Vancouver – Flicker is an innovative dance piece by the Dancers of Damelahamid that combines west coast graphic design with a unique sceno-graphic hybrid of projected environments and live-action shadow dance. Vividly rich imagery represents the ‘spirit world’, the mystical realm portrayed through coastal masked dance. Just as light shimmers, Flicker represents the moments through which one can cross space and time, as the masked dancers journey in and out of the ‘spirit world’ of their ancestors.
A flicker is a woodpecker from the Northwest Coast and carries cultural significance in coastal art forms. The Flicker, as embodied in the main character in this piece, represents our duality. This dichotomy illustrates how we access our true self, one’s self without limitations, or our potential. Therefore, it is through the cloak of the flicker that one can cross space and time. The journey is a learning process by which one acquires the ability to attain their ancestral gifts and strengthens their capacity to create change.
The integration of multi-media technology in Flicker bridges artistic practices to work with new and innovative mediums, while adamantly maintaining the integrity of Dancers of Damelahamid’s artistic legacy. It is through continual and diligent practice that Indigenous dance endures as non-static and relevant to current innovation, influence, and insights. Flicker bridges the artistic practices of different Indigenous forms, including coastal dance, powwow, and contemporary Indigenous dance. Through the intersection of these artistic practices, Flicker explores the diversity of Indigenous dance and reflects the complexity of contemporary Indigenous identities.
Dancers of Damelahamid is an Aboriginal dance company that is founded upon over four decades of extensive work of song restoration. It is the current directive of the Dancers of Damelanhamid to redefine and characterize their practice in order that dance may continue to be tangible and accessible for the next generation. The company has produced the annual Coastal First Nations Dance Festival since 2008, presenting Indigenous dance from throughout the BC coast as well as hosting guest national and international artists. The company’s full length dance works to include Setting the Path 2004, Sharing the Spirit 2007, Visitors Who Never Left 2009, Dancing Our Stories 2010, Spirit and Tradition 2010, Spirit Transforming 2012, and In Abundance 2013. Dancers of Damelahamid has toured its work both nationally and internationally reaching audineces of all ages.
About The Cultch: Now in its 42nd season, The Cultch has been one of Vancouver’s most diverse and innovative arts and cultural institutions, offering dynamic programming in contemporary theatre, dance, and music by local, national, and international artists. Today, The Cultch continues to enrich the social and cultural life of Vancouver by bringing world-class cultural presentations to the public, supporting the growth of emerging artists and companies, and facilitating dialogue between groups in the Lower Mainland, especially within our local community of East Vancouver.
The Cultch is so much more than just a theatre in the physical sense – our organization is looked upon as one of the foremost performing arts presenters in the country. Widely recognized as an innovator and leader, we have played an integral role in the development of British Columbia’s artistic landscape.
WHEN: May 25 – 29, 2016
May 25, 8pm: Opening night
May 26-28: 8pm
May 29: 2pm
WHERE: HISTORIC THEATRE AT THE CULTCH
1895 Venables Street, at Victoria Drive
TICKETS: Tickets from $20! Single tickets on sale now through The Cultch’s Box Office:
604-251-1363 or tickets.thecultch.com.
