Co.ERASGA Presents – What on EARTH

By Co.ERASGA Dance Society

Co.ERASGA 24th season presents the creation and presentation of What on EARTH consisting of 3 ensemble works created by three international dance artists: Vancouver’s very own Alvin Erasga Tolentino and our two guest artists in residence Toronto’s Naishi Wang and Berlin’s Alvin Collantes. The three choreographers forge creativity together to create this 75 minutes dance program to support Co.ERASGA vision towards dance-art creation for environmental stewardships.

What on Earth will continue to examine the critical creative relations to the environment and the dire times we face with global warming. Can we raise and push creative investments , practices and concerns to attune our creativity to an alarming and devastating fragile ecologies? The productions seek and push to question our human relational, place and time on environmental concerns and stewardship. The effects of climate change are undeniable, impacting communities worldwide and exacerbating existing inequalities. Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there lies a beacon of hope- a collective call for action, resilience and solidarity.

(Co.ERASGA Photo)

The 3 new works to premiere are:

Fire-Air-Water-Earth

We are one with nature’s sacred elements; fire, air, water and earth threaten as we face and struggle in the crisis of climate change.

Weathering Rhythm

In weathering Rhythms dancers raise voices, stomp the feet, and embody hope in harmony with nature, urging us to confront the realities of the climate crisis while celebrating resilience as an act of cheerleading to the determination of communities striving for a sustainable future.

Bulkan

Delves deep into the fiery depths of human emotion, drawing parallels between the raw power of volcanic eruptions and the tumultuous landscape of one’s innermost feelings. Anger is an emotion that has been repressed deeply into the fabric of the capitalized body. Beneath the sheets of rage, passion, destruction and burning desires dancers find solace within the chaos of the formless.

The Choreographers:

Alvin Erasga Tolentino

Philippine born Alvin Erasga Tolentino is one of the most active Asian/Canadian dance artists contributing 3 decades to the dance milieu and internationally as a choreographer and dancer. He is the founding and artistic director of Vancouver based Co.ERASGA.

Naishi Wang

Born in Changchun, China, Naishi Wang began his training at Jilin College of Art before moving to Canada in 2004 to attend The School of TDT. He was a company member of Toronto Dance Theatre for nine years, and in 2015 embarked on an independent career. As an award-winning performer and independent choreographer, Naishi’s development aligns with his belief that the performing arts offer an imaginary perspective, and is interested in pushing the art form in the 21st century.

Alvin Collantes

A Filipino-Canadian artist, drag performer, Certified Gaga teacher and a choreographer based in Berlin, Germany. Drawing from his personal experiences as queer, immigrant and a person of colour, the essence of this research explored topics of assimilation and its emotional upheavals, physical sensations or marginalized bodies and the cultural resilience in queer communities.

Vancouver’s acclaimed dance company Co.ERASGA creates cross cultural and experimental works. The company supports and contributes to the development and enhancement of contemporary dance globally and continues to seek new and challenging projects that provide opportunities and cross-cultural issues in today’s society. The company’s 24th season newest creation features three international choreographers to create three ensemble works that supports the company’s three year planned vision towards art creation for environmental awareness: The choreographers: Alvin Erasga Tolentino along with Co.ERASGA’s 2023/24 artists in residence Toronto’s Nashi Wang and Berlin’s Alvin Collantes join forces together and use dance to bring to question our human relational, place and time towards environmental awareness, What On Earth offers us the artist’s voices uniting with a community role and concerns into a fragile earth in danger.

(Co.ERASGA Photo)

What On EARTH is made possible and generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, BC Gaming Commission, Creative BC, City of Vancouver, The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, Media Sponsors: Stir Vancouver and Co.ERASGA individual members, donors and sponsors.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ria Multani- Co.ERASGA 604 687 6185 info@companyerasgadance.ca