Feb. 25, 2009 - Issue #697: Shout It Out Loud
Fly By Night: Come Fly with me
Firefly Theatre is happy to open its doors for Fly by Night
Beyond the impressively cute feats of the pooches, Fly By Night will also showcase the usual aerobatic derring-do of four local trapeze artists from Firefly Theatre, as well the diverse talents of many local variety artists. Spectators will see a dual performance on the aerial silks, loop and trapeze, that Artistic Director Annie Dugan describes as “the closest thing to Cirque du Soleil without paying $150 a ticket.”
That much is evident by performers like Firefly’s Lyne Gosselin, who’ll be standing high up on the trapeze, 35 feet above ground at the La Cité Francophone theatre and then be diving straight down. The spectacular aerobatics will be joined by performers like the KO Dance Project—which Dugan gleefully describes as “post modern avant-garde improvised dance”—as well as singer-songwriter Michael Rault and an illusionist and magician Sheldon Casavant.
As Dugan explains, for her Fly By Night is the perfect opportunity to showcase many of the interesting local acts she sees year-round—hence the diversity, from musicians to dogs.
“That is the greatest thing about our city,” she exclaims. “We live in a neat little pocket of the world. You can lift up a rock and find a great talent, so I keep my eyes and ears open all year long.”
However, the event is first and foremost about Firefly’s particular skills, as they are the city’s only aerial acrobats. They’re far from exclusive, though: for those that are feeling inspired by the acrobatic marvels, Firefly Theatre also has an aerial arts program that fills up for each fall, winter and spring course.
“People want to try it. There is such a romantic ideal behind it,” Dugan explains. “Being the girl or guy behind the trapeze and wrapping themselves in that thin piece of fabric.”
Dugan says that it is not easy learning the trapeze. “Oh, it’s hard,” she laughs, “but by the end of the six-week course you do choreograph your own trapeze routine.” V
Fri, Feb 27 & Sat, Feb 28 (8 pm)
Fly By Night
Presented by Firefly Theatre
Featuring Donovan Workun, Annie Dugan, Michael Rault, dogs and many more
La Cité Francophone (8627 - 91 St), $20 - $25
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