KNOTTED: in collaboration, responds to key mandates of Broken Rhythms Victoria Society by creating a space for local artists to be featured in Broken Rhythms productions. Under the mentorship and direction of Broken Rhythms Artistic Director Dyana Sonik-Henderson a section of KNOTTED features a guest choreographer. In the sprit of collaboration we are excited to announce that Candace Bruce will be premiering her work alongside Dyana Sonik-Henderson April 12 for KNOTTED at the McPherson Playhouse.
Candace is thrilled to be contributing a piece for the company’s newest work, Knotted. She feels honoured and appreciative to have this platform to display her work, especially as it has provided the opportunity to collaborate with her peers, whom she holds in high esteem as both artists and friends.
“Dyana’s work has inspired me for years, so having the opportunity to work on this project was very special to me. After learning from Dyana for over a decade, I’ve had the unique opportunity of growing up within the evolution of rhythmical contemporary. That time has given me a profound respect, love, and understanding of the style. As a dancer, I feel that the blending of complex rhythms and sequences that are a staple of the style leads to a grounded, intuitive, and joyful experience. Though it may take some time to grasp the intricacies of rhythmical contemporary, once it’s in your bones, it feels as natural as breathing. Our collaboration has felt effortless and symbiotic, which I strongly attribute to our shared experiences and understanding. I was able to create in a way that felt truthful and expansive to me, thanks to the complete support of Dyana and the mutual trust and respect that we shared.”
With Knotted’s main theme being about chronic/persistent pain what inspired your work in the show?
“My piece draws inspiration from my personal experience of living and dancing with pain. It is also heavily influenced by the people around me who persist in the face of it. I wanted this work to bear witness to the complexity of persistent pain and the weight of its many layers. There is a link between the culture that ignores invisible pain and the narrative that rewards pushing beyond one’s limits in an unsafe way. It is a mindset that disregards and isolates so many of us and our lived experiences. During my formative years, I felt that my perception of reality was constantly being challenged. The invalidation I experienced caused me to distrust my instincts, creating a disconnection between my mind and body that I am still uncovering.
This piece embodies the journey of acknowledging and validating one’s pain. It seeks to unravel the complex layers of perception and rebuild the connection to ourselves.”
Candace Bruce Bio
Candace Bruce (She/They) is a performer and educator based on the unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt nations. As a professional dancer, Candace has worked for companies such as Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Disney Cruise Line, and Netflix, where she gained experience working with different approaches to contemporary and commercial dance. Candace returned to her hometown of Victoria in 2020,
shortly after the pandemic halted her work internationally. Candace, who had been a student of Dyana in her childhood, was excited to reconnect with her upon returning. In December of that year, they collaborated to create “Throw Yourself like Seed” a short work that was a part of the company’s “Small Acts of Creativity” series. Ever since then, Candace has been a proud company member of Broken Rhythms and has performed in several shows including 1000 Pieces of Pi (2021, 2022), Above Me (2022), Chiaro:Scuro (2023) and will be premiering the
company’s newest work, Knotted on April 12th (2024).
SHOW INFORMATION
Premieres April 12 2024 at 7:30 PM McPherson Playhouse.
*Tickets starting at $48.25
VENUE: McPherson Playhouse (3 Centennial Square) Victoria, BC
Broken Rhythms 