Fall for Dance North

Imagine exploring gravity, cultures, and the creation of a new world – on Mars. Now imagine gathering some of the world’s best tap dancers from Canada, Japan, the United States, and Australia to go on that journey with you. What questions would you ask? Where would the rhythm of collective bodies lead? With The Mars Project, Brampton’s Travis Knights has choreographed such an odyssey. He imagines the impossible on Mars in order to expand the possible on earth. He explores community, care, abundance and joy. Gravity is still in play but is in all aspects lighter. Travis asks, “what would it be like to tap dance on Mars?”

The Mars Project is a music feast for the soul. A world premiere at FFDN, this sci-fi show blurs the lines between theatre, concert, aerials and dance with original music that generates conversation between composition and choreography.

Choreographer Travis Knights is the 2020 recipient of the Jaqueline Lemieux Prize for outstanding contribution to dance in Canada. Born in Montreal, he was introduced to the rich oral tradition of tap by his teacher Ethel Bruneau at age 10. He went on to travel the world spreading his love of rhythm across 4 continents, touring with Tap Dogs, Tapestry Dance Company, Anandam Dance Theatre and the self-produced Tap Love Tour.
FUN FACTS:
The Mars Project marks the FFDN return of Lisa LaTouche (FFDN 2020) and Johnny Morin (FFDN 2022). Lisa’s film Swing Forward was also selected for presentation in FFDN’s 8-Count short film series in 2022.
FFDN is an early commissioner of The Mars Project through the 2022 CanDance Network Creative Exchange Project (CEP).
Cast member Reona is always ready to materialize the sounds in her head. She travels with not only tap shoes, but a wooden board, iron plates, tin pot lids, stainless steel bowls, etc., and makes full use of what she has.
Travis Knights hosts The Tap Love Tour Podcast, available on spotify, soundcloud and apple podcasts, featuring interviews of a myriad of inspiring tap dance artists.