Kokoro Dance
Encyclopedia
Kokoro Dance is one of Canada
's leading butoh
dance troupes. Based in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, it was founded in 1986 by artistic directors Barbara Bourget
and Japanese Canadian Jay Hirabayashi. They have performed across Canada
, in the United States
, and abroad.
As is characteristic of butoh dance, they often perform naked, shaved heads, and covered in white body make-up. They perform an annual dance at Vancouver's clothing-optional Wreck Beach
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's leading butoh
Butoh
is the collective name for a diverse range of activities, techniques and motivations for dance, performance, or movement inspired by the movement. It typically involves playful and grotesque imagery, taboo topics, extreme or absurd environments, and is traditionally performed in white body makeup...
dance troupes. Based in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, it was founded in 1986 by artistic directors Barbara Bourget
Barbara Bourget
Barbara Bourget is the artistic director of Kokoro Dance Theatre Society in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia on October 10, 1950. Bourget began tap dancing at age four and went on to take ballet class at age nine...
and Japanese Canadian Jay Hirabayashi. They have performed across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and abroad.
As is characteristic of butoh dance, they often perform naked, shaved heads, and covered in white body make-up. They perform an annual dance at Vancouver's clothing-optional Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach is a popular clothing-optional beach located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which is in turn part of the University Endowment Lands just west of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
.