Stand-up comedy – dance hybrid performer questions age and memory
In 2016, ArtSpring hosted celebrated performer, Tara Cheyenne for a summer residency to work on and create a new piece. Now she returns to the island to perform this 55-minute piece; a groundbreaking hybrid of stand-up comedy with dance presented at ArtSpring on Thursday, April 19 7:30 pm; bar 6:30 pm. A talk-back session will follow the performance.
Tara’s hybrid dance-theatre style is refreshing and poignant, exposing the audience as well as herself as human – forgetful and imperfect. I Can’t Remember the Word for I Can’t Remember is all about memory—the things we remember and the things we forget, and, as she puts it “the panic around that”.
“There’s kind of a theme in the show about women and maturity and what it means not to be a 25-year-old stick-figure dancer,” says Tara “and what it means to dance when you’re over 40: the beautiful difficulty of aging. Me being on-stage—in some ways I feel it’s a fantastic political act to be dancing at 45.”
The now 45-year-old artist has defied artistic categories with works like bAnger (performed at ArtSpring in 2009) and Highgate (performed at ArtSpring in 2014). Her new performance piece I Can’t Remember the Word for I Can’t Remember, a line gleaned from her own memory battles during the frazzle of motherhood, is a celebration of her personal and artistic achievement.
“insanely funny and imaginative genius” — Janet Smith, Georgia Straight
Based in Vancouver, Tara has been creating and performing her unique brand of hybrid dance-theatre for the past decade and is known for her expert blending of comedy, dynamic physicality, and character work. Tara has been nominated for several Jessie, and Ovation awards for her theatrical choreography and is a 2014 recipient of the Chrystal Dance Prize.
On April 18 from 5 pm – 7 pm, Tara will teach a workshop on character development for dancers, actors, musicians, writers, and closeted performers of all kinds and abilities at ArtSpring. She is also leading a workshop for the high school, supported by ArtSpring.
The performance is on Thursday, April 19, 7:30 pm | bar 6:30 pm. Proudly sponsored by Joan Farlinger, Salt Spring Coffee, and Made in BC – Dance on Tour.
