Performance for Ice Gate

On the day

2010-02-12T09:52:00.001-08:00

Sunshine Coast dancers arrived en masse at ICE GATE about 3 pm. We rounded opposite corners at the same time.

All dispersed, wandering the OZone before the final rehearsal.

The press arrived on site: Discovery Network, French-language CBC-TV; Coast Cable, Coast Reporter,

photographers from The Vancouver Sun and Province, a contingent from the network that feeds footage to the international press.

Crowds gathered. The painting began to glow against the dusk. You could hear exclamations from people as they first had a glance at the colors.

As darkenss fell, Ted Townsend gave the signal that everything was ready.

Gerardo turned the music on, and . . .

As the dance ended, Gord was held up by the dancers and carried aloft the crowd amidst cheering & applause.

When things settled down, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie made the introductions.

Gord was clearly moved by the outburst, and thanked his friends on the Sunshine Coast, the dancers especially.

After the ribbon cutting, the crowd mingled - we saw lots of familiar faces; friends & family who had come to celebrate.

Inniskillin hosted wine tasting across the laneway.

Photographers contributing today: Les Bazo, Bill Forst, Caitlin Hicks, Lennea, David Phillips, Traci Stefanucci - thank you!

Check out The Vancouver Sun, February 12th, page A-17 for a large photo of Performance for Ice Gate!

2010-02-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

Shelley;

Thanks to you, Gordon, Caitlin, your choreographers and all the members of Performance for Ice Gate who contributed to a fine conclusion of the finale of the Olympic Torch Community Celebration in Sechelt yesterday. All the reviews I’ve heard have been very positive, and I think we did ourselves proud on the Sunshine Coast.

All the best on the 9th!

Hammy

Performance for Ice Gate @ Sechelt Torch Relay

2010-02-05T12:26:00.000-08:00

From Richmond -- what a thrill to see a few seconds of CTV coverage on the evening news. The crowds were huge. The torch was lit.

Introduction of the dance. Our dancers were the finale act of the official celebrations.

Sechelt Torch Relay - we danced!

2010-02-04T18:38:00.001-08:00

Shelley Harrison Rae sent this photo.

Sechelt Torch Relay - tomorrow!

2010-02-03T11:00:00.001-08:00

A note from Shelley Harrison-Rae:

"Hello Dancers,

This is it folks! It is really happening!

I attended a meeting today with a representative from the Olympic Torch organizers and it was determined that:

the celebration begins at 9 am
the torch will arrive just after 10am
our performance is at the end (around 11:30am)
the torch will leave the podium shortly after our dance

Check-in at Seaside Center @ 10 AM"

Break a leg!

Last rehearsal before Torch Relay

2010-02-02T14:13:00.001-08:00

The invitation.

The dance.

Looking good! Thursday, the torch comes through Sechelt - and we'll be there!

Tomorrow first public performance

2010-01-30T12:35:00.000-08:00

At Sunnycrest Mall @ 1 PM

Break a leg!

Red mitten news!

2010-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

Shelley Harrison Rae speaks:

Hello Dancers!!! I am happy to tell you that Connie Jordison, District of Sechelt, has confirmed that she can provide the Olympic Red mittens for each of us....

One condition though - ONLY THOSE WHO CAN ATTEND THE SECHELT TORCH RELAY EVENT ON FEBRUARY 4 WILL RECEIVE THE SOUVENIR MITTENS (because Sechelt is providing them for us, Connie cannot promise any for dancers who will only be performing in Richmond).

15 DAYS TO GO

2010-01-25T15:15:00.000-08:00

Last week, Coast Reporter Arts writer Jan de Grasse visited rehearsal. Everyone - and some new faces showed up in force.

Gerardo has been behind the scenes, ordering up buses, making arrangements for lighting on the site.

January 31st - Dress rehearsal at 1 PM at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons

February 4th - Sechelt Torch Relay (we dance!)

February 7th - Seaside Center, 1 PM, last rehearsal before opening in Richmond

February 9th - Richmond City Hall, ICE GATE opens with our dance!

Shelley Harrison Rae photos.

We're back - and dancing!

2010-01-12T11:55:00.001-08:00

Sunday was our first rehearsal after the December holiday break. Dancers worked on a new ending. Maggie reported that it went really well.

"Congratulations to all involved! It’s such a terrific community event and inclusive of all ages, skills, styles and energy levels !! I’m looking forward to the final impromptu performance." - Linda Williams

On January 31st, PERFORMANCE FOR ICE GATE will take place at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons - to give the public a chance to experience the dance, and the dancers an opportunity to strut their stuff in public - before the Torch Relay. Tell your friends and family!

Photos by Linda Williams.

In your words, more

2009-12-06T18:24:00.001-08:00

The journey in being a part of this fantastic ice dance group has given me a real sense of connection to both Gordon Halloran's project and the 2010 Olympics, along with enormous pride for my beautiful province! Wendy Hansen

exciting to see how it is all coming together/chaos evolving into syncopation. wonderful to have such a cross section of the community (men women and children) joining together to dance...even those of us who have never danced before - Shelley Harrison Rae

My kiddies and I have really enjoyed being part of this whole experience, and we thank you for that. I love how this opportunity to bring friends, families and communtity together in a collaboration like this is very much what the Sunshine Coast is all about. I was just commenting to Maggie today that I can't wait to see Gordon's ice painting in person! -Rosalind Hansen

The big thing for me has been the mix of people, all enjoying dance in different ways, and the hospitable / welcoming atmosphere. The experience also means that there are now 20/30 people on the Coast who I'd otherwise never know, and who I will enjoy bumping into or just passing by and smiling. Learning to dance is not easy, but the difficulties actually help to form supportive friendships --- if we were all good dancers, there'd be no need to reach out or offer a smile! -David Kipling, Gibsons

The process so far has given me such joy! Working with such an amazing team, Gord, Caitlyn, Shelley, Brittany, Gerardo, Jean-Pierre and all of the fabulous dancers, thankyou for this truly uplifting experience. Next time we meet we will kick it up a notch! -Maggie

SEND YOUR COMMENTS and I'll publish them here. Also if you have a great photo, email me @ paintingsbelowzero@dccnet.com and I'll post your photo.

We hosted the AGM for the Ice Painting Project Society last night in Roberts Creek. Fish Tacos, chilequiles, Schmirler Toss, chocolate truffles, crab quiche, artichoke dip . . . and too much laughing! We are looking for members of the society, especially if you liked the event - join the society to help bring more of these arts-experiences to our community. Here's the group:

In your words

2009-12-03T22:51:00.001-08:00

It's simply FUN!!!
Toni

Toni Stevens Ph.D., R.Psych.
Clinical Psychologist

In the midst of our beautiful summer after bashing the ball around on the courts Gordon's dream was presented to a few of us at the Black Fish Pub. WOW the Olympics so far away Feb 2010!? It stuck in my head and today with 60 familiar faces, we were doing it.

Bringing pride in our community and creating an event that will last in our hearts forever. What a beautiful gift and an honor to take part in.

The Sunshine Coast is a very special place to live and in a few months the world will know why.... We are a community! Individuals are celebrated and have freedom to be who and what they are and when brought together a rhythm like that of a heart, thriving strong powerful. There is no place like the Sunshine Coast.

Perhaps a little over the top but I mean every word.

Lindsay Hatloe

I look forward to the ICE GATE dance sessions every Sunday. There is a great feeling of community, creativity and spirit. I am not a dancer and only joined up (with my daughter) for the fun and excitment of it all. I LOVE every moment of it. And this is just the rehearsals, I can hardly wait for the real thing. It is experiences like this that make everlasting memories of which we will talk about for many years. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity.

Sherryl Latimer 

Thanks for motivating me to put some of my experiences into words. I really am grateful to the choreographers for working with us. They have all been fantastic.

I've enjoyed every moment of our Ice Gate rehearsals. We've done warm-ups and improvs together and opened ourselves up to new experiences. We've watched each other get better and better at the dances. Most of all it makes me very happy to learn that I can trust so many people in my community to come together to create something new that would not exist without all of us, and I am a part of it - yeah!

Cheers,    Kathleen Vance,
PhD Communication Department 
British Columbia Institute of Technology 

More comments and photos to come. And if you haven't chimed in about your experiences here, please do so! Contact me at paintingsbelowzero@dccnet.com If you have a photo, send that too. I'll try to post as many as I can!

Last rehearsal for 2009

2009-11-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

Most of the birds have flown south; all the leaves sprinkled on the soaking ground. The day was going to be short, dark at 4 pm. Another Sunday afternoon, late fall. We headed up the The Seaside Center to have a look at the final rehearsal for 2009.

The positive energy in the room was contagious – Maggie called everyone to attention; Gerardo pushed the button on the small portable sound system with his white glove. The dance unfolded in different sections of the room.

I’d seen the dance before, was familiar with the steps, heard the music, recognized the faces – but when the music began and the dance unfolded before me, I was overwhelmed.

Gord perched on the steps overlooking the room, his director-mind taking notes

Especially wonderful were the moments when each piece of choreography came crisply to focus – when everyone was in sync.

The ending was like a breath – the whole group - everyone connected and moving in unison – very powerful.

Susan Brinton stood at the window in the back, getting it all down on tape for COAST CABLE TV

And then she interviewed all the choreographers.

I'd love to hear your comments on the experience so far. If you have photos taken by family or friends, please send to me at paintingsbelowzero@dccnet.com, I'll post them here with your comments.

All together, now!

2009-11-08T17:36:00.001-08:00

This afternoon The Seaside Centre buzzed with rhythm and dance.

Duane had us pose for his bid for Ellen De Generes show. Mime & African dance upstairs, Hip Hop and Contemporary, down. Music on top of each other.

Too much Fun!

Sign up as a follower! See you next Sunday at the Sechelt Legion!

Mime!

2009-11-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

An enthusiastic group of MIME dancers met last Sunday with Gerardo Avila from 1 - 3 pm for a first rehearsal. How does he make it look so . . . crisp? So exact? So easy?

This coming Sunday, November 8th, the entire group will gather for the first time to string all the dance pieces together and dance the entire 5 minutes. Gord will be there at the Seaside Center @ 1 pm to see the dance-in-progress. Duane managed to upload the music for dancers who wanted a copy - but we had to remove it because we weren't licensed to allow free downloading from the internet. Thank you, Duane!

If you've had any experience dancing, we you could still learn the steps - and perfect them in time to dance the dance. Contact Shelley Harrison Rae (604) 989-0089 if you still want to participate!

Photos by Shelley Harrison-Rae

Hip Hop!

2009-10-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

First Hip Hop rehearsal with Brittany Robertson, October 25th.

This coming Sunday Gerardo's MIME group will have their first rehearsal, while Maggie's group does a brush-up rehearsal upstairs.

On November 8th at 1 PM, everybody - dancers from all four groups - will dance the complete dance as we put all the choreography together. Duane Burnett may be by to film his bid to be on the Ellen De Generes show - as the Olympic stringer on the west coast. And, we've had interest from the Cable TV station for a behind-the-scenes look at Performance for Ice Gate. Top photo, Duane Burnett, others, courtesy of Shelley Harrison Rae.

Maggie's Group rehearsal - fun!

2009-10-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday's rehearsal was a big thrill for me,

Maggie reported

I was blown away about how beautiful it was, and after 8 run throughs, I was able to sit out for the last one, my heart was busting with joy, i am so lucky to work with such an amazing group.

NEXT WEEK IS BRITTANY'S first Hip Hop rehearsal. SUNDAY @ 1 PM at The Seaside Center, with a brush up session for Jean Pierre Makosso's dancers. I think the plan is: Jean Pierre's group will warm up upstairs and once they're confident, they will dance their segment for Brittany's group. And then Brittany's group will show the new steps they've just learned.

CHANGE OF VENUE & rehearsal time for November 15th: It's now at The Legion for 4pm-6pm. This is an 'all hands on deck' rehearsal - everyone should be there as we'll be putting the entire dance together.

115 days left until the Olympics. Check out the Ice Gate structure going up at Allan May's: www.theicegate.blogspot.com

Jean Pierre's choreography

2009-10-18T18:22:00.001-07:00

Last week we gathered in that bright Seaside Center and Jean Pierre put us through our paces with his 55 seconds of choreography - and somehow managed to show us the entire five minutes of dance. It's going to be really exciting!

As in Africa, we will dance in three groups: the children in the front, the women in the middle and the men at the back. Here we are doing the melting and freezing - the one element that all the dancers will do.

This is all of us - the photo made it into the Coast Reporter this week! Pass the word: we're still looking for more dancers for the Mime Dance section.

1st group rehearsal

2009-10-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

We had our first rehearsal last Sunday, gathering in Frank West Hall in Gibsons.

Five minutes of music has more or less been chosen and strung together, and the choreographers meet weekly to begin their process.

At Frank West Hall, we signed up some new dancers.

Jean Pierre opened up all our hearts with his warm and vibrant opening dance.

and Maggie expertly moved us all through the exploration and suddenly the freezing and melting gestures - which is the heart of our performance - - appeared.

Brittany and Gerardo gave us physical language for the gestures we were going to have to do -- in unison.

We watched as the first steps of the dance began to take shape.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER:

OCTOBER 11 AFRICAN DANCE GROUP ONLY at Seaside Centre, Sechelt -with Jean Pierre

OCTOBER 18 CONTEMPORARY GROUP ONLY at Seaside Centre, Sechelt - with Maggie

OCTOBER 25 HIP HOP GROUP ONLY at Seaside Centre, Sechlet - with Brittany

2nd Audition

2009-10-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

2nd Call for Participation for Performance for Ice Gate at the Seaside Center in Sechelt.

A glorious day with tons of sunshine.

Jean Pierre Makosso opened the audition with a rousing five minutes of new choreography and that great African music for the hot sun outside.

I tried my best with the camera, but ran out of juice after Maggie’s dance.

Gerardo got the most laughs and Brittany the largest number of sign-ups for Hip Hop. We added 41 dancers!

Thanks to The Coast Reporter for getting the word out.

Still, we need more for African Dance and Mime Dance – and we need guys. Where are those strong guys from the volunteer fire departments?

The RCMP? The municipal teams? Real Estate? The Band? Local shops? Where are our teams from IGA and Wheatberries?

Duane put his camera down to dance and I got a few shots from his when mine ran out.

These are the faces of our community!

Audition!

2009-10-08T16:10:00.001-07:00

Saturday, September 12th. Gibsons.

A large rehearsal hall at St. Mary's church. Sun outside like summer, but it’s fall and there’s promise in the middle of this hot day. We’ve gathered to see and be seen at The Call for Participation: Performance for Ice Gate.

Duane shows up, tall, with camera and that everlasting smile.

We gather. He shoots. Maggie shows a poster of the fabulous artwork and I do a short intro (Google “T-Mobile dance, London’ to see our initial inspiration for the dance). Now it's time for the choreographers.

Jean Pierre opens the dance with his infectious grin and a great beat. We’re taking a shower and swimming, (?) and the next thing - we’re all dancing.

Then, it’s Maggi, walking us through her routine; kicks and pivot turns to Move it, Move it! ending with our arms in the air as if we had just gotten a medal.

Brittany is next, looking cutting edge in her kakhi green hat; of course her dance is Hip Hop and I can’t keep up, but by the end of this process, by February, by the time we’re a community of well-rehearsed dancers strutting our stuff for The Olympics, I will have mastered it.

Gerardo makes us giggle with the next-hottest-trend, Mime Dance. We climb a ladder, pull on a rope, end with laughter and applause. We’re hooked.

Next Sunday we’ll meet at The Seaside Center at 1 PM to meet more dancers - from our community. That means you - be there.

Follow the fun on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=121493900887&ref=ts

HERE'S THE ARTICLE IN THE COAST REPORTER THIS WEEKEND:

The Ice Painting Project Society hosted the first Call for Participation for Performance for Ice Gate, Saturday, September 12th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church auditorium in Gibsons. About twenty five members of the public attended, with more than fifteen signing up. Several took away forms to attract team and family teams, which are available at a discount. Others vowed to return with friends and recruits in tow to the next meeting: Sunday September 20th at 1 PM at Seaside Centre in Sechelt.

Four featured choreographers introduced their routines to an audience of all ages: parents, teens, youngsters and single dancers. Caitlin Hicks made a short welcome and introduction, and Jean Pierre Makosso began the demonstration with five minutes of warm-up, African dance-style. Next Maggi Guzzi danced her choreographed steps to Move it! Move it!, leading experienced and novice dancers alike in a simple, contemporary-style dance. Brittany Robertson followed with basic hip-hop moves and Gerardo Avila taught Mime Dance. Enthusiastic applause followed every segment.

Between now and the opening of The Olympic Torch Relay on February 4th, each choreographer will teach their group of dancers one short dance. All four dances will be orchestrated together into one seamless piece, punctuated by melting and freezing gestures. An opening and closing section will be performed by all participants.

Rehearsals begin in October on Sunday afternoons and continue through November, when the dance will be performed for the Sechelt Torch Relay committee. No rehearsals will be held for the month of December, with a schedule to be announced in January, 2010.

The Ice Painting Project Society is a non-profit society hosting the event, and encourages everyone -- even if you’ve never danced before -- to join the fun. Google “Ice Gate 2010 Facebook” to be connected to the Facebook page, and follow the blog at www.theicegate.blogspot.com