The world is so dark right now — literally and figuratively. But, a new immersive dance experience, “Collapsing The Night,” gives audience participants the chance to gently shift perspectives from the negative to the positive.
“Collapsing The Night” is the new immersive dance experience choreographed by Hamiltonian Lisa Emmons. Performed in the lush tropical greenhouse in Hamilton’s Gage Park, “Collapsing the Night” successfully melds live music, interactive projection, original choreography and audience participation to create a unique individual and collective journey to find release from the dark spaces of loneliness and fear.
It was a spark of genius to use this living museum as the stunningly beautiful backdrop for a multisensory experience. The greenhouse takes on an ethereal feeling at night, yet creates a safe haven for performers and audience members to co-mingle and share this dreamlike experience.
Audience members are free to simply observe the exceptional dance vignettes or conversely, they can choose to unleash their own creativity by moving and interacting with their performance guide. Regardless of the depth of your participation, you always share in the magic.
“Our driving force at Aeris Körper [dance company] is to use the untapped potential in movement and dance to foster profound self-awareness and deeper human connections. We hope Collapsing the Night touches every part of your physicality through movement, light, touch and even the smell from the greenhouse,” says Lisa Emmons, artistic director with Aeris Körper.
The synchronization of movement with the soothing sounds of the instrumental music of Grace No Grace merge seamlessly with the murmur of water cascading into greenhouse ponds.
Light plays off the walls, ceiling and plants simultaneously create images of Monet’s water lily garden, rain and stars in the night sky.
It’s an amazing performance unconstrained by time or speech. This mystical adventure climaxes in a cacophony of unified elation where loneliness and fear are no longer the reality.
Performances are from 7 to 8:30 pm. Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23.
Observers are encouraged to dress in black, brown or navy. Participants are encouraged to wear light, vibrant colours.
Upon arrival you will be asked to check your coat and belongings. Please leave all valuables, large bags and purses at home.
“Collapsing The Night” was made possible by the generous support of Hamilton’s enrichment fund.
For tickets click here.
Doreen Nicoll is a freelance writer, teacher, social activist and member of several community organizations working diligently to end poverty, hunger and gendered violence.
Image: Ryan Barrett and Jess Bullock/Aeris Körper/Facebook
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