100 Queen’s Park 416.586.

8000
Toronto, Ontario www.rom.on.ca
M5S 2C6

Photo opportunity for the CanAsian

International Dance Festival at the ROM on
Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 11:30 am.
For details and to RSVP, please contact
Whitney Wilson at mediarsvp@rom.on.ca
NEWS RELEASE DRAFT

For more media information, interviews or images please contact:

Whitney Wilson, Communications, 416.586.8000 x5784; e-mail: mediarsvp@rom.on.ca

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month this May at

the ROM with MUSEUM DANCES: Ancient
Inspiration, Contemporary Interpretation
Two weekends of modern Asian dance performances inspired by Museum artifacts

(Toronto, Ontario – Wednesday, April 21, 2010) The

Dancer: Moving Dragon Dance Company
Photographer: Adam PW Smith
Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the Royal
Ontario Museum (ROM) and the CanAsian
International Dance Festival announce MUSEUM
DANCES – Ancient Inspiration, Contemporary
Interpretation, a series of exclusively commissioned
new Asian dance works inspired by artifacts in the
ROM’s collections, performed on May 7-9 and
May 14-16, 2010.

Curated by the CanAsian Dance Festival, the program of contemporary dance performances is part of
the Museum’s Asian Heritage Month celebrations and takes place during two weekends in May at
various locations throughout the Museum. Since May 2002, the month of May is officially dedicated as
Asian Heritage Month in Canada.

“The ICC looks at contemporary world culture in all its forms, from exhibitions to lectures and other
special events. We are delighted to collaborate with the CanAsian International Dance Festival to
present newly-created dances by some of the best contemporary choreographers, inspired by the
ROM's renowned objects and performed within the unique setting of the ROM's galleries,” said
Francisco Alvarez, Managing Director of the ICC at the ROM.

CanAsian International Dance Festival Press Release Page 1 of 4

April 21, 2010
 “It is fitting that the CanAsian International Dance Festival celebrates Asian Heritage Month with the universal
expression that is dance,” stated Denise Fujiwara, Artistic Director, CanAsian International Dance Festival. “Our
mandate is to foster and promote diverse expressions of Asian aesthetics through dance. Dance, like music, crosses
all boundaries and touches people of all cultures and all ages.”

Museum Dances – Ancient Inspiration, Contemporary Interpretation brings together dance performances with flavours
from across the Asian Diaspora, including South Korea, India, China, and Japan. Presented against the backdrop
of the ROM’s permanent galleries and spaces, the performances include:
• Korean-born dancer and choreographer Soojung Kwon presents a Korean dance inspired by artifacts
from the ROM’s Gallery of Korea performed by the JM Dance Collective with music by the Opaque
Ensemble.
• Indian contemporary dancer and choreographer Natasha Bakht with composer Alexander MacSween
present a modern Bharatanatyam (classical Indian dance form) inspired by the crystals and gems of the
ROM’s Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals performed by dancers from Sampradaya Dance
Creations.
• Vancouver-based Moving Dragon Dance Company with composer Michael Vincent present a
contemporary dance rooted in Chinese culture, drawing inspiration from the ROM’s iconic Ming
Tomb.
• Japanese-influenced, Toronto-based dance crew F.A.M.’s performance combines martial arts and break
dancing inspired by the samurai artifacts of the ROM’s Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan.

Event Summary
May 7-9, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010 at 7 pm
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2 pm
Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 2 pm
Performances by:
• Soojung Kwon with the Opaque Ensemble – Rotunda, Level 1
• Natasha Baht with Alexander MacSween – Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals, Level 2
• Moving Dragon Dance Company with Michael Vincent – Gallery of Chinese Architecture, Level 1

May 14-16, 2010

Friday, May 14, 2010 at 7 pm
Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 2 pm
Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 2 pm
Performances by:

• Soojung Kwon with the Opaque Ensemble – Rotunda, Level 1

• Natasha Baht with Alexander MacSween – Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals, Level 2
• F.A.M. – Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery, Level 1
•
CanAsian International Dance Festival Press Release Page 2 of 4
April 21, 2010
 About CanAsian International Dance Festival
The CanAsian Dance Festival fosters and promotes diverse expressions of Asian aesthetics through dance in
Canada. Through an annual festival, and artistic and professional development activities, the CanAsian Dance
Festival supports the presentation of traditional dance art forms as well as new forms that come out of traditional
dance vocabularies, and the integration of contemporary and traditional forms and concepts through the
presentation of dance concerts; supports the creation of original Canadian dance by commissioning outstanding
choreographers to create new work and by presenting that work to the Canadian public; supports the continued
professional development of choreographers and dancers through the presentation of dance concerts to the public
and through the education of choreographers and dancers through its workshops, master classes, panel discussions
and forums; aims to inform the larger dance community and the general public of the diversity of dance artistry in
Canadian society through its public performances, workshops, classes and forums. It celebrates that diversity and
promotes greater acceptance and understanding within society.
For more information, visit: www.canasiandancefestival.com

Institute for Contemporary Culture

The Institute for Contemporary Culture is the Royal Ontario Museum's window on contemporary societies
around the globe. Playing a vital role within the historical museum, the ICC examines current cultural, social
and political issues throughout the modern world in thought-provoking exhibitions of contemporary art,
architecture and design that are presented in the Roloff Beny Gallery and other galleries of the Museum. In
addition, a roster of public events such as lectures, film series, debates and performances further explore relevant
themes addressed in ICC exhibitions, and serves as a catalyst for stimulating public conversations. The ROM's
extensive collections of world cultures and natural history through the ages add context, meaning and depth to
these engaging discussions of contemporary ideas. For more information on the ICC, visit www.rom.on.ca/ icc

Other information
Admission to Museum Dances: Ancient Inspiration, Contemporary Interpretation is included in general Museum
admission. Adults: $22; Students and Seniors with ID: $19; Children (4 to 14 years): $15; Children (3 & under)
are free. To book a group of ten or more and for more information on private guided tours or group menus,
please all ROM Group Sales at 416.586.5801 or email groupsales@rom.on.ca

For more information on the dancers, interview requests or artwork, please contact Jefferson Darrell, Jefferson
Darrell & Associates (JDA), at JDA@JeffersonDarrell.com or 416.920.9839; mobile: 416.357.0234

-30 -
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Opened in 1914, Canada’s largest
museum of natural history and world cultures has six million objects in its collections and galleries showcasing art,
archaeology and natural science. The theme of enhancing access to the ROM’s collections, spaces, and content has inspired
the ROM's new fundraising priorities for 2010 in the areas of Accessibility, Digital Content, Education, Research &
Collections, Programming & Exhibits and Gallery Development. For 24-hour information in English and French,
please call 416.586.8000 or visit the ROM’s web site at www.rom.on.ca
CanAsian International Dance Festival Press Release Page 3 of 4
April 21, 2010
 ROM tickets now available online: www.rom.on.ca

Other ICC Exhibitions:

Until August 15, 2010 Dan Perjovschi: Late News Roloff Beny Gallery

May 1-30, 2010 Creative Commons, by Guillaume Cailleau Spirit House

Co-presented by ICC and the Contact Toronto Photography Festival

October 2, 2010 to El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You About Africa Roloff Beny Gallery
January 2, 2011

CanAsian International Dance Festival Press Release Page 4 of 4

April 21, 2010