Kokoro Dance facts for kids

Kokoro Dance (also known as Kokoro Dance Theatre Society) is a well-known butoh dance group from Canada. They are based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The group was started in 1986 by two artistic directors, Barbara Bourget and Japanese Canadian Jay Hirabayashi. Kokoro Dance has performed their unique style of dance all over Canada, in the United States, and in other countries too.

Butoh is a special kind of dance that started in Japan. It often involves slow, controlled movements, and dancers sometimes use white body paint and shaved heads to create a striking look. Kokoro Dance uses these elements to tell stories and express feelings through their performances.

The company creates dance shows for both young people and adults. They also perform a special annual dance at Wreck Beach in Vancouver.

What is Butoh Dance?

Butoh is a type of dance that began in Japan after World War II. It's different from many other dance styles because it focuses on expressing deep emotions and ideas through slow, often unusual movements.

Key Features of Butoh

• Unique Movements: Butoh dancers often move very slowly and deliberately. Their movements can sometimes look strange or dreamlike.
• Appearance: Dancers might use white body paint, shaved heads, or special costumes to change how they look. This helps them become different characters or express certain feelings.
• Storytelling: Butoh often explores themes like life, death, nature, and human feelings. It's a way to tell stories without using words.

The Founders of Kokoro Dance

Kokoro Dance was created by Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi. They are both talented dancers and choreographers who wanted to bring the unique style of Butoh dance to audiences in Canada and beyond.

Barbara Bourget

Barbara Bourget is a Canadian dancer and choreographer. She has a strong background in different dance styles and has dedicated her career to exploring and performing Butoh.

Jay Hirabayashi

Jay Hirabayashi is a Japanese Canadian dancer and choreographer. His heritage connects him to the origins of Butoh dance, and he has helped to introduce this art form to many people in North America.

Notable Performances and Works

Kokoro Dance has created many memorable dance pieces over the years. Each performance is a unique experience that combines movement, music, and visual elements.

Early Works

• Dis/Zero (1987)
• Episode in Blue: A Cantata from... (1988)
• Zero to the Power (1989)

Later Productions

• Crime Against Grace (2001)
• Sheepman Dreams (2003)
• Tutaj Tam/Here to There (2005)
• Sunyata (1991, 1997, 2006)

External links

• Official site: http://kokoro.ca/