Running a successful gallery in Toronto is like riding a bicycle backwards on a steep incline in the rain on a Sunday in church traffic hung-over. Not entirely impossible but an uphill battle of fierce proportions.

Not a whole lot has changed in Toronto's art scene since the days of the now-defunct sis boom bah and Luft gallery. Rents continue to increase, galleries open and galleries close. And though we've whined and complained ad nauseam to the point of cliché, we all know how the story goes. The movement from counter-culture to culture to "authentic loft living" is nothing new and certainly not unique to Toronto.

In my pursuit to dispel the myth that "all contemporary dance is boring and esoteric" - (says the ignoramus who shall remain nameless), I've lined up an interview with one of the most innovative choreographers making dance in Toronto these days.

Malgorzata Nowacka is the Artistic Director of The Chimera Project, a company known for its rich, dark and powerfully physical work. Her latest creation, The Hidden Spot, is a spiked concoction of urban dance, contact improvisation, martial arts and ballet.

The Hidden Spot Premieres tonight at the Harbourfront Centre.

An Interview w/ Malgorzata Nowacka:

Q: I think it's fair to say that contemporary dance is a challenging art form to sell to the general public - more so than theatre or contemporary art. To those who have never seen a contemporary dance performance, what would you say to convince them to test the waters with 'The Hidden Spot'?

The Dance Files is your bi-weekly brief on what's happening in Toronto's experimental and contemporary dance scene.

Wednesday, April 2nd
Indie dancers Lucy Rupert and Susan Kendal explore the complexities of human imperfections in Ava/Chroma, a Dance Works CoWorks event. Theatre Centre. April 2-5. Tix $20

Thursday, April 3rd
Catch the World Premiere of The Hidden Spot, another gut busting, ass-kicking performance care of the The Chimera Project. A full-length work exploring our capacity to believe, doubt and yearn. Part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps Series. Enwave Theatre. April 3-5. 8pm. Tix $30 regular, $20 students, seniors and arts workers

There's a certain kind of loyalty we reserve for our local video store. Mine is of the raging soccer mom kind - that obnoxious breed who through thick or thin will stand along the sidelines shouting Mine is better than yours! louder than the rest.

The way I see it, the independent video store is a neighborhood staple - as essential as the corner market, the laundromat and the coffee shop. If you're lucky enough to have all four within walking distance from home, why ever consider moving?

The Dance Files is your bi-weekly brief on what's happening in Toronto's experimental and contemporary dance scene.


Sunday, March 16
On Sunday mornings when I can manage to peel myself out of bed before 9 am, I'll turn the dial on my mid-90's boom box to Evi-Dance, an hour-long radio program on CUIT 89.5. Evi-Dance covers the latest in Toronto dance news and hosts a revolving panel of dancers and choreographers. Tomorrow morning's show is jammed with artists from some upcoming performances you can read about below. If you're an early riser, tune in. Sunday mornings. 9-10 am. CUIT 89.5 FM (U of T's official radio station).

Tuesday, March 25
Catch the Toronto premiere of Abattoir, the latest feast from Kaeja d'Dance. If you're new to contemporary dance, I dare you to give this show a go. It will surely bust open all your preconceptions of what dance ought to be. Abattoir is a daring mix of dance, music, new opera and theatre. Premiere Dance Theatre. March 25, 27-29. 8 pm. Tix $18 - $30

The Dance Files is your bi-weekly brief on what's happening in Toronto's experimental and contemporary dance scene.

Saturday, March 1st
Tonight, I'm busting my ass to finish an arts council grant. If I had the time I'd definitely be at this show. It's not often you get to see four veteran choreographers on one stage for the price of a magic tofu wrap. Check out the last show of 'Older & Reckless' featuring the work of Douglas Dunn, Keiko Kitano, Dan Wild and Bill James. Dancemakers Studio. 8pm. Tix $12-15.

Thursday, March 6th:
Always a deeply moving experience is the work of Sashar Zarif. His new show, 'Choreographies of Migration', opens tonight with four dance works. Enwave Theatre. March 6-8. Tix $17-27.