Archive for August, 2010

Anne Plamondon From Rubberbandance Group

Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Anne Plamondon of Rubberbandance Group

Anne Plamondon of Rubberbandance Group pictured with Victor Quijada

Anne Plamondon, co-artistic director of Rubberbandance Group, has been called a “singular dance sensation” (BerkshireFineArts.com, 8/21/09). Her education in classical dance at the National Ballet School of Canada and experience with dance groups in Canada and Europe has prepared Plamondon for an exciting career. She has performed in works of over 30 choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Paul Lightfoot, Angelin Preljocaj, Johan Inger, Stijn Celis and Itzik Galili, to name a few. Although much of her focus is with Rubberbandance Group, she also works with other groups with entirely different styles and character, displaying enormous versatility and skill. She will be featured along with Victor Quijada and 4 other dancers in Loan Sharking at the Ringling International Arts Festival.

YouTube Promo for Punto Ciego

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Check out this promotional video for Punto Ciego. An abbreviated version of this dance piece will be featured in Rubberbandance’s Loan Sharking.

Rubberbandance Group’s Loan Sharking

Friday, August 6th, 2010
An image from Loan Sharking by Rubberbandance Group

An image from Loan Sharking by Rubberbandance Group

It might not come naturally for most choreographers to combine the graceful beauty of ballet and the raw power of hip hop, but Rubberbandance Group’s (RBDG) Victor Quijada does it effortlessly. This peculiar union of classical and urban was on display recently at the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC (read a review). “The piece never pauses to catch its breath, rushing nonstop through flips and rolls, turns and lifts,” says the Times Union of Albany, NY, “as elegant and beautifully composed as classical ballet but with all the ‘wow’ factor of hip hop.”

Quijada grew up in the rap culture of Los Angeles where he studied ballet starting in high school, and he has spent his career blending the two very disparate art forms. RBDG was formed in 2002 in Montreal where Quijada had been working with the Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal. After gaining success on international levels, Quijada choreographed Loan Sharking in 2008. The piece combines elements from earlier performances to offer a wide perspective on the different styles and techniques RBDG utilizes. The result is a frenetic and exciting work of art that is a perfect fit for the Ringling International Arts Festival.

Tickets are still available for Loan Sharking by calling the box office at (941) 360-7399 or visiting the Festival site.