When watching Akshongay, it's impossible not to lose your breath a little as Nova Dance's Nova Bhattacharya and Louis Laberge-Côté flit, as though weightless, together across the floor. The dancers seem to be communicating telepathically with one another as their bodies bend and spring apart in tandem. "We're bringing contemporary dance that is inspired by and contains a strong element of bharatanatyam"—a form of classical Indian dance—explains dancer/choreographer Bhattacharya. Named after the Bengali word for "together," Akshongay is a fresh, ethereal fusion of Eastern and Western traditions. Prepare to be seriously impressed by "the strength of seeing two forms of dance integrated this way and the sense of communication that evolves between the two dancers working in different styles."
