New works highlight Baker dance performance

By JoAnn Reynolds

The Faculty of Fine Arts’ Program of Dance presents internationally acclaimed Alberta-born dancer and choreographer Peggy Baker at the University of Calgary.

Having last performed in Calgary in 2006 at One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo, Baker returns to Calgary with a world premiere of her latest solo, Portal. This stark, enigmatic new work will be performed in silence with a stunning lighting design by Montreal’s Marc Parent that both reveals and distorts the dancer.

Audiences will also be treated to a second world premiere with the performance of Dreaming Awake, choreographed by New York iconoclast Molissa Fenley. Performed to a score by Philip Glass, Baker will be joined on stage by renowned Canadian pianist, Andrew Burashko.

The evening will conclude with Baker’s acclaimed 2006 work Krishna’s Mouth. The dance combines text with rigorous, lyrical choreography to tell a potent story about Lord Krishna, the Hindu deity. The music for this piece is by Japanese composer Karen Tanaka, written for cello and percussion.
Baker was presented with the Order of Canada and holds an honourary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Calgary presented in 2000.

Portal will be performed for two nights only Jan. 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre. Tickets are $15 (adults) and $10 (students/seniors) and are available through Campus Ticket Centre 220-7202 or at the door.