Alvin Erasga Tolentino

Alvin Erasga Tolentino is a Filipino Canadian choreographer and dance artist, and the founding Artistic Director of Vancouver, British Columbia's Co.ERASGA Dance.[1]

Early life and education

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Tolentino was born in Manila, Philippines.[2] He studied with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, at York University in Toronto and at the SUNY Purchase and Limon Institute.

Career

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Tolentino worked with several dance companies, including EDAM, Lola Dance, Mascall Dance, Kinesis Dance, Kokoro Dance and Karen Jamieson Dance.[3]

In 2000, Tolentino founded Co.ERASGA Dance. As its artistic director,[4] he has choreographed several major works for this company, including SOLA, BATO/stone, MINORI, VOLT, FIELD, SHE SAID, OrienTik/Portrait, BODYGlass, (with Peter Chin), PARADIS/PARADISE,[5] ADAMEVE-Man/Woman, Shadow Machine[3] and 2011's EXpose, (with Martin Inthamoussú,)[6] some of which toured internationally.

Tolentino's work SOLA has been choreographed for film and was a recipient of two 2001 BC Leo Awards, and awarded the Grand Prix Video International competition for UNESCO in Paris in 2002.[3]

In 2010 Tolentino was awarded the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award for dance in recognition of his contribution to the city's culture.[7]

In 2012, Tolentino choreographed and performed a solo piece, Colonial[8] In 2015 he collaborated with Thailand's Pichet Klunchun on a piece entitled Unwrapping Culture.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Colonial". Review Vancouver, by Ed Farolan, 2014.
  2. ^ "Filipino Canadians celebrate 116th anniversary of Philippine independence in Vancouver". Georgia Strait, by Carlito Pablo on June 13th, 2014
  3. ^ a b c Anderson, Carol. "Enter, Dancing - Narratives of Migration". Dance Collection Danse. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  4. ^ "East and West meet at Undivided Colours event". Georgia Strait, Janet Smith on November 5th, 2014
  5. ^ "Alvin Erasga Tolentino is dancing in paradise". Georgia Strait, by Alexander Varty on March 19th, 2008 "
  6. ^ Citron, Paula. "EXpose Co. delights with a cross-cultural celebration of gayness". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  7. ^ Lederman, Marsha. "Mayor announces 2010 Arts Awards". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  8. ^ "Alvin Erasga Tolentino digs up Filipino roots". Montreal Gazette, Victor Swoboda, Gazette dance critic 10.17.2012
  9. ^ "Unwrapping Culture digs at some dark issues beneath all the flashing lights and plastic trinkets". Georgia Strait, by Janet Smith on October 17th, 2015