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

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

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
  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. 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
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