World: Ballet Creole was founded in Toronto in 1990 by Trinidadian-born dancer, educator, choreographer and drummer Patrick Parson who did Masters in Dance Ethnology as well as BFA in Dance.
He has created a technically strong and adaptable professional dance group by fusing traditional African and Caribbean aesthetics with the Katherine Dunham contemporary method.
They create and present contemporary dance works which draw from the rich traditions of Africa and the Diaspora. Through its performances and training programs, they build awareness, challenges perspectives through artistic means and connects with the widest cross-section of constituents possible.
Their central philosophy is “Harmony in Diversity Creates a New Energy”.
Their piece “WOKE” is a powerful new choreography inspired by injustice protracted in recent world events. Choreographed by Patrick Parsons, he uses spoken word, dance and rousing video imagery to bring forth a piece that evokes awareness, reflection empowerment and hope. Ballet Creole utilizes strong images, physicality, and gripping poetic words to evoke heartfelt messages of truth, inspiration and unity. As performers Shavaun Brown, Chelcia Creary, Taelor Coleman, Kirk Easy, Alistair Graphine and Yuhala Muy Garcia take the stage, we are so excited to see this performance.
Along with this, it includes a professional school of performing arts as well as a group of musicians and dancers.
Ballet Creole focuses on traditional and modern dance while incorporating music from all around the world. It has a strong emphasis on the disciplines of the Caribbean as well as Africa. Ballet Creole has brought back the traditional French meaning of “ballet” as “dance,” and “creole” as a blending of many dance techniques and cultural influences.
Furthermore, the history of ballet has been traced back to the Italian Renaissance, when it was formed as a form of court entertainment.
This form of dance was introduced between the 15th and 16th centuries.
