So “Addicted” to the House of Dangerkat

This weekend one of Calgary’s most exciting shows is going down. Or should I say up?

 From the lofty observation deck of the Calgary Tower comes a show that will shock, amaze and entertain you in unimaginable ways. The show is Addicted and is part of Slammenberry Jam 5.

The Jam is an urban dance festival put on by Blue Collar Dance. The series kicked off last week with the theatrical production of Whodunnit at the Vertigo Theatre Centre and ends this weekend with Addicted. The performance is a journey through dance, a story through movement and an exploration of emotions in motion.

The new choreographed dance piece is somewhat of a psychological thriller which keeps you on your toes until the very end.
The performance was choreographed and organized by members of Calgary’s premiere voguing dance troupe the House of Dangerkat. The group didn’t just want to present a performance to ticket holders but rather create an experience, an atmosphere which set the tone for the headliner piece.

Immediately you step foot off of the elevator to the 400th floor of the Calgary Tower,  you are welcomed by strobing lights of all colours and wicked, pulsating beats courtesy of DJ Teddy Celebration. As you meander your way around the floor you are able to enjoy intricate live art, numerous videos (including one about the making of Addicted) and moving/dancing art works.

Dressed in fantastical costumes out of an Egyptian Space Age Odyssey, performers pose, walk and sometimes dance along the walls and floors not saying a word, like the guards at Buckingham Palace. The outfits were designed and tailored by Hege Edvardsen of Stockholm Sweden. Not known for her costuming, Edvarsen was able to use sharp lines, lustrous beading and fabric to really give the performers an ‘out of this world’ look.

Kaiti Dangerkat, founder of the House of Dangerkat and lead choreographer for Addicted met Edvardsen along her global travels and the efforts of their collaboration is phenomenal. The clothing in Addicted definitely made the show and complimented the mood and themes of the dance.

Also along her travels she met up with Jenn Doan, Montreal-based singer, contemporary choreographer and all around artist. Doan contributed to Addicted by teaming up with Dangerkat and adding her contemporary flair to  the group’s hip hop, dance hall and voguing roots.

You would be kidding yourselves if you thought I was going to give you a play by play of this dance performance. You need to see it to believe it. It truly is more like a movie than a dance recital. You are taken through a roller coaster of emotions and thoughts as you connect with each character in this routine. You can tell that hard work, dedication and an unbridled courage to explore the unknown drove this group to produce this wonderful piece. They spent days in a New York studio playing with concepts, movements and themes to come up with this inspiring show.

Don’t get it twisted, you need to have your interpretive hats on when watching Addicted.

There is a story, but I am not sure what it is, many of the movements were erratic but seemed to fit in context but I have no idea what that context is.
However I feel Dangerkat dancer Kevin Fraser put it best when he said, “people might not understand it but it affects them.”

Drop by the Calgary Tower Saturday to become affected by Addicted.

October 15 – 17

Calgary Tower

Doors Open 9pm

First Show at 10pm, 
Second Show at 11pm.

Last Elevator 11pm

$22 + GST

All tickets available at Vertigo Box Office

Words by Ian Keteku

Photos by David Austin, Faby Martin, Oscar Lopez © 2009