After an overwhelming response in April 1998, Michael Du Maresq and Artword are excited to announce the return of Dancing Barefoot with Patti at the brand new theatre space at 75 Portland St. running four nights October 27 to the 30th at 8 pm. Choreographed by Michael Du Maresq, and danced by Leanne Dixon, the dance work is inspired by the poetry and rock music of cult goddess Patti Smith.

Hailed by NOW magazine as a dance artist to watch in 1999, Du Maresq "makes dance that gets you high." Eye Magazine writes: "With Dancing Barefoot... Du Maresq and Dixon may have done for Toronto dance what Patti Smith did for poetry: explored a punk sense of freedom with an appeal that reaches beyond a traditional audience."

Du Maresq's dance work is inspired by a collection of poems written by the rock poet and performer from 1970 to 1979. Michael says, "Immediately, I was struck by the visceral beauty of her language, and her evocative images. Her street-smart sensibility is crude but at the same time she is not afraid to show her vulnerability. I love the stream-of-consciousness voyage she embarks on, opening so many doors and leaving predictability way behind." Capturing the spontaneity and primal energy of the poems demanded a raw physicality that was new and scary. He began to explore a much more visceral approach in improvisational exercises, generating movement and images.

Also on the program is a solo for Du Maresq himself entitled Blue Button an exploration of memory inspired by photos from his childhood. A new addition to this remounted program is an old nugget first produced at Dances for a Small Stage, called Homopoly. Using a gameboard motif, Du Maresq explores the challenges and rewards of being gay in the 90's. The piece features music by local singer/songwriter David Sereda.

Michael Du Maresq has presented his work at Dance for a Small Stage, fFida, the Vancouver Fringe Festival and 8:08 Series. He has appeared in Artword's production of Echo and Narcissus, a collaboration with artistic director Ronald Weihs and dancer/choreographer Hedy Minten. As a dancer Michael has worked with choreographers, Sarah Chase, Kim Frank and Michelle Silagy. Most recently he appeared in Hari Krishnan's Exhalations at the Kalanihdi Festival in August. He is currently in post-production for his first dance film, Hollow.