“Act II” is premiering at Night/Shift and co-presented with Fall for Dance North
MDP’s new work Act II, choreographed by Jarkko Mandelin will be premiering at Night/Shift in October!
Night Shift is an exciting annual series produced by Citadel + Compagnie and co-presented with Fall for Dance North, celebrating the many dance forms explored and practiced by Ontario-based movement makers. 2023 edition features 3 distinct programmes with 9 unique performances, accessed through a global livestream event.
(Information gathered from Fall For Dance North and Citadel + Compagnie's website)
SATURDAY Oct 7
Livestream premieres at 10:00 PM ET
Unlimited access continues until Oct 15
In-person seating is limited – check back on September 6 to purchase your tickets!
We are honoured to announce that we are part of 8-Count by Fall For Dance North (2023)
8-COUNT will premiere with two live screenings followed by an artist chat with select creators, on Wednesday Sep 27 at 7:30 PM at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema and Thursday Sep 28 at 7:30 PM at Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre at York University.
(Information gathered from Fall For Dance North's website)
“In between, nothing” - Choreographed by MDP
Supported by the Ontario Arts Council, MillO Dance Projects has completed Phase 1 of the research/creation for 'In between, nothing' (working title), a new contemporary duet choreographed and performed by Mio Sakamoto and Geanderson Mello, with guidance from Irma Villafuerte, mentor/dramaturg. Through this work, we aim to highlight and celebrate the resilience and strength that emerge after challenging events in life.
“How We Are Together” - Choreographed by Susie Burpee
Supported by Toronto Arts Council, we are in process of a new contemporary duet “How We Are Together”. Choreographed by Susie Burpee in collaboration with Diana Tso as an outside eye, this work merges dance and theatre, harnessing the relationship between Mio and Geanderson as the source of choreography. This project was initiated by Geanderson Mello in order to delve deeper into his curiosity about interweaving theatre into dance.
(Photo by Alli Carry)
“Act II” - Choreographed by Jarkko Mandelin
For the past 2 years, we have been creating works that are inspired by the familial connection between the two of us. Supported by the Toronto Arts Council, we have embarked on the creation of “Act II”. Choreographed by Jarkko Mandelin in collaboration with Oskari Turpeinen as assistant choreographer, and Gregory Harrison as composer, this work explores how to stay under gaze without feeling pressure to act or change our natural and own way of being.
Lucid Space, premiered on April 10th!
Lucid Space explores the power of dreams to free us from the confines imposed on us by society. The film follows a woman as she encounters misogyny and mundanity in her day-to-day life. In the mirror she sees only distortions of her true self - reflected back at her are all the labels that have been thrust upon her by others. One day, she visits a strange place in her dreams and begins to regain control of her life.
Producer: MillO Dance Projects
Concept: Geanderson Mello, Mio Sakamoto
Mentors: Kristian Fourier, Beata Rasitsan
Director: Geanderson Mello
Choreographer: Geanderson Mello in collaboration with Mio Sakamoto
Performer: Mio Sakamoto
Cinematographer & Editor: Justin Kielly
Assistant Camera: Deep Patel, Countless365
Music: Edgardo Moreno, Andreas Dahlback
Music Editor: Mathias Auffray
Costume Providers: Sierah Grant, Dana Kilodzy
Location Providers: Jonathan McMahon, Nick Sheehan
Photo Credit: Countless635
workshop
MillO Dance Projects Summer Workshop 2022 - For Emerging & Professional Dancers
We invite you to join us at MillO Dance Projects - Summer Workshop led by the amazing artist/teacher Mohammadreza Akrami. In this class, he will focus on Flying Low technique, sharing his knowledge and passion from his extensive training with David Zambrano, the founder of Flying Low and Passing Through.
“Flying Low technique focuses mainly on the dancer’s relationship with the floor. The class utilises simple movement patterns that involve breathing, speed and the release of energy throughout the body in order to activate the relationship between the centre and the joints, moving in and out of the ground more efficiently by maintaining a centred state. There is a focus on the skeletal structure that will help improve the dancer’s physical perception and alertness. The class includes partnering work and movement phrases, which explore the primary laws of physics: cohesion and expansion.”
Date: September 1st & 2nd, 2022
Time: 10AM - 12PM (1st class), 12:15pm - 2:15pm (2nd class)
*2 classes per day, total of 4 classes over 2 days, drop-ins available
Location: Collective Space (221 Sterling Road, Studio 5, Toronto, ON. M6P 3L4)
*Directions: Collective Space is located on the Bloor subway line. From Lansdowne subway walk west on the south side of Bloor St. Take the 2nd left on Ruttan, next left on Merchant Lane and 1st right along the warehouse building. Collective Space is located at the south east end. The door has an awning that says Raw Space. - From Collective Space website: https://www.anandam.ca/collective-space
Fees: $25/class, $80/4 classes
For more information and registration please email us at:
Call for Short Films
We are looking for completed short dance films, 5-10 min in length from emerging artists. We will be showcasing 5-7 selected films at an in-person screening event, Nightfall - Summer 2022 in August. We are looking for films that focus on dance or any movement practice. Application will be assessed by Mio Sakamoto and Geanderson Mello. A small honorarium will be given to selected films (amount may vary depending on the length of film). Deadline to apply is July 2, 2022 at 11:59pm EST. You will be notified by July 4, 2022. *Films that were created as part of school curriculums are not eligible.
Deadline to apply: July 2, 2022 at 11:59pm EST.
You will be notified by: July 4, 2022
Application From:https://forms.gle/J7FjZC5pgX18MmQF9
If your film is selected, we will ask you for the following items:
- Highest quality of your film (1080p minimum)
- Headshots of filmmaker(s) and collaborators with photo credits
- List of credits: Full names and titles/role of everyone who was involved, social media (IG & FB) handles *only if you would like us to tag you/them on our promotional materials.
- 1 still image from your film
- 2-3 sentence description of your film
Check out the featured films at the previous Nightfall events HERE.
Email info@millodanceprojects.com for any questions!
Registration Now Open!
We invite dancers of ages 13-18 to explore movement in relationship to others through awareness, physical contact, and weight sharing. Over the course of 3 days, participants will learn the foundation of Contemporary Partnering and *Kaeja Elevations (KE) technique. We will also engage in a creative process to learn how to apply these techniques in dance works. (In-formal showing at the end of the day 3, invite your family & friends!)
By playing with gravity, counter balance, and momentum, we aim to deconstruct the traditional partnering roles. Everyone will develop skills to fly and support at the end of the workshop.
“Mio and Ge are extraordinary!!! As dancers, performers and teachers of Kaeja Elevations they are exceptionally talented, gifted and understand the technique thoroughly. They are able to share it with clarity, compassion and understanding of everyone's unique physicalities. Mio has assisted me at the Stratford Festival and around the world. Both Mio and Ge are performing in my newest production.” - Allen Kaeja
Date: August 26-28, 2022
Time: August 26 & 27 - 9AM to 3:30PM, August 28 - 9AM to 4PM (Informal showing at 3PM)
Location: Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament Street Toronto, ON M4X 1P3)
Fees: Early bird - $240.00 + HST (Register by July 10th), Regular - $285.00 + HST (After July 11th)
For more info click HERE.
If you have questions, contact us at info@millodanceprojects.com
*Kaeja Elevations®, defined and created by Allen Kaeja, was developed from over three decades of refined exploration and collaboration with Karen Kaeja.
Nightfall - Spring 2022
Join MillO Dance Projects for an evening of short dance film screenings and performance!
Nightfall is a place to socialize, reconnect, and support works by emerging artists. We encourage you all to stay after the screenings to mingle with friends old and new. Snacks & drinks available at the event.
We look forward to seeing you! (This event is suited for age 19+)
Date: April 10, 2022
Time: Doors open @ 6:30pm | Screening starts @ 7pm | Doors close @ 10pm
Location: Clubhouse Toronto - 643 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9
Ticket: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/nightfall-spring-2022-tickets-309472599877
*Tickets are also available without service fee and processing fee through e-transfer. Please send e-transfer to info@millodanceprojects.com with a message "Nightfall"
*This event is fully funded by us without any support from government granting programs.
- Artists Rate: $10
- General Admission: $15
- General Admission, Group of 5: $65
- General Admission + Donation: $20
- General Admission + Donation: $30
Films that will be presented at Nightfall - Spring 2022:
To My Past, Present, and Future... by Nickeshia Garrick (guest artist)
Siwat Piedra by Irma Villafuerte (guest artist)
TERRACOTA by Collective of Scenic Exchange (Fernando Camacho) and Puntos de partida
Nepenthe by Audrianna Martin Del Campo
PRAIRIE GIRL by Galpal Productions (Corynne Bisson)
Meeting at R9 by Kaitlyn Seibold
Artist on Standby by Sadie Cahill
Lucid Space by MillO Dance Projects
Nightfall - Winter 2021
Join MillO Dance Projects for an evening of short dance film screenings!
Nightfall is a place to socialize, reconnect, and support works by emerging artists. We encourage you all to stay after the screenings to mingle with friends old and new. Drinks are available to purchase at the bar. We look forward to seeing you!
Location: Juice - 426 Ossington Avenue
Date: Sunday December 12
Time: Doors open at 5pm, Screening starts at 6pm
Tickets: https://millonightfall.eventbrite.ca
The films that will be presented at the Nightfall 2021:
between sun and sand by Karen & Allen Kaeja (special guests)
Uneasy by Karen Kaeja (special guest)
WIRES by Rumi Jeraj
The Things We Say by MillO Dance Projects
*Proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and proof of identification is required at the door.
Call for Short Films
We are looking for completed short films, 5-10min in length from emerging artists. We will be showcasing five selected films at an in-person event in early December. We are looking for films that focus on dance or any movement practice. Application will be assessed by Mio Sakamoto and Geanderson Mello. A small honorarium will be given to selected artists.
We want our platform to be a place for emerging artists to present their work and we also really miss safely socializing with all of you!
Deadline to apply: November 17, 2021 at 11:59pm EST.
You will be notified by: November 20, 2021 at 11:59pm EST.
Application From: https://forms.gle/U8VKfcJEJdTGv66b7
Please email millodanceprojects@gmail.com for any questions.