Native Earth’s annual Weesageechak Begins to Dance 27 is not just about new written work, but also explores new movement pieces. Another talented artist we’re thrilled to have with us is Brian Solomon, Dora and Gemini Award nominated dancer of Métis-Anishnaabe descent.
Brian Solomon is from the Northern Ontario village Killarney-Shebanoning. He is a graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and holds a MA of performance from the Laban Center.
Solomon has presented his works (Visual Art, Theatre, Dance) across Canada, Berlin, Ingolstadt, Bamberg, Amsterdam and London.
For Weesageechak Begins to Dance, Solomon is working with Justin Many Fingers on What’s Left of Us, a new piece featured on the festival’s night of dance. “Mr. Manyfingers approached me about creating a work that would investigate our ‘deformed’ left hands,” says Solomon. “This frightened the crap out of me. So I said yes — lets get frightened together.”
“Re-shaping the cultural landscape of Turtle Island.”
As a creator, Solomon is passionate about helping people relearn the infinite possibilities of their ‘forgotten bodies’, and guiding them to take back the space those bodies occupy. Rarely present in Toronto, Solomon says bringing his work to the Weesageechak festival is about participating in the its extensive history of investment in new Indigenous works.
“There is a fantastic representation of artists from across the country. These artists are fresh, and re-shaping the cultural landscape of Turtle Island. Who doesn’t want to be apart of that?”
Solomon and co-creator, German visual artist Judy Ross, won best prize for experimental film at the Watch Out! film festival in Macedonia this past year for their film The Filmmaker. Solomon has performed for a multitude of choreographers and companies across Canada, the US and Europe. He has also taught for several arts institutions and companies, including one of Europe’s foremost universities for acting, H.F.S. Ernst Busch (Berlin).
Some bits and bobs about Brian Solomon
What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do? Study as many different forms as possible, becoming a master of at least one. Make a fire to destroy them. Mix the ashes with water and begin to paint your stories.
What is your profession’s greatest challenge today?
Relating to society, and giving back to it
Thanks Brian!
Read about fellow Dancers:
Santee Smith, Justin ManyFingers, & Starr Muranko
You can catch What’s Left of Us on Friday, Nov 21st @ 7:30pm with a Weesageechak Begins to Dance 27 Festival Pass.
More About Tickets