The Legacy of Leonard Cohen Lives Through Dance
Through the evocative performance of Dance Me, Ballets Jazz Montreal pays homage to the celebrated poet, artist, and songwriter Leonard Cohen. Alexandra Damiani, who serves as both the general and artistic director of the company and has danced with them in the past, shares the journey of this vibrant and generous troupe. “We began by doing ballets on jazz music,” she notes, highlighting the company’s dynamic evolution over its 54-year history.
For nearly a decade, Ballets Jazz Montreal has been bringing Dance Me to audiences worldwide. “The show was premiered in 2017,” Damiani recounts. Leonard Cohen had given his blessing to the selected songs before his passing, leaving a profound impact on the production. Damiani adds, “According to the original dancers, the presence of Leonard Cohen was everywhere.”
The performance weaves through the seasons, inspired by Cohen’s love for walking through Montreal’s streets and other cities he cherished. “It was very important for Leonard Cohen then that it represented the wide spectrum of his career,” Damiani explains. The production features some of Cohen’s most beloved songs, including ‘Hallelujah,’ ‘So Long, Marianne,’ and ‘Suzanne.’
Damiani shares a personal highlight from the performance, saying, “One of my favorite moments is ‘Famous Blue Raincoat.’ The snow is coming down … And every time I just, I don’t know, feel so much warmth in my body and feel taken to another time, another world.”
Art enthusiasts can experience Ballet Jazz Montreal’s Dance Me: The Music of Léonard Cohen on Friday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno. Visit artown.org for tickets and more information.
Support for ‘Arts on the Airwaves’ is provided by The Nevada Arts Council, a state agency that offers public funding and support to artists and organizations benefiting Nevadans in cities and rural communities statewide. Learn more at NVArtsCouncil.org.
