Aug 14 & 15: Mango Cherry Mix

Mango Cherry Mix is an interracial duet  between two Asian men, a Japanese and an Indian, who seek to explore their  cultural selves, their differences and similarities, in the presence of a  "familiar" other.

This unique piece fuses two artistic and cultural  worlds, weaving together diverse contemporary and traditional dance forms.  Through a combination of movements inspired by classical Asian dances (Nihon  Buyo and Bharatanatyam), modern dance and physical theatre, two universes  come together as the artists slowly discover their similarities and  differences. Mango Cherry Mix springs from the desire of both artists  to create a common space and a platform for communication in which the  movement of one is the starting point of a choreographic dialogue with the  other.

Born in Japan, Hiroshi Miyamoto studied at Main Dance  (Vancouver) and Merce Cunningham Studio (Manhattan). In Toronto, he  co-founded Green Tea, a Japanese dancers’ collective for which he dances and  choreographs. He is also a member of inDance and 3M Dances collective. Mr.  Miyamoto has worked with several masters and choreographers of varying  backgrounds (notably Serge Bennathan and Peter Chin). His practice is  focused on the elimination of borders based on social identity (gender,  nationality, age, etc.).

Of Indian origin, Navtej Johar learned the  art of Bharatanatyam at Kalakshetra (Chennai), and with Leela Samson at  Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (New Delhi) before going to study at the  Department of Performance Studies at New York University. He has  collaborated with several choreographers of varying backgrounds, such as  Justin McCarthy, Janet Lilly and the New York City Opera. Mr. Johar is also  the recipient of several awards, including the Times of India Fellowship in  1995 and is the founder of Studio Abhyas Trust (New Delhi). Creative freedom  and a merging of traditional and avant-garde elements are at the centre of  his practice.

Mango Cherry Mix premiered in New Delhi in March  2009, followed by a short run at the MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) in  May 2009.