danny grossman
(1942 - 2023)
Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann
Formal Memorial Celebration Video
Festive Procession led by Big Smoke Brass Band
Videography and Editing: Patrick Lee
Photography Exhibition of Memorial Event
Photography by: Zhenya Cerneacov
“I am a narrative choreographer, profoundly influenced by the theatrical masks of tragedy and comedy. I have choreographed works that deal with personal, social, political and spiritual transformation for forty-five years.
At the age of seventy-seven, I am horrified at the continued proliferation of weapons of death, the alarming human birth-rate, the financial inequality among people, the devastation of much of the environment and the imminently dangerous climate crisis.
If human beings continue on this path, often spurred on by ignorant and dangerous demi-gods, this will represent the greatest act of immorality and stupidity that a species could commit.
By the end of the century thousands of species will be extinct, and millions of our own dead.
As artists, we understand the relationship between new ideas and creations and the evolution of life itself – SPEAK OUT, by any means possible, as I am doing here.
It is time for all people who believe the earth is not only the cradle of life but the womb itself, to act.
As indigenous peoples throughout the world know, the earth is a sacred place and we are its custodians.”
-- Danny Grossman, 2020
ABOUT DANNY
Photo: Cylla Von Tiedemann
Photo: Cylla Von Tiedemann
Danny Grossman was born in San Francisco in 1942. In 1963, he joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company and spent the next 10 years performing and touring with the company. In 1973, Grossman joined Toronto Dance Theatre in Canada, and became a faculty member at York University. In 1975, he choreographed Higher to tremendous praise leading to the formation of the Danny Grossman Dance Company in 1977. Grossman has since created a repertoire of more than 60 works, touring across Canada and internationally. His choreography has been in the repertoire of Toronto Dance Theatre, The Paris Opera Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and The National Ballet of Canada and has also been performed by modern dance training institutions such as Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, New York State Summer School of the Arts, Adelphi University, City College of New York, Brown University, York University, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Ryerson University, and Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre. Grossman has been the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Toronto Arts Council Foundation’s William Kilbourn Lifetime Achievement Award and was recently inducted into the Canadian Dance Collection Danse Encore! Hall of Fame. In 2008, the company embarked on a new initiative, the Danny Grossman Dance Foundation, as a means of reconstructing and licensing his repertoire. The Grossman repertoire has been represented at the New York State Summer School of the Arts for almost thirty years, and has added immeasurably to both students and faculty who have had the rich experience of dancing these works. In June of 2018, in honor of his 75th birthday, Danny presented a full evening of his own works, including 3 world premieres. Danny Grossman died in Toronto of natural causes on July 29, 2023.
Higher
(1975)
Costumes and Set: Mary Kerr
Original Lighting: Nicholas Cernovitch
"In my youth I was inspired by dancers Donald O'Connor, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire and adored their fabulous use of props. And of course, I loved Charlie Chaplin. By the time I left San Francisco at 20 years old, Ray Charles had become my favorite performing artist and composer.
After performing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company for 10 years, Higher to Ray's music, was the first dance I created.' --Danny Grossman
Music: Ray Charles
National Spirit (1976)
Music: American Marches and Anthems
Original Lighting: Peter Anderson
Costumes: Mary Kerr
National Spirit was choreographed in 1976, the year of the American bicentennial celebration and shortly after the end of the Vietnam war.
It has been performed for almost 45 years to cheers, boos, and laughter in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, England, Wales, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Israel.
Triptych (1976)
Costumes: Lola
Original Lighting: Peter Anderson
Music: Darius Milhaud
" A Triptych is a picture of relief carving on three panels, used as an altarpiece. To the expressionistic music of Milhaud, I have chosen to set the stage for three desolate characters." - Danny Grossman