XTOD/Solo Dance Exchange

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Xtraordinary TO Dances (XTOD)

Xtraordinary TO Dances (XTOD) is a serendipitous exchange of dance making, where one dancer’s solo becomes the seed for another’s performance. It is driven by the dance artists who are performing. XTOD has been presented as a live performance score, Solo Dance Xchange, and as a film, Xtraordinary TO Dances: Moments In Reel Time.

Solo Dance Xchange

A serendipitous exchange of dance making, where one dancer's solo becomes another’s inspiration to create and perform.

Produced by Kaeja d'Dance as part of Xtraordinary TO Dances (XTOD), the Solo Dance Xchange (SDX) is a platform for 22 extraordinary Toronto dance artists to intimately expose and fertilize each other's creative process with essences of what makes them who they are. A multiplicity of generations and practices, these artists performed a 3-minute stage solo inspired by another's original improvised XTOD film footage, shot in the summer of 2017. This gateway between dance artists and their practices is a unique eye into what makes each dancer move and respond.

Solo Dance Xchange was performed live at the Guloien Theater in February 2018. The original film, directed by Allen Kaeja, all shot in various locations within Toronto, was screened before the show each evening, and Jenn Goodwin moderated a performance-ending talkback each night.

Solo Dance Xchange is conceived by Karen Kaeja. Xtraordinary TO Dances was conceived and developed by Karen & Allen Kaeja.

XTOD: Moments in Reel Time (24 minute film)

Filmed throughout Toronto, Xtraordinary TO Dances: Moments In Reel Time captures one-minute of each Xtraordinary TO Dance Artist “in their element”, at the most meaningful and inspiring location for them in the city. The viewer will gain a different perspective of the city and a glimpse into what makes each XTOD Artist Xtraordinary.

In addition, the film also acts as a platform for the Solo Dance Xchange (SDX), in which the film footage will be the inspiration for future stage performances.

Live Stream (9 minutes)

With XTOD being innovative in all aspects, Allen Kaeja opted for a rather unconventional method to launch the project. In place of a standard trailer, a short Live Stream was filmed and broadcast via Facebook Live, in a mystery TO location on Friday June 30, 2017 at 8:00pm. Viewers who tuned in caught a glimpse of each XTOD Artist “in their element”.

Xtraordinary TO Dances Concept
Allen Kaeja, Karen Kaeja

XTOD: Moments in Reel Time Director, Concept, & Executive Producer, Live Stream Director
Allen Kaeja

Solo Dance Xchange Artistic Director
Karen Kaeja

Xtraordinary TO Dance Artists
Peggy Baker, Nova Bhattacharya, Shawn Byfield, Michael Caldwell, Robert Desrosiers, Esmeralda Enrique, Jaz Fairy J, Roshanak Jaberi, Allen Kaeja, Karen Kaeja, Benjamin Kamino, Hari Krishnan, Mi Young Kim, Emily Law, Claudia Moore, Pulga Muchochoma, Roula Said, Ofilio Sinbadinho, Santee Smith, Brian Solomon, Robert Stephen, William Yong,

Xtraordinary TO Musicians (Music & Sound Design)
Eric Cadesky
Phil Strong

Artistic Advisor, Producer
Karen Kaeja

Producer
Kaeja d'Dance

Director of Photography & Camera Operator
Hernan Morris

Editor
Aria Evans

2nd Camera
Allen Kaeja

Documentary footage, 3rd camera, production assistant
Olya Glotka

Production Coordinator, Documentary Photographer
Drew Berry

Publicity, Marketing and Public Relations
Sue Edworthy Arts Planning

Supervising Producer (FibeTV1)
John Buffone

Development & Production Producer (FibeTV1)
Paul Gardner

Unit Manager (FibeTV1)
Irene Kassapidis

Marqueearts
Marc Kirschner, Simon Walker, Kathleya Afanador

Production Assistant
Paul-John Elisha

Location Assistant
Karen Morch

Johnstone & Cowling LLP
Ian Johnstone, David Cowling

Sail Boat Operator
Andy & Deb Oakes

2nd Boat Operator
Andy Oakes

CEO & Chief Strategist (Innovate by Day)
Deborah Day

Head of Production & Interactivity (Innovate by Day)
Torin Stefanson

Project Manager (Innovate by Day)
Sarah Davis

Broadcasters
Fibe TV, Bell Media, Marquee Arts

Live Stream Administrative Coordinator
Olivia Faveri

Generously Supported By
Bell Media, Toronto Arts Council Strategic Funding, Innovate By Day, Torin Stefanson, Head of Production & Interactivity, Sarah Davis, Project Manager

Solo Dance Xchange live musicians (SDXtet):
Eric Cadesky, Laurel MacDonald, Phil Strong

Xtraordinary TO Lighting Designer
Simon Rossiter

“Must-see pageant of excellence in dance...no matter what you fancy in the way of dance. You can’t be disappointed.”

Susan Walker, Reviewer Toronto

A dancer's long hair fans out behind them as they move.

A dancer crouches, holding both hands in front of their face.

A dancer sits on the floor with one leg in front of them and one behind.

A dancer extends one arm on an angle behind them.

A dancer strikes a wide-legged stance, their hair flying as they move.

Allen Kaeja throws a skateboard into the air.

An older dancer stands with bent knees and arms held at irregular angles.

A dancer moves a long piece of fabric in the air in front of them.

A dancer in a red dress with a huge skirt bends to one side, extending their arms in opposite directions.

A dancer crouches with arms extended to either side.

A dancer sits with legs splayed wide and screams.

A dancer runs beside a river, holding something that emits yellow smoke.

A dancer crouches on the branch of a large tree.

A dancer stands on one leg with an arm extended near a lake.

A dancer lays against a rock in the rushing water of a river.

A dancer strikes a wide legged stance with one arm raised.

A dancer pliers on one leg with a port des bras.

A dancer sits on a backward facing chair.

A dancer leaps in the air; only their legs can be seen.

Photos by Drew Berry, Ken Dobbs, and Norikazu Okamoto from Solo Dance Xchange in Tokyo (2019), Solo Dance Xchange in Toronto (2018), and the XTOD film (2017)