10 Gates – What it Was, What it is Now
From its inception in 1998, 10 Gates Dancing has embodied the ethos of its founder, the late great Tedd Robinson (1952-2022). Tedd was an iconic Canadian choreographer, performer and educator, best known for his idiosyncratic solo works, including the Chalmers’ award-winning Rokudo: six destinies in three steps.
Tedd formed 10 Gates Dancing Inc. to promote the development and performance of contemporary dance creations. As artistic director, he created repertoire for some of the most renowned dance artists in Canada, alongside establishing choreographic consulting services for the milieu that have benefited over 40 individual choreographers.
In 2021, Tedd and B-boy Crazy Smooth were commissioned by the National Arts Centre to co-create a piece for their Dance Forth series. The resulting work, Finding “Out,” is a conversation between two artists whose personal practices differed, but whose world views aligned. During the “conversation,” Tedd talks about his need to retain the improvisational aspect of his dance practice and ponders the possibility of a life as a b-boy had he been born 30 years later.
In 2022, Tedd was looking forward to his retirement and in discussion with Crazy Smooth to look at how to best transition 10 Gates to him to carry on the good work. The transition to the new leadership, however, was interrupted by Tedd’s unexpected death that September. With the support of the amazing Tina Legari, Tedd’s long-time friend and 10 Gates’ General Manager, and the Board of Directors, Tedd’s intentions were carried out and 10 Gates Dancing is now under the Artistic Direction of B-boy Crazy Smooth.
10 Gates Dancing will continue to promote the development and performance of contemporary dance creations, now with a focus on the street dance community, honouring Tedd’s legacy.
Finding “Out”
In 2021, Tedd and B-boy Crazy Smooth were commissioned by the National Arts Centre to co-create a piece for their Dance Forth series. The resulting work, Finding “Out,” is a conversation between two artists whose personal practices differed, but whose world views aligned. During the “conversation,” Tedd talks about his need to retain the improvisational aspect of his dance practice and ponders the possibility of a life as a b-boy had he been born 30 years later.
