The HCA Dance Theatre showcases and encourages the artistic side of the city
The Hamilton Conservatory of Arts (HCA) Dance Theatre provides a supportive space for artists, musicians and performers to show their work to the city. The HCA Dance Theatre’s mission is to showcase and add to the artistic side of the city with professional performances.
Founded in 2001 by the HCA, the HCA Dance Theatre operates as a non-profit organization showcasing dance, music, theatre and visual arts performances. Some of their most successful shows include their classical music series which later grew into the Performing Arts Sunday Series.
Vitek Wincza, the executive and artistic director of the theatre, was awarded the 2017 City of Hamilton Gallery of Distinction award for his efforts in helping the company reach its potential and status today. Wincza grew up in Poland but immigrated to Canada in 1982. He began living in Hamilton after performing here on tour as a professional dancer and realizing how engaged the city was with art.
After moving to Hamilton, he operated his own dance school for a few years before purchasing the HCA Dance Theatre.
With all the time he had on his hands during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wincza renovated the HCA building and added improvements such as better acoustics and lighting. With these additions, the place became more professionally developed, which helped the theatre put on more evolved performances and bring in more experienced artists.
Wincza explained how the theatre is different from other performing centers in Hamilton. As a multi-arts operation where everyone of all ages can participate in the experiences, it sets the theatre apart from everything else in the city.
Reception for the new and renovated theatre has been very positive, according to Wincza.
“[People] love it . . . [They] have some form of inspiration and something to look forward [to] and experience that takes [them] away from the everyday work and problems,” he said.
“[People] love it . . . [They] have some form of inspiration and something to look forward [to] and experience that takes [them] away from the everyday work and problems."
VITEK WINCZA, executive and artistic director of HCA Dance Theatre
Wincza explained how the theatre provides many opportunities for the community. For instance, it offers something different for folks to do during their free time as well as special programming for children.
“It’s important to have this opportunity [of] gaining another choice of [how to] spend time after hours. And during the day as well, we do lots of programming for the school [to] experience the day at the Conservatory with the arts,” he stated.
An exciting upcoming event is Valerie Tryon’s performance on Feb. 12. Tryon is a well-known and world-renowned respected pianist who has been working with HCA since its beginning.
Tryon will be performing for Valentine’s Day. The music selection will include various artists such as Chopin and Liszt. Tickets will be $30 for general admission and $25 for students, seniors or artists.
“[Tryon] is one of the best players in the world . . . The concert is romantic and [the music is] chosen specially for Valentine’s Day by [Tryon],” Wincza explained.
From workshops to performances, the HCA Dance Theatre can be a great place to visit to learn more about the performing arts in the city and support local artists.
By: Natalie Clark
When the quaint and beloved Westdale Theatre closed down in early 2017, residents of the Westdale community and many McMaster students were especially upset. Although fairly run down, the Westdale had been the community’s hot spot for Friday night dates, Hollywood’s must-see films and the best popcorn in town for as long as anyone could remember.
On Feb. 14, the Westdale community celebrated the long-awaited re-opening of the Westdale Theatre. Guests were told to dress in period attire for a special event accompanied by cocktails and a screening of the 1942 classic, Casablanca. The event also featured a silent auction, where guests could explore the new and improved venue while admiring local Hamilton art.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtwPnG9B6q9/
With searchlights lighting up the night sky and a red carpet gracing the floor of the doors of the theatre, the Westdale certainly dressed to impress for their grand re-opening. The 350 ticket event sold out in two weeks.
For the past 30 years, the Westdale was owned by an elderly man in Toronto. It wasn’t until he passed away that his family put the theatre up for sale, allowing new owners to claim the theatre, known as the Westdale Cinema Group.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Battr_XFwIc/
“An enormous amount of changes were made… the theatre was in terrible condition, we spent 2.5 million dollars restoring it,” mentioned Fred Fuchs, chairperson of the Westdale Cinema Group.
“Besides equipping it with state-of-the-art projection, screens, new seats, new sound, new acoustic panelling, we also had to completely redo the air conditioning and the heating, the electrical system, the roof, the bathrooms — it was a complete overhaul of the entire theatre,” said Fuchs.
About two years later, the Westdale Theatre is back open for business, and the community is thrilled. Westdale resident and Silhouette alumnus, David Simpson, had one word to describe the re-opening event, “fabulous”.
“I think that the re-opening will be great for Westdale and for McMaster too, creating a hub for the community,” said Simpson.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Brkq2vjhA1y/
Members of the Westdale community are thrilled about the re-opening of the theatre but are also admiring the other advantages that the theatre welcomes to the community.
“It’s wonderful to see it revitalized, and to see hundreds of people in the theatre is great,” said Vivian Lewis, a member of the Westdale community.
“I think that the theatre is going to bring a diversity of films to the community,” mentioned Lewis. “Right now in Hamilton we just have lots of box theatres that are showing the same thing on every screen, and so this theatre will be our chance to see more art films and more alternative films that aren’t currently available in Hamilton.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrA4RzxB7e_/
Aside from standard film movies, the Westdale Theatre will also be hosting frequent live music shows, talks, performances and other special events.
“I’m excited about the idea that it’s not just a movie theatre anymore and that it’s also performance based,” said Sue Trerise-Adamson, another Westdale resident.
“I think that is a really good idea, and it expands all the possibilities of the theatre… I think it’s a real anchor for the whole community of Westdale,” mentioned Trerise-Adamson.
Westdale locals have already begun visiting the theatre for their regular screenings and are grateful to have the theatre back in the community.
Experience the new and improved Westdale Theatre on your own and check out all available screenings and shows on their website: https://www.thewestdale.ca/now-playing/
[thesil_related_posts_sc]Related Posts[/thesil_related_posts_sc]
For many of us, technology is not simply a piece of our world but a thread that links the various aspects of our lives together. It makes up the fabric of our communication, education and entertainment. It’s no surprise that it has become a large part of art practice as well.
Centre 3 for Print and Media Arts is organizing Function Keys: A Conference on New Technology and Digital Culture which aims to celebrate both art and technology. In its fourth year, the four-day conference will take place from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11 at The Spice Factory.
The conference will consist of lectures, performances, demonstrations and workshops. Artists, academics and hackers from across Canada and the United States will be present to discuss and present emerging technological trends.
“[W]e're really interested in the acronym STEAM which is science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics…[A]s opposed to splitting them off into individual categories, [it’s about] bringing them all together and understanding how they can inform each other,” explained Ariel Bader-Shamai, an organizer for the conference.
“[W]e’re in a really technocentric world right now and our culture is very technocentric, so I think it makes sense that it would also inform art practice… [T]hey inform each other… by necessity.”
The ways in which art and technology can inform each other can be seen in the events that are scheduled for the conference, from a workshop on location-aware storytelling to a lecture on interactive textiles and two electrifying performances.
On Nov. 9 Function Keys will be putting on a performance in partnership with Strangewaves. Hamilton artist Allie Brumas and Detroit musician Onyx Ashanti will be the highlight of the night. Ashanti is the focre behind a new way of making music called beatjazz. On the night of Nov. 10, electronic music producers Dark Rooms, Orphx and Cape Esan will be performing.
Friday night of #fk4 will be curated by the lovely folks at @strangewavesfes , featuring the creator of beatjazz Onyx Ashanti (Detroit, MI) and local musical wiz, Allie Blumas! Nov 9 at the Spice Factory - event is free but advanced registration required. pic.twitter.com/xtDDBopQMF
— Function Keys (@FunctionK) 5 October 2018
In addition to these bigger names, the conference is providing space for emerging artists and those who may not have an opportunity to show their work in traditional spaces. On Nov. 9, the Mad Science Fair will carve out space for makers, hobbyists and digital media artists to showcase their creative projects.
By providing this space, the conference aims to be more approachable and accessible. The conference is also aiming to reduce financial barriers through a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Many of the events taking place will either be free or have a low cost associated with them.
“I think that when things are free, that takes away a barrier…[M]aybe it's something you've never heard of before, never attempted before but maybe you're curious about it…you're not losing anything, all you're gaining is a fun experience or a new skill,” Bader-Shamai explained.
Introducing new technology to those who are unfamiliar with it is one of the goals for the conference. The conference will pair art and technology in ways that some may not have seen before and equip attendees with new skills that they can incorporate into their creative pursuits.
However, the event can appeal to anyone interested in learning more about technology. The conference provides a rare and accessible way for anyone to gain knowledge about new and exciting happenings within the technological and art worlds.
Part 1: Nov. 10 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Part 2: Nov. 11 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Barbara Layne is the director of Studio subTela, one of the labs of the Textiles and Materiality Research Cluster at the Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology. She works with graduate students from Concordia University as well as international collaborators. Ryth Kesselring is also part of studio subTela, where she works as a research assistant on electronics and embroideries for smart textiles.Their two-day hands-on workshop will have participants design and create a small project that incorporates LEDs. The workshop will give an introduction to basic electronics, simple circuits, light-emitting fabrics, Arduino microcontrollers and more. The workshop will also address associated technical, aesthetic, artistic and design issues. No sewing or electronics knowledge is required. There is a $10 materials fee to cover the cost of the electronic components.
The Ecology of Mud, with Nicole Clouston
Nov. 10, 11–2 p.m.
Nicole Clouston is a practice-researcher currently completing her PhD in Visual Art at York University. She is also an artist in residence at the Coalesce Bio Art Lab at the University at Buffalo. Through her practice, she explores what happens when we acknowledge, through an embodied experience, our connection to a world teeming with life both around and inside us.
Her free hands-on workshop will have participants create sculptures using mud that they can take home. Participants will pick from fifteen mud samples collected around Lake Ontario, including samples from Hamilton. The mud will be placed in clear tubes with nutrients to support microbial growth and, with exposure to light and some time, participants will be able to watch the microbial life grow and form vibrant marbling across the surface.
Introduction to Location-Aware Storytelling with Tony Vieira
Nov. 10, 12-2 p.m.
Tony Vieira is a musician, composer and media artist. He has composed original music scores for television, film and interactive media and has created augmented reality and alternate reality projects that have been exhibited internationally. A senior researcher at the York University Augmented Reality Lab and Music Program tutorial instructor, he is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethnomusicology and Digital Studies.
His free workshop will have participants explore approaches and concepts related to hybrid media article, such as virtual embodiment, public private space, place-making, locative listening and more. Participants will be able to create a short audio piece that will be geo-located to a location of their choice.
Moog WerkStatt Workshop with Todd Murray
Nov. 11 2018, 9-4 p.m.
Todd Murray also goes by the name SixbySeven. He is a Hamilton resident who has been involved with art and photography for over 30 years. He is a founding member of the Studio 12 Artistic Photographers Collective. His earliest ventures into music synthesizers were in 1978, building his own analog synthesizer.
His workshop is open to anyone with an interest in creating music using a synthesizer. The morning session has a cost of $10 and includes demonstrations of different synthesizers, the synth voice, extended effects, and connectivity. An optional afternoon session allows participants to assemble their own Moog Werkstatt desktop synthesizer to take home. The cost is $350 for the afternoon session but alternative options may be available for those who cannot afford the full price.
For more information on the events, workshops and registration information visit functionkeys.ca
[thesil_related_posts_sc]Related Posts[/thesil_related_posts_sc]
