A sand dune rises under the Gardiner for Sand Flight, a dance show premiering this June
iPhoto caption: Photo by Hans Ravn.
This spring, the Bentway will present the world premiere of Sand Flight, a large-scale outdoor performance by Norwegian choreographer Ingri Fiksdal and Danish theatre director Jonas Corell Petersen.
Running June 12 to 15 under the Gardiner Expressway and presented in partnership with Toronto Dance Theatre, the production features eight dancers and a 50-person community choir performing atop a constructed sand dune. The underside of the expressway will serve as both stage and backdrop for the piece, which explores how people navigate and respond to public space.
With choreography by Fiksdal, co-direction and text by Petersen, plus original music by composer Sun Rolf, Sand Flight combines movement, live choral performance, and sculptural design.
The work is part of Sun/Shade, a free public art exhibition and event series running at the Bentway throughout the summer. Featuring a lineup of immersive art installations, performances, and community events, the programming explores how Toronto can adapt its urban environment in response to a warming climate — and how sunlight and shadow can be reimagined as creative tools.
“Sand Flight responds to the changing environment by imagining new rituals and traditions in our cities,” wrote Bentway manager of programming Alex Rand in a press release. “It’s a powerful example of how the Gardiner’s shade can be transformed into a space for civic life and artistic exploration. We’re excited for Toronto to meet the dune.”
Sand Flight runs June 12–15 at the Bentway. Pay-what-you-choose tickets are available here.
The Bentway is an Intermission partner. Learn more about Intermission’s partnership model here.
Krystal Abrigo
Krystal is Intermission's Publishing and Editorial Coordinator. A Scarborough-based writer of Philippine and Egyptian descent who enjoys reading bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and James Baldwin. At any given moment, you can probably find her at a concert, or on a long walk somewhere in Toronto (or elsewhere).
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