canada and abroad.
His latest work, In My Body, was developed during his 2019-2021 long-term residency at the Centre de Création O Vertigo in Montreal. The creation won four Dora Awards in 2022, including Outstanding Performance, for its co-presentation by Canadian Stage, dance Immersion and TO Live. Crazy Smooth’s contributions to street dance were recognized at the 2023 Dynastie awards in Montreal, where he was named Dancer of the Year.
Nolan Murray is originally from Matane, but has been living in Quebec City for the past 3 years. At just 19, he is a dancer who excels in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, ballet, musical and hip-hop. It was at the age of 11 that he developed his passion for dance at the École de Ballet-Jazz de Matane. Since turning 16, Nolan has moved to Quebec City to dance and train at QMDA, a prestigious dance school in Quebec City. He excels in all styles, demonstrating his passion on competitive stages. Indeed, Nolan was recently awarded the title of “Mister Candance” at the regional “Candance” competition in Montreal. As a dancer, performer and new choreographer, he continues to blossom in this field. Gradually embarking on his dream professional career, Nolan has made a name for himself in such projects as the Nickelodeon film “Snow Day”.
Choreography
Crazy Smooth
Assistant choreographer / Rehearsal director
Saxon Fraser
Dancers
Crazy Smooth, DKC Freeze, Tash, Nubian Néné, JC Fresh, Montuu, Vibz, JK-47, Ange
Dancer/social media coordinator
Anyo
Outside eye
Melly Mel
Costume designer and stylists
Sonya Bayer & Melly Mel
Original Music
DJ Shash’U
Writer
Alejandro Rodriguez
Lights
Chantal Labonté
Creative consultant
Sophie Michaud
Multimedia Designer
Thomas Payette (mirari)
Creative Programmer
Charles-Éric Gandubert (The interactive box)
Set Designer
Xavier Mary (mirari)
Lighting Director
Chantal Labonté
Tour Manager
Claire Bourdin
Agent
Gillian Reid
Executive Producer
Centre de Création O Vertigo – CCOV
Co-production partners
Bboyizm, The CanDance Network Creation Fund, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Brian Webb Dance Company, Yukon Arts Centre, dance Immersion and Canadian Stage, and is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.
