BC on Tour - Second Stop!

Second Stop, Kitimat, BC

An interesting fact is that you can walk through security at YVR with two-dozen lemons in hand and no one will bat an eye.

We have arrived in Kitimat, which is one of the highlights on tour because of our fantastic accommodations at Minette Bay Lodge. 605 Collective stayed here on tour in 2010 and it is just as dreamy as we had remembered it. Our lovely hosts, Howard, Ruth, and their dog Frank, are making us comfortable during our stay here.

 

On Oct. 28 Josh and I taught 19 students ranging from 8 to 21 on the Mount Elizabeth stage. Their experienced ranged from first-timers to regular dance class attendees, but everyone was keen and eager to get their dance on!

Our performance at Mount Elizabeth Theatre was well attended at almost 3/4 full at 250 audience members, with a small meet and greet after the show where we spoke to some Kitimat locals, new members of the community, and young fans. One of the highlights for me was speaking to a couple from Quebec who had recently moved to Kitimat, and they expressed how grateful they were to see our performance, as they were accustomed to seeing lots of amazing dance in Quebec and were happily surprised to see contemporary performance in their new town.

We had a post-show reception at the lovely Anna-Marie Carstens' home, where we got to chat with board members and supporters, reflecting on changes in the community since 2010 when we toured here last. It is a privilege to have returned to Kitimat three years later, to see how it has changed, and for its audience to see what 605 has been up to since our last work. We hope to be back again sometime!

About the Lemons:

Source: Overwaitea

Price: Overwaitea non-organic: $0.79 each

Origin: USA

Size: PERFECT

Third Stop, Prince Rupert, BC

After a beautiful drive from Kitimat, we have arrived in Prince Rupert, comforted by the West Coast rain and familiar favorite coffee shops. It was Halloween on the day we got in, and we braved the rain to see the fireworks at the community centre. The town was out in full-force with creative costumes and smiles despite the rain that quickly turned to hail. We decided to watch the fireworks from the tour minivan, before heading back to our hotel to watch a scary movie, cozied up in Jeff's room (and dressed in Halloween attire sourced by Shay at the local Sally Anne).

On November 1, Josh and I taught three contemporary classes to students ranging from aged 7 to 17 at Prince Rupert Dance Academy. Everyone worked hard and tired their arms out, and wethank them for taking risks and going outside of their comfort zone to make new discoveries with us.

We performed at Lester Centre of the Arts on November 2, a beautiful venue where we had lots of space to stalk, attack, and throw lemons around. The show was attended by about 100 people, and at the post-show reception in the lobby, we were happy to see so many families in attendance. The general consensus was that people were very impressed by Dave's shaking scene, the climax of the lemon section.

Once again, it has been great to make a return trip to Prince Rupert after touring here in 2010. We had a great time, and owe a huge thanks to Crystal and Made-in-BC for making it possible.

About the Lemons:

Source: Safeway

Price: non-organic: $0.69 each

Origin: South Africa

Size: PERFECT

Photos by Jeff Harrison, Lisa Gelley, Heidi Quicke