Contemporary Dance Company "Le Patin Libre" to Perform at Peterborough Memorial Centre

Public Energy Performing Arts is bringing the internationally-renowned contemporary dance company Le Patin Libre and their performance ‘Murmuration’ to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on April 8, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

Public energy performing arts supplied photo

Le Patin Libre of Montreal has assembled a company of 15 virtuoso skaters from 7 countries to perform the original dance on ice, ‘Murmuration’, based on the aerial ballets of swarms of birds.

According to a media release, the dancers move at high speeds around the rink, nearly careening into each other, coming together as one, instantly changing directions and splitting up into separate flocks.

Tickets for the event are available from the Peterborough Memorial Centre Box Office.

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Premiere Dance Studio Excels At Move Dance Competition

The Premiere Studio of Dance excelled at the Move Dance competition in Gatineau, Quebec, this past weekend, bringing home a number of trophies and titles in multiple divisions.

Max, Ashlynn, Hazel, Ava, Aislin and Ella (Finals Champions). photo by Sara Connelly.

“We faced a new challenge attending the highest calibre of competition we have in our 23 years of business,” said Premiere’s Jesse Anglesey. “We knew it would be inspiring for our competitive team to witness the level of talent at a competition like this, as the participating studios were among the best in the area.”

Finals Champions:

1st Place Sr Solo - Max Battersby, Bird Gurhl (choreography by Meggie Pound)

1st Place Mini/Jr Solo - Ashlynn Evoy, How to Disappear Completely (choreography by Sara Connelly)

2nd Place Sr Duet/Trio - Max Battersby and Ava Mason, Something to Someone (choreography by Meaghan Sheppard)

3rd Place Intermediate Duet/Trio - Ella Hancock and Aislin Watt, Unholy (choreography by Bizzy Boom)

3rd Place Mini/Jr Duet/Trio - Ashlynn Evoy and Hazel Fuderer, Eye of the Tiger (choreography by Meggie Pound)

Other runner up finals participants included Kaleigh Twiss who competed with her solo Automatic (choreography by Jen Carter), the Jr Competitive Level team who competed with their dance We Are Family (choreography by Meggie Pound), the Int Competitive Level team who competed with their dance A Dream of Water (choreography by Meaghan Sheppard), the Int/Sr Pre-Competitive Level team who competed with their dance Helium (choreography by Miia Korhonen) and the Sr Competitive Level team who competed with their dance HERO (choreography by Robyn Carter).

Premiere was also awarded four student scholarships to Corbin Archibald, Max Battersby, Enrico Emmenegger, and Avery Packman, as well as a teacher scholarship to Sara Connelly.

photo by Sara Connelly.

In addition to last week’s competition, Premiere stated that they are extremely proud of their team’s results from the first competition of the season back in mid-March for being awarded:

1st Place age 12 and over Solo/Duet/Trio - Max Battersby, On Then and Now (choreography by Sara Connelly)

1st place age 11 and under Solo/Duet/Trio - Ashlynn Evoy, Hazel Fuderer, & Sophie McCarthy, New York, New York (choreography by Meggie Pound)

1st Place age 12 and over Group - HERO (choreography by Robyn Carter)

1st Place age 11 and under Group - We Are Family (choreography by Meggie Pound)

As well as several student scholarships.

“Not only was it amazing to be apart of an event like this and see the other talent there, but to come out with the end results that we did makes us beyond proud of our team and inspired to keep pushing further and reaching higher,” concluded Anglesy.

Any questions about Premiere’s recreational or competitive programs can be directed at info@premieredance.ca. Summer programs are now open for registration, and 2023/24 season information is coming soon.

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Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program Honours MacHart Family Through ‘Sweet Charity’ Fundraising Event

The Thomas A. Stewart (TAS) auditorium was packed with a sold-out crowd Tuesday night as the school’s dance program hosted the ‘Sweet Charity’ fundraising event in support of the MacHart family.

The Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program. Photo by Michael Brown Photography.

After a 4-year hiatus, the TAS Dance Program was able to host their annual fundraising event in-person on Feb. 21.

“This year's event was extra special to us for a few reasons,” says TAS dance teacher Susie Clarke. “Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to host live performances, so filling a space with this many people and having them experience this as a collective, once again, has been so meaningful for all performers and audience members.”

The next reason, Clarke says, is getting to give back to the community.

“Traditionally, Sweet Charity funnels all proceeds to multiple local charities, as chosen by each participating dance organization. This year we collectively decided to channel all proceeds from the event to support the MacHart family,” she said.

Clarke says all participating organizations were in support of this, which TAS is “wholeheartedly grateful for.”

Riddick, Jon and Stefphanie MacHart were victims of a fatal accident on Hwy. 7 on the 22nd of November last year. Rowghan MacHart, the only survivor, was airlifted to SickKids hospital where she remains today.

The Machart family. gofundme photo.

Riddick MacHart had been a member of the dance program for the past five years, and sister Rowghan a grade nine Integrated arts student at the school. Stefphanie was an educational assistant at TAS.

“If anyone had the opportunity to see Riddick in his element, you would already know that he exuded passion, commitment and joy every time he stepped on to the stage,” said Clarke. “As you can imagine, this loss has been profound for not only the TAS dance community, but for our entire school. Furthermore, it is clear that the MacHart family had, and continues to have, a profound impact on our entire dance and arts community in Peterborough.”

In an update from MacHart family GoFundMe creator Tanya Hart on Feb. 16, she says that Rowghan is “making progress day by day” despite challenges due to her extensive internal injuries.

“Rowghan has proven time and time again that she will not let it stop her from progressing and moving forward,” the update reads.“We would like to thank TAS and all of the performers for always being such a huge support to the family.”

The Baily Baptie School of Dance. Photo by Michael Brown Photography.

Revolutions Dance Studio. Photo by Michael Brown Photography.

The Premiere Studio of Dance. Photo by Michael Brown Photography.

The event included 22 dance pieces, submitted and performed by twelve local dance organizations; Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program, Trent University Dance Team, Velocity School Of Dance, Lakefield College School Dance Company, 7 Attitudes School of Arts, Next Generation Dance Company, Revolutions Dance Studio, Imagine Studios, Premiere Studio of Dance, Jubilation Studios, Dance Nouveau and Baily Baptie School of Dance.

In total, there were 209 dancers who performed in front of the sold-out crowd. 

Clarke says that Rowghan and Riddick’s grandfather Jim was in attendance, as well as Riddick’s girlfriend, Brooke Conroy. Clarke says Conroy was an integral part of the production of the event, who worked alongside her to create something special and honour the MacHart family. 

“The night was magical. Although difficult and definitely pulled on our heart strings, it also showcased the joy that dance brings to us all,” recalls Clarke. “On the evening of Sweet Charity, we danced not only for our team, our audience, and ourselves, but to support and make a significant difference. The show was an example of the power of dance and the arts through collaboration, community, and resilience. We came together to support a family from our community; one that has had an impact on us all in some way.”

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Waawaate Fobister Brings 'Omaagomaan' to Market Hall

Experience the artistry of Dora-award winning contemporary dance artist Waawaate Fobister with Omaagomaan at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

photo courtesy of Public Energy.

Omaagomaan, created and performed by Waawaate Fobister, is described as a multi-genre exploration of ways to stitch a fractured landscape back together through the effects of mercury poisoning and clearcutting. The show is presented by Public Energy Performing Arts, and is set to take audiences on a journey of dance, storytelling, spectacle, surprise and a unique blend of original soundscapes and musical composition supported by a seasoned group of artists and designers.

Fobister embodies Omaagomaan, a two-spirit being, and a manifestation of the earth and man-made poisons that have seeped into the earth’s crust. A shape-shifter inspired by Anishinaabe cosmology, Omaagomaan forces audiences to reckon with the ways the maanaadizi (ugly) and the onizhishi (beautiful) collide.

First performed in 2019, Omaagomaan has now been remounted following the pandemic shutdown, beginning with performances in Munich, Germany, in Nov. and coming to Peterborough in Feb.

photo courtesy of Public Energy.

Waawaate Fobister is a proud Anishnaaben artist from Grassy Narrows First Nation. Waawaate trained and studied Theatre Arts Performance at Humber College, Indigenous Dance at Banff Centre for the Arts, Summer School Intensives at Toronto Dance Theatre, Intensives at Centre for Indigenous Theatre and Kahawi Dance Theatre.

The dancer currently resides in Shoal Lake, and most recently organized the establishment of Canada’s first ever 2SLGBTQ+ Council for an Indigenous governing body at Grand Council Treaty #3.

Tickets for Waawaate’s performance of Omaagomaan are pay-what-you-can between $5 and $30. For more information visit the Public Energy Performing Arts website.

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Local Dance Champion Has Fundraiser Set Up To Perform at Disneyland

It is an opportunity of a lifetime for 17-year-old Rhiannon King as her family set up a GoFundMe to send her to Disneyland in Anaheim, Ca. to dance with the Lightning Elite Disney Performance Team.

Melissa King (left), Rhiannon King (middle) and Jason King (right) gazing at Rhiannon’s first-place medals and scholarship certificates after winning the senior solos at Star Beat Dance Champions in Niagara Falls. Melissa is a paraplegic and Jason is blind. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

King received the opportunity after she placed first at the Star Beat Dance Champions in Niagara Falls in the senior solo division on the May 12-15 weekend. The win also earned her a $1,000 scholarship toward the trip to California.

"I was so shocked," said King. "I was crying, I started jumping up and down and my teammates were really happy for me too.”

The GoFundMe is requesting $7,000 which pays for the flight, insurance, dance equipment and food. It was set up on May 15 shortly after King had received the opportunity.

The seven-day trip allows King the chance to meet with top industry professionals and work with dancers around the world according to the King family.

"It's her foot in the door," said Jason King, Rhiannon's father. "For many dancers, they don't those opportunities and the fact that this opportunity has come virtually at the end of her novice career per se, it's a dream come true for everyone."

Rhiannon has been dancing since she was three and danced competitively roughly when she was six. She has danced in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, musical theatre, tap and more throughout her life.

She has aspirations to attend York University for dance. Rhiannon wants to make dance her career by performing in her mid-20s and eventually opening a dance studio.

"I'm really proud of her for what she's accomplished and I know she'll succeed with whatever she decides to do,” said Melissa King, Rhiannon’s mother. “She has a natural talent for dancing I noticed that (in) the first year."

To donate to Rhiannon’s GoFundMe, click here.

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TAS Dance Program Hosting Huge Community Event Thursday, 11 Local Dance Organizations Participating

The TAS Dance Program is hosting a huge community charity event this Thursday evening (January 31st) at 7 p.m. in the TAS auditorium.

Eleven local dance studios, schools and organizations are coming together to perform. Each group chose a charity and they are donating all proceeds from the door between these charities.

Photo by Sara Connelly

The show includes more than 200 dance students from the community. Participating dance studios include…

-> A. Frost Dance Experience (Charity: Make A Wish Foundation)
-> Imagine Studios (Charity: Parkinson Canada)
-> Jubilation Studios (Charity: Alzheimer Society)
-> Kenner Dance Team (Charity: Teachers For Kids)
-> LCS Dance Company (Charity: Because I’m A Girl Campaign)
-> Move N’ Groove Dance Studio (Charity: Diabetes Association)
-> Peterborough PAC Dance Studio (Charity: Lakefield Animal Welfare Society)
-> Premiere Studio of Dance (Charity: Hospice Peterborough)
-> Revolutions Dance Studio (Charity: Sick Kids Hospital)
-> St. Peter’s Dance Team (Charity: Yes Shelter)
-> Thomas A. Stewart Dance Program (Charity: PRHC Mombassadors Campaign)

Tickets are $10 at the door for the show, which takes place in the TAS auditorium. 11 local dance organizations. 11 charities. 1 night.

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Art For Awareness Presents One Earth At Rotary Park

The well known local theatre group Art for Awareness is presenting One Earth on July 13th and 14th at Rotary Park, with both youth dancers and professional dancers participating in this exciting new production.

One Earth is an outdoor presentation of dance, music, storytelling and visual art inspired by the elements of Earth, Air, Fire & Water. The choreography is by Rachel Bemrose, Sierra Richardson, Kelsi Blashko, Oliver Moriarty and Eryn Masterson, with original music and visual art by Blake Richardson.

"We are excited to provide young professionals a chance to exhibit their work while at the same time offering a high-level technical dance intensive and performance opportunity for young dancers in Peterborough," say Artistic Directors Rachel Bemrose and Blake Richardson.

"Art for Awareness believes in mentoring the choreographers of the future and at the same time providing high-level training for dancers here in the city. The show itself hopes to bring awareness to our natural environment while using artistic mediums to demonstrate the importance and beauty of the ONE EARTH we all share."

There is an art show & workshops at 6 pm on Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th, followed by dance performances at 7 pm. They are at Rotary Park (near the London St. Bridge), and the rain date is Sunday, July 15th at 2 pm. They suggested donation is $5 or pay what you can.

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Premiere Studio of Dance Takes Home Top Dance Honours

At the Bedazzled Dance Championships held at Showplace last weekend, Premiere Studio of Dance managed to win top honours in both the solo/duet/trio categories and group section.

This is the first time the studio has won this competition—with over 675 routines taking the stage. 

Special congratulations goes out to Madison Sheward for winning the top solo with her contemporary routine "Uninhabited Light." The senior dancers also won top group with the routine "Misery" choreographed by Meaghan Sheppard (which also took home an award for top choreography of the entire competition). 

Overall, the weekend was a great success. These routines and more will be taking the stage at Showplace in the Shine Dance Competition taking place April 14th to 17th. Admission is free. Come out and support some amazing local talent!

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Learn more about Premiere Dance on their Facebook page or website.

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