They communicate through dialects such as: Contemporary, Hip Hop, House dancing, Waacking and Bboying. Their work reflects a distinct language that stands out from the masses. Rightly named Gadfly Dance Company, they personify innovation.
Gadfly is the brainchild of Apolonia Velasquez and Ofilio Portillo, a creative duet originally from Montreal and now based in Toronto. Initially, these two maverick choreographers had for vision to see Urban Dance genres completed with real human qualities, and some flavor added to Contemporary dance. From there, it is from the need to express themselves without the constraints of commercial demands and to finally put urban dances in the forefront that other established dancers decided to collaborate. As a result, in 2008, Canada’s first contemporary urban dance ensemble was created.
Now, after only four years of existence, what makes Gadfly unique among the myriad of existing dance companies is both its outstanding performers and its fresh and eccentric concept. Contemporary Urban Dancing is more than just a fusion of dances styles. Merging art with entertainment, they bring on stage a unique energy and their works breathe through that spontaneity found only in the urban dance culture.
Performances:
- Klorofyl – full length
- Unbearable Prospect – full length
- Ted Talks Toronto
- Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Patron’s night
- Bench Clothing store opening
- DTRC Gala
- Dare 2 Dance
- Series 808
- Dance Matters Series
- The Bazaar
- Talent Defined
- Dances of Offerings
Festivals:
- Luminato
- Nuit Blanche
- Dance Weekend commission
- Oakville Jazz Festival
- Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival
- Toronto Fringe
- Lab Cab
- Toronto Pearson Street Festival
- Irie Fest
- Junction Festival
- Break Beats & Culture
- Rock, Paper, Sistas
- Women in Dance
- International Dance Day
Contributed for organizations and Charities:
- Keep-A-Breast
- Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists
- The Speech and Stuttering Institute
- Rethink Breast Cancer
- Sick Kids
- Doctor’s Without Borders (support for Haiti)
- Liam’s Light
