Rose-Mary “Rosie” Harbans is a Dora-Award nominated performer, choreographer, and dance educator from Toronto, Ontario. She is currently performing her latest choreographic work, The Fall into Flow, as part of the Black Flames performances at the biennial Yensa Festival. In a recent conversation, she discussed the piece – and how it crystallizes and universalizes the current moment in her development as both an artist and a human being.
Produced and presented by Lua Shayenne Dance Company, the festival invests in Black leadership, knowledge-sharing, and the empowerment of Black women dance artists – while raising awareness and recognizing the significant contributions of Black female dance artists and African, and Afro-diaspora cultures to the wealth of our global culture.
Harbans, whose artistic journey is deeply rooted in her Trinidadian and Jamaican heritage, is recognized for her innovative approach to movement and storytelling, and has established herself as a force in the dance scene. Her credits include Dixon Road (Musical Stage Company/ Ray Hogg), A Revolution for Love (Esie Mensah), and recently, Kira, The Path | La Voie (Lua Shayenne Dance Company).
Reflecting on her path, Harbans is able to isolate the moment that ignited her passion for dance. “I remember when my dad shared with me that his grandfather, my great-grandfather, was a tap dancer,” she reveals. “That pivotal moment led me to want to take dance more seriously. It was inspiring to know that someone else in my lineage also shared this passion for movement.” Pursuing a career in dance felt like a natural choice – and was fueled equally by her love for the stage and the steadfast support of her parents.
The Fall into Flow aligns seamlessly with the Black Flames initiative, which is renowned for showcasing “performances by Black women choreographers who experiment, reimagine, and disrupt conventional dance norms”. This year’s Black Flames performances will also include Sezam by choreographer Shérane Figaro, with dancers Aurélie Ann Figaro, Coralie Millet, Mya Métellus, and Anais Gilles; Freeform by choreographer and dancer I’thandi Munro; and Feminine by choreographer and dancer Olivia Okonkwo.
According to Harbans, The Fall into Flow is “a movement meditation, where I am actively confronting the themes of self-trust and distrust, resistance and flow, questioning, self-discovery, and being in a liminal space.” Creating the piece has allowed an honest exploration of where she finds herself currently in her personal and artistic journey. It has become “a beautiful vessel for healing and growth”, as she navigates these tensions in her life. And Harbans is eager to share The Fall into Flow with audiences. “I am hopeful that through witnessing my piece, they will confront their own questions of self/spirit, and find comfort and curiosity in their own multidimensionality.”
Juggling her roles as a professional dancer and choreographer with her responsibilities as a teacher at Canada’s National Ballet School is a balancing act. And through it, Harbans has learned the criticality of continually growing her craft. “Staying committed to expanding my artistry is a necessity for me to remain inspired as a teacher,” she notes. “Feeding my own personal creativity – whether through journaling or dancing with friends – is super important. These activities keep my creative juices flowing, and help me feel fulfilled.”
Accordingly, The Fall into Flow continues to push the boundaries of dance and storytelling, offering audiences a chance to engage with themes of transformation and self-discovery in an innovative and deeply personal way. The excited but humble Harbans is “really grateful for the opportunity to bring more light to Yensa Festival” – and beyond the event, invites audiences to stay connected with her (and up to date on her work) by following @rosieharbans on Instagram.
Black Flames, as part of Yensa Festival, will be on stage at Betty Oliphant Theatre on August 23 and 24, 2024, 8:00 pm, with a pre-show chat with the artists at 7:30 pm. Visit yensafestival.com to reserve tickets.
© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2024
