Mambo

When the founding Artistic Director of Fall for Dance North,  and of course the co-host of Mambo!, Ilter Ibrahimof  announced that he was leaving the organization after 10 glorious years, one of the most important questions that arose was: Who would take over the reins and drive the mission and vision of the festival forward? A Transition Committee was formed by FFDN’s Board of Directors and Martin Bragg & Associates was engaged to help with the international search. What emerged at the end was closer to home than anyone could have imagined. In July 2024,  Lily Sutherland, the festival’s current Executive Producer, and Robert Binet, who has had multiple roles with The National Ballet of Canada, were announced as the new co-leaders. Take in this intimate interview that we recorded with Ilter, Lily and Rob discussing FFDN’s global connections, what occurred when Ilter decided to step down, and approaches to both individual and collective styles of leadership.  Lily Sutherland and Robert Binet will officially start [https://www.ffdnorth.com/newads]their new roles with FFDN in November 2024. - The 10th anniversary season of Fall for Dance North festival runs September 26th to October 6th 2024, with both free and ticketed in-person events presented in multiple venues through downtown Toronto.  Visit ffdnorth.com for more info and to purchase tickets. This episode of Mambo was produced and designed by Amber Downie-Back, with help from Milana Glumicic.  Mambo’s original theme music and soundscape was created by Johnny Spence.

Imagine exploring gravity, cultures, and the creation of a new world - on Mars. Now imagine gathering some of the world’s best tap dancers from Canada, Japan, the United States, and Australia to go on that journey with you. What questions would you ask? Where would the rhythm of collective bodies lead? With the world premiere of  The Mars Project, Toronto based dancemaker Travis Knights has choreographed such an odyssey. He explores community, care, abundance and joy. Gravity, still in play, is in all aspects even lighter. Travis asks, “what would it be like to tap dance on Mars?”. We sat down with Travis in his home studio to discuss how exactly he will be taking us to Mars, the intersection of tap, music and aerial work, and the fabulous music that is being composed and performed live for The Mars Project.  The Mars Project by Travis Knights is performed from October 4th to 6th [https://www.ffdnorth.com/the-mars-project]at The Creative School Chrysalis. - The 10th anniversary season of Fall for Dance North festival runs September 26th to October 6th 2024, with both free and ticketed in-person events presented in multiple venues through downtown Toronto.  The Mars Project by Travis Knights is performed from October 4th to 6th  at The Creative School Chrysalis.  Visit ffdnorth.com for more info and to purchase tickets. This episode of Mambo was produced and designed by Amber Downie-Back, with help from Milana Glumicic.  Mambo’s original theme music and soundscape was created by Johnny Spence.

Based in Canada's capital city Ottawa, Propeller Dance is a leading company that celebrates Disability Pride, joy, and culture.  At the core of the company's work is the belief that dance is for all people, and as wide a breadth of expression as possible is of value. A ground-breaking moment in the Canadian dance landscape, Propeller Dance’s double-bill production ‘Waiting in the Wings No More’ will have its Toronto premiere at the 10th annual festival, combining two distinct but connected dance creations. We sat down with Propeller’s interim artistic director Amelia Rose Griffin and founding ensemble member Liz Winkelaar to discuss beginnings of the company, what ‘Waiting in the Wings No More’ reveals about the complexities of rejection and belonging, and the importance of their upcoming Toronto performances in collaboration with The Disability Collective.  Waiting in the Wings No More’ by Propeller Dance is performed from October 4th to 6th [https://www.ffdnorth.com/waiting-in-the-wings-no-more]at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Visit ffdnorth.com for more info and to purchase tickets. - The 10th anniversary season of Fall for Dance North festival runs September 26th to October 6th 2024, with both free and ticketed in-person events presented in multiple venues through downtown Toronto.  Waiting in the Wings No More by Propeller Dance is performed from October 4th to 6th at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. This episode of Mambo was produced and designed by Amber Downie-Back, with help from Milana Glumicic.  Mambo’s original theme music and soundscape was created by Johnny Spence.  Thanks for listening.

In Alyssa Martin’s new full-length creation Big Time Miss a group of funny people are forced to dissolve their clownish selves in favour of their lush emotional interiors, as they navigate the turbulence of their real lives. A multi-Dora Award winner, Alyysa is best known for her tongue-in-cheek approach to dance making. She creates stage works that demand that you not look away, despite feeling unsure of what it is you are looking at. She and her ensemble approach all that they do with high-energy mischief and deep consideration for the audiences who come to play. We sat down with Alyssa to discuss the inspirations behind Big Time Miss, history of Rock Bottom Movement and intersections of memory.  - The 10th anniversary season of Fall for Dance North festival runs September 26th to October 6th 2024, with both free and ticketed in-person events presented in multiple venues through downtown Toronto.  Big Time Miss by Alyssa Martin is performed by Rock Bottom Movement is performed from October 2nd to 5th [https://www.ffdnorth.com/big-time-miss] at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Visit ffdnorth.com for more info and to purchase tickets. - This episode of Mambo was produced and designed by Amber Downie-Back, with help from Milana Glumicic.  Mambo’s original theme music and soundscape was created by Johnny Spence. Additional music from Big Time Miss played in this episode was composed by Semiah and Jacob Vanderham.

Sir Wayne McGregor [https://waynemcgregor.com/] is a multi-award winning British choreographer and director, internationally renowned for his innovative performance works that have radically redefined dance in the modern era. For Fall for Dance North’s 10th anniversary season he brings his renowned work Autobiography to Toronto. Autobiography is dance in the ballet lineage merged with McGregor’s genetic code and AI. The 23 sections of movement representing 23 chromosomes of the human genome are fed into an algorithm based on McGregor’s DNA data, which randomly selects sections to create a new version of the work each time it’s performed. We sat down with Sir Wayne to discuss the inspirations behind Autobiography, how his dancers adapt to the way the piece evolves as it tours and where he thinks the potential of bringing advanced technology and dance together is headed.  Autobiography, versions 98 and 99, are performed by Company Wayne McGregor on October 1st and 2nd [https://www.ffdnorth.com/autobiography]at The Creative School Chrysalis. Learn more at ffdnorth.com and get tickets.  - The 10th anniversary season of Fall for Dance North festival runs September 26th to October 6th 2024, with both free and ticketed in-person events presented in multiple venues through downtown Toronto.  Autobiography, versions 98 and 99, are performed by Company Wayne McGregor on October 1st and 2nd at The Creative School Chrysalis. This episode of Mambo was produced and designed by Amber Downie Back, with help from Milana Glumicic.  Mambo’s original theme music and soundscape was created by Johnny Spence.