Press
The Dance Current, September 09
Pulse: Claire French and Julie Lebel
La Douche at International Dance Day April 09
Soundbites Poetry Festival NYC
Canada Dance Magazine Quarterly
The Dance Current, September 2009
Three Fine Solos in Beautiful Brutish Columbia
Pulse featuring Claire French and Julie Lebel
Vancouver: Sept. 18-19, 2009
by Kaija Pepper
For the full review please go here.
After intermission, French’s “Outside Out” was a perky, quirky charmer inspired by Hollywood musicals. Dancer Heather Laura Gray, in white socks and blouse, with tailored grey pants, throws herself with pluck and determination into a bit of tap, a bit of hula, a bit of jazz – it’s like she’s in a nightmare chorus line where the style keeps changing but the content is the same: it’s all showbiz, folks. Gray performs with the aplomb of a seasoned entertainer (she’s worked for Disney Cruise Lines) or a movie star – appropriately so, as Hollywood hoofers Betty Hutton and Eleanor Powell are mentioned in the program as inspirations for the choreography. “Outside Out” is poignant: the zaniness is constantly cut short in a cycle of energy and emptiness, the one state a comment on the other, adding up to a fascinating work.
Pulse: Claire French and Julie Lebel
Dates and Venue 18– 19 September 2009 | The Dance Centre (677 Davie, Vancouver)
Reviewer Kim Alison Fraser – to see full review go to http://www.reviewvancouver.org/da_pulse09.htm
Outside Out, also from French, held the most promise. Heather Laura Gray was captivating in her spotlight as a representation of the great leading ladies in the golden age of Hollywood musicals. While white ladies sport socks are a bit of an anachronism, a costume to fit the era (perhaps tap shoes and tap pants) would have helped take this piece to another level. A more refined version of this piece with all the timing and lighting kinks worked out is sure to be sheer brilliance. Gray was the standout performer of the evening, her ability to connect with the audience showcased her talent as a dancer and actor.
© 2009 Kim Alison Fraser
La Douche at International Dance Day April 09
Soundbites Poetry Festival NYC
'Poetic Moves'
Vancouver Choreographer and New York City Poet unite to perform in the 2009 SoundBites Poetry Festival, April 12th and 13th 6pm, RoyArias Theatre 300 West 43rd St. Tickets $15.
Vancouver contemporary choreographer Heather Laura Gray and NYC spoken word poet Mahogany Browne will perform at the Sound Bites Poetry Festival April 12th with an added show on the 13th at 6pm, Roy Arias Theatre 300 West 43rd St. Tickets $15.
This exciting collaboration began after Gray traveled to New York to deliver a DVD of a performancedone to Mahogany's "She". "ln 2006 I produced a 60 cast showcase of spoken word through music and dance. I found "She" on an unlabelled burnt CD from poetCD.com and instantly connected with Mahogany's content and amazing delivery not knowing the author or the title".
When Gray went to perform "She" a second time in 2007 she made sure to determine the author. From there the two communicated via email. "Trying to describe what I did was pointless; I knew I had to show Mahogany." Soon after viewing the DVD Browne commissioned Gray to collaborate on new work for The Sound Bites Festival 2009.
Both artists come from different city, countries and very different backgrounds but bond through their passion to create journeys for their audiences. "She is an artist with amazing craftsmanship and awareness" said Gray "To hear that she was moved by my work meant l succeeded in connecting to that. I look forward to putting it together now in the same room."
The SoundBites Poetry Festival returns, April 11th and 12th, with writing and performing workshops (sponsored by Poets and Writers) with an Off Broadway Showcaseand a $1000 Team Slam. The team slam will be a 4 round event for 4-5 person teams. This slam will only host 12 teams. For more information goto www.soundbitesnyc.com.
Mahogany Browne is a nationally renowned performance poet, author, editor, freelance journalist, entrepreneur, and among other highly prestigious positions, the host and curator of the world-renown Nuyorican Poets' Cafe in Manhattan. http://www.myspace.com/MahoganyLBrowne
Heather Laura Gray is a professional contemporary dancer, choreographer, actor, musical theatre performer as well as producer. She currently resides in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Please go to www.urbanflowproductions.com for more information.
For tickets please go to http://www.soundbitesnvc.com/registration.html
Amber Funk Barton’s RISK
Vancouver Magazine 2008
Canada Dance Magazine Quarterly
Pieces of Heather Laura Gray
International Dance Day 07
Injected 06
Review by Rice Paper Magazine
Injected
with 1LUV
Angelica LeMinh, February-25 2006
Thursday, February 23rd, 2006 was a proud night for live action Vancouver soul.
Injected, an original dance and spoken word production marked the return of Ms. Kelly Konno, a hometown girl who has accomplished amazing dancing feats with the likes of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. She now splits her time between LA and Vancouver, and she dabbles in her newest passion of acting for the show. She does return to her dance roots though, opening the show solo to Saul Williams’ piece “Talk To Strangers”.
Injected was a high paced and professional foray into the diverse styles of dance set to varying degrees of props and audio visual backgrounds. The aural element showcased some of the most prolific artists in spoken word from The Asian American Youth Ensemble and Canadian artists ranging from Mystic to K’naan and Leonard Cohen.
There was a polished air of professionalism to the fast and furious 22 act set (in an hour and a half) and none of the hard work from the dancers, producers, choreographers and sound/lighting crew was missed.
The diversity of the dancers and interpretations of the pieces was phenomenal, and hometown spoken word hero N’didi Cascade closed out the show. Also, it was awesome to see some of Harbour Centre’s finest; Jojo Zolina, Celine Amurao, and Stewart Iguidez have a stage to strut their stuff on. In case you don’t know the names, they are the flyest bboys and bgirls that you can shake a stick at in the clubs.
Copyright © 2010 Urbanflow Productions