A special partnership between New Works Calgary and Springboard Performance, this evening brings together three radical interdisciplinary arts innovators: Vancouver harpist, composer, and interdisciplinary artist Elisa Thorn, alongside Calgary movement artists Alexandra Contreras and Jennifer Clarke.
Each artist brings a distinctly contemporary creative language to the stage, while sharing an appetite for experimentation, risk, and unexpected connections. The evening features an experimental song cycle by Thorn and her collaborators Nikko Whitworth and Trent Freeman, a solo dance/theatre work by Contreras, and a newly commissioned improvisational collaboration between Thorn and Clarke.
Known for her radical and contemporary approach to the harp, Thorn creates music that, as Rhythm Changes writes, “electrifies your expectations.” Clarke brings her own “adventurous spirit” and “improvisatory verve” (Georgia Straight) to a practice that moves fluidly between choreography, movement, and sound. Contreras completes the trio with a deeply human choreographic voice that explores the stories and experiences we carry in our bodies.
Together, these three radical interdisciplinary arts innovators create an evening of music, movement, and spontaneous exchange where composition meets improvisation, the personal meets the experimental, and three singular artistic voices come together to discover what can happen in the space between them.
Elisa Thorn | Theirs is the song with special guest Jennifer Clarke
Elisa Thorn is a versatile harpist, vocalist, and composer who has emerged as a sought-after figure in the Canadian creative music landscape, renowned for her distinctive and contemporary approach to the harp.
Thorn’s original compositions, weaving together elements of folk, post-rock, jazz, classical, and indie music, are driven by two primary artistic goals: to create music that balances abstraction with accessibility, and sensitivity with boldness.
An avid collaborator, she is passionate about the intersection of composed and improvised music. Versatile across genres, Thorn has contributed to recordings and performances with artists such as Tonye Aganaba, Mother Mother, Loscil, Khari McClelland, Wallgrin, Lief Hall and Mauvey.
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Alexandra Contreras | La Vieja Astronauta
Old Ester has lived a good life, especially over the last few decades. But like all lives, even her particularly long one must be nearing its end, and she gets to decide where she wants to spend the last moments. Being from here and from there leaves her no choice but to follow her crazy idea to die in outer space.
La Vieja Astronauta was born out of the ontological complexities of identity in the context of migration. It was also prompted by the unstoppable passing of time begging Alexandra Contreras to answer what’s the point of life, and what would be the best way to live it? To explore these themes, Contreras pieces together recordings of her grandmother—exploring her vantage point from ninety-some years of life. The recordings of an interview where she reflects on life and the passing of time became part of the soundscape of the piece.
Join Ester on her trip to the border between life and death. Ready for take off?
Content Advisory: This work is not suitable for young audiences, but is appropriate for mature children. For more information, please email marketing@springboardperformance.com
Credits
Click each photo to learn more about the artists
- Concept, Script, Choreography, Direction, Performance, Sound: Alexandra Contreras
- Music: Ignacio Ramos
- Photos: Lindsey Tran
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