The choreographer and artistic director of Co.ERASGA Alvin Erasga Tolentino talks to Joseph Planta about the dance company’s 20th anniversary, and the world premiere production of Offering, 28 and 29 November 2020, livestreaming from the Anvil Centre.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Alvin Erasga Tolentino joins me again. The founder and artistic director of Co.ERASGA previews their world premiere production Offering, which was created out of the time of the pandemic, and unfortunately has been affected by it this week. When we taped this interview nearly three weeks ago, the show was to have taken place at another venue, livestreamed with limited tickets for in person attendance. However, with the various regulations in place it will now be at New Westminster’s Anvil Centre livestreamed, this Saturday and Sunday, 28^th & 29^th November 2020. Tickets for the stream are available at www.companyerasgadance.ca. They’re $25.00, and $20 for students, seniors, and artists. I get Alvin to preview Offering, the genesis of this production, what he asked and asks of his dancers, who are: Joshua Ongcol, Olivia Shaffer, Marc Arboleda, Antonio Somera, Molly McDermott, and Marrisa Wong. I’ll also get Mr. Tolentino to reflect on this, the 20^th anniversary season of the acclaimed dance company based in Vancouver. The company has toured its contemporary dance productions in over 60 different cities in Asia, Europe, and South America. We’ll also discuss the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts, but also the dancer, the person who uses their body as artistic expression. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Alvin Erasga Tolentino; Mr. Tolentino, good morning.

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