Art Series: Dance
As we pass through time and space, we leave imprints of ourselves. Do we dare strip away from stasis and embark into the unpredictable? At a physical distance, Cindy Ansah and Stephanie Jurkova-Abaco contemplate the confines of negative space and how to distort it – attuning to the most nuanced body parts and allowing impulses to reach the furthest expanse of the kinesphere. In collaboration with pianist Daniel Szefer and Alyssa Maturino bringing the work to life for the screen, the pair present Re:New, a multidisciplinary dance film that is at once gradual, gentle, violent, and chaotic. With a rich movement and musical language shared between performers, Re:New attempts to bridge our collective consciousness to the uncomfortable stillness that perpetual change disrupts.
Run time – 3 x 10-15 minute episodes
Rating – PG 13
Show Times –
- June 13 – 6:40-6:55
Run time – 15 minutes
Rating – G
No Content/trigger warnings.
Cast and Creative Team
Co-choreographer and Dancer – Cindy Ansah
Cindy Ansah is a dance artist and emerging choreographer based in Calgary, Alberta. Cindy is embarking on her final year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree at the University of Calgary where she passionately seeks to expand her choreographic and creative horizons with multidisciplinary collaboration. Cindy is also branching out into dance journalism having her work featured on The Dance Current, Springboard Performance, and Alberta Dance Alliance platforms. As a mover, Cindy remains curious about the idiosyncrasies that live in beings, places, and things that inspire creative investigation.
Co-choreographer and Dancer – Stephanie Jurkova-Abaco
Stephanie Jurkova-Abaco is an emerging artist in her final year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance degree, at the University of Calgary. Stephanie’s passion for movement began with Ballroom and Latin dancing, where she experienced success as two-time Canadian Latin Championship Finalist. Stephanie has since diversified her training into contemporary, vernacular jazz, and West African styles. Under the School of Creative and Performing Arts, she has performed in interdisciplinary productions. As a choreographer, Stephanie finds intrigue in unconventional connections – seeking different ways of partnering and negotiating personal space.
Videographer – Alyssa Maturino
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Alyssa Maturino is a passionate dancer, teacher, student, and creator. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Calgary with an interest in dance film. Maturino has performed in productions such as Dance Montage, IGNITE!, Mainstage Dance, and the interdisciplinary productions, Conduct, and The Fairy Queen. Her passion for dance is ignited within the Calgary dance community as she seeks to explore interdisciplinary methods of presentation through collaboration.
Composer/Pianist – Daniel Szefer
Daniel Szefer (21), is a first-generation Polish-American and started piano when he was seven. As a soloist, he has placed in the Orford Prix and Arthur Fraser competitions. In February 2020, he competed in the 10th National Chopin Competition, and just before this, he performed the complete Chopin 2nd Piano Concerto with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Past festivals include the Sergei Babayan Academy, Oxford Philomusica, Gilmore, and Southeastern. He has attended and performed at chamber music festivals in Canada, the US, Mexico, and Norway. He studies at the University of Calgary with Krzysztof Jablonski.
Artistic Mentor – Taylor Ritchie
Taylor Ritchie is a performer, dance educator and arts enthusiast from Calgary, Alberta. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance, with a concentration in choreography and performance with distinction from the University of Calgary. She has performed with Kloetzel&Co., Corps Bara, Ember Dance Company, and Esira Dance Company.
Artistic Mentor – Simon MacLeod
Simon MacLeod is a versatile member of the Calgary arts community, contributing his talents as a sought-after performing and teaching artist on Saxophone. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the UCalgary School of Creative & Performing Arts, and has spent time studying and performing contemporary performance techniques across North America. MacLeod has passion and enthusiasm for contemporary and new music, with a particular love for Canadian classical music. He also hosts a weekly radio program iNTaNGiBiLiTy on CJSW 90.9 FM, highlighting Canadian Classical composers and performers.
Our festival is free to attend although donations help us with funding and enables us to keep bringing you amazing performances every year! We are also encouraging donations to the Calgary Black Empowerment Fund.