REPERTOIRE
DEY: 5 minutes
"Dey" is an excerpt of a work in progress by Daniel Désir. In the wake of the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, one woman, pulled from the rumble struggles to find her strength to express her pain and sorrow amidst death and destruction; anger and sorrow echo her calling for the sons and daughters of "Ayiti Toma" to come together to rebuild the island....
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2010
Music by: Toto Bissainthe (1989)
GENESIS: The encounter of human kind (10minutes)
Choreography: Daniel Désir,2010
Music: Yanvalou Mascaron
EXIS’TRANCE: The divine transformation of the emergence of life (15 minutes)
Life is mystery! Life is magic! Life is a cyclical! Many try to understand its origin by offering theories in an attempt to explain its meaning. This piece serves a dual purpose. First it is a refutation of the widely held belief that Vodoun is evil. In the philosophy of Vodoun, the divine dyads: Damballah Wedo and Ayida Wedo are represented by two entwined serpents and an egg symbolizing the eternity of life. Ever wondered why the medical logo has two serpents around it? Think about it. Secondly, is to juxtapose the notion of trance and giving birth as a divine transformation. “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children” (Genesis 3, v.16). Life begins with the sewing of a seed and the unification of two forces...and it shall return where it begins.
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2010
Music: Yanvalou, Zèpòl
REJWISANS: The celebration of hard work and a successful harvest; representing hope and prosperity.
In Vodoun, the system of “lakou” is a complete representation of that struggle for survival. Azaka Mede or simply: Zaka, the god of agriculture, represents abundance, generosity and prosperity; he is a conscientious worker and is very protective of his possessions. Zaka is a flirt and lover.
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2010
Music: Kombit, Djumba, Contre danse, Chaille aux pieds (15 minutes)
FLIRTATIOUS
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2010
Rhythms: Kongo
CLASH: In our quest for survival; our brothers become our enemies (15 minutes)
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2010
Rhythms: Nago, Petro, Mayi
REVIVAL: death is the begining of a new life (15 minutes)
In Vodoun belief, death is not the end of life but the beginning of a new life. In the Haitian tradition, Baron Samdi: the guardian of the necropolis welcomes the dead but is also the protector of the newly born. He is also the lord of eroticism. This piece is the representation of the creative role of sexuality in life; this is how we conserve life by generating and regenerating the living organism. This choreography is the connection between the end and the beginning; it captures the essence of Rituals: the Cycle of Life. Remember “For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return" (Genesis 3, v.19). Death is not the end but the recovering of life.
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2010
Rhythm: Mascaron, Banda
OBSESSION: (10 minutes)
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2001
Rhythm: Yanvalou Mascaron
TRANCE: (15 minutes)
Choreography: Daniel Désir, 2001
Rhythm: Yanvalou-Mahi
