Drop In Dance Classes
April - May 2024
Monday nights in May
7:00-8:30pm
Next Class Monday, May 6th
Alie’s drop-in dance classes are continuing until the end of May! These classes are for people of all ages and experience levels who would like to move their bodies in a stress-free environment. Every week, there’s a brush up of basic ballet and jazz technique, an opportunity to play with dance-based improv, and a new piece of choreography to learn. These classes are also a great way to meet others in the community, and get to create in the beautiful St. John’s main space.
To preregister, or if you have any questions, email Alie at alierutty@gmail.com.
288 Humberside Ave (St. John’s West Anglican, north of High Park Station)
$20 per class (payable by cash or etransfer)
ABOUT ALIE:
Alie Rutty (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist and performer from the west end of Toronto, and a lifelong member of St. John's. With a degree in photography from Toronto Metropolitan University and a background in musical theatre, she creates work that is often experimental, genre-blending, collaborative, and joyful. Most recently, she performed and produced “Your Friendly Neighbourhood Follies” - an immersive dance piece that brought the style of old Hollywood musicals to Woodbine Park. Past projects include: “Theatre Troupe” - a longform experiment in which 10 people created a theatre piece while improvising in character; “The Allegory of the Basement” - a stop motion animated film about the ritualistic act of rewatching movies. Alie has a passion for bringing people together through the arts, and loves to involve those who would not normally be invited to participate. Last spring, she facilitated a series of workshops in improv, dance, and art/religion at St. John’s to share her eclectic practice with her community.
For more info about Alie, visit alierutty.ca
Any questions? Email Alie at alierutty@gmail.com
Click on photo to go to the photo gallery
IMPROV DANCE JAM
Saturday, May 11th from 3 - 5pm
An afternoon of collaboration, movement, and abstract creation – with improvised music led by Bitters! Come as you are, join as you like. St. John's will be used as a blank canvas as we spontaneously create together. There will be props, paper, and pens to use as you like throughout the event. Open to all ages and abilities!
This event will be co-facilitated by Alie Rutty and Bri Clarke.
To RSVP, and for more info, email Alie at alierutty@gmail.com.
St. John’s has a long tradition of supporting Four Villages Community Health Centre with food donations. We collect non-perishable food items, and some long-lasting perishable items (e.g. apples; potatoes), every week for their emergency food cupboard. If you are able, we encourage you to bring an item or two when you attend these events.
$15 admission (payable by cash or etransfer)
About the facilitators:
Alie Rutty (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist and performer from the west end of Toronto. With a degree in photography from Toronto Metropolitan University and a background in musical theatre, she creates work that is often experimental, genre-blending, collaborative, and joyful. Most recently, she performed and produced “Your Friendly Neighbourhood Follies” - an immersive dance piece that brought the style of old Hollywood musicals to Woodbine Park. Past projects include: “Theatre Troupe” - a longform experiment in which 10 people created a theatre piece while improvising in character; “The Allegory of the Basement” - a stop motion animated film about the ritualistic act of rewatching movies. Alie has a passion for bringing people together through the arts, and loves to involve those who would not normally be invited to participate. In the spring, she facilitated a series of workshops in improv, dance, and art/religion at St. John’s to share her eclectic practice with her community. Currently, she is running drop-in community dance classes on Monday nights at St. John’s. The aim is to create an open and safe space for people of all ages and skill levels to try something new.
Alie is thrilled to be co-hosting this improv jam with the brilliant Bri Clarke in such a vibrant space, and cannot wait to see what is created collectively. To learn more about Alie, check out alierutty.ca.
Bri Clarke (she/her) is a performer, producer, movement teacher, choreographer, and dramaturg, based in Tkarón:to. She identifies as a pansexual, cis-gendered female. She is drawn to works where using improvisational techniques helps the audience to arrive with the performers at some version of a product. As a vessel, she has performed in works by Kristen Carcone, Hanna Kiel, Hassan El-Amin, Alyssa Martin, Alysa Pires and the Merce Cunningham Trust. She continues to be a freelance artist for multiple dance/theatre collectives. Recently, she produced and performed in “Dinner is Served”, an immersive experience presented by TOES FOR DANCE. She is also the Artistic Associate for NEAR&FAR Projects, after a 6-year relationship with the company as a performer.
Other recent credits include: Dramaturg for The Garage, Artistic Intern at The Performing Arts Project, Summer Faculty for Dance Arts Institute, “WOODS” (Clarice Lima/The Bentway), “ORACLE” (Guelph Dance Film Festival), “A Grimm Night" (Transcen|Dance Project), and “Phantasmagoria” (Toronto Fringe Festival). She enjoys hosting “(Art)versations Podcast” where other artists can speak about their creative endeavours.Bri has facilitated multiple improv jam sessions throughout the city and is thrilled to be joining forces with Alie for this jam! More about her practice: www.briclarke.ca