Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Celebrates a Decade of Dance Innovation in Calgary
This year marks a significant milestone for Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) as the organization celebrates the 10th anniversary of its pioneering DJD Dance Centre in Calgary. To commemorate this achievement, DJD is launching a vibrant new double-bill performance titled Matters of Rhythm and Harmony, running from April 23 to May 20, 2026. The production promises to be a dynamic exploration of celebration, resistance, and the enduring power of jazz dance within the community.
A Hub of Constant Energy and Community Embrace
Artistic director Kimberley Cooper reflects on the centre's first decade with enthusiasm. "There is just so much possibility. It's so exciting how quickly the community embraced the centre as a dance hub," Cooper says. "It feels like there's a constant moving energy that is making the building dynamic and full all the time." This energy is set to translate directly to the stage through two distinct acts that delve into the roots and future of jazz dance.
Carne Vale: A Tribute to Carnival and Resistance
The first act, Carne Vale, is a new piece choreographed by longtime DJD dancer Sabrina Naz Comanescu. Inspired by history and Carnival traditions, the work aims to transport audiences to evocative settings like the bayous of New Orleans or the seaside of Trinidad. "I'm trying to transport the audience to an environment that perhaps you could find somewhere in a bayou in New Orleans or somewhere on the seaside in Trinidad," Comanescu explains.
The choreography is deeply rooted in Caribbean culture, serving as a tapestry of resistance. The piece begins with a 'farewell' and concludes with a 'hello,' culminating in a Carnival scene centered on themes of liberation and defiance. "It's very exciting to be able to take Carnival as a tool of resistance and then use it in a meaningful and reverent way," Comanescu adds.
This act also serves as a heartfelt tribute to Gerry Weekes, a colleague and pioneer of Carnival in Canada who passed away last summer. Much of the narrative draws inspiration from his legacy, highlighting the potential within jazz dance not only through movement but also through the rich characters portrayed on stage.
Between the Bandstand and the Dancefloor: Exploring Jazz Improvisation
The second piece, Between the Bandstand and the Dancefloor, is a new work choreographed by Cooper herself. This act delves into the sacred relationship between jazz dancers and musicians, incorporating high-energy movement, improvisation, and spoken word. "It's dynamic and dancey, and there are lots of short improvisational moments and a much longer improvisational moment that is completely free," Cooper describes.
Improvisation is a key element across both pieces, extending beyond the dancers and musicians to include innovative lighting design. With nine different lighting looks, the stage manager will select the most fitting ambiance for each improvised section, enhancing the spontaneous nature of the performance. "Improvisation is about freedom and is also about resistance in a way, too," Cooper notes, emphasizing the adaptive and listening skills required in jazz.
She elaborates, "When you're improvising in a jazz space, it's truly not a free-for-all, even if it is very open. You also have to learn how to turn off your brain and go with your instincts. You have to be very compassionate and very aware." The live original jazz music, composed by Carsten Reubeling and performed by an ensemble of five musicians on stage, adds another layer of depth. "The band sounds incredible, and the range of music that they play in the show is really breathtaking," Cooper praises.
Celebrating a Legacy of Dance in Calgary
This double-bill performance is more than just a show; it's a celebration of DJD's 42-year history rooted in Calgary, promoting African-rooted work with jazz music as its heartbeat. The organization has built a legacy through its space, performance company, and school, expanding the reach of dance in the community. "This culmination of 10 years as a community space that expands the reach of dance is a feat to celebrate," the article highlights.
Matters of Rhythm and Harmony aims to affirm that jazz dance can thrive in the heart of Alberta, blending ritual, reverence, romance, and revelry. As Comanescu sums it up, "There's ritual, there's reverence, there's romance, and there's revelry." The show runs from April 23 to May 10 at the DJD Dance Centre, located at 111 12th Ave. S.E. in Calgary, offering audiences a chance to experience the vibrant legacy and future of jazz dance in the city.
