My first exposure to the dance company, Tentacle Tribe, was during their acclaimed performance “Prism”. They reconvened at The Cultch after sold-out shows of Ghost in 2020. Once again, they received rave reviews including one by SeeChangeMakers. The dance company has toured globally throughout its over 10 years of existence. The two artistic directors of the company have brought a whole new meaning to street dance. Meanwhile, they are making an impact on the world around them.
Who is Tentacle Tribe?
20 years ago, Emmanuelle Le Phan and Elon Höglund met while working with Cirque du Soleil. The two dancers recognized a mutual love of a contemporary exploration into hip hop and breaking. Each of these artists had an extensive background in dance. This history finally brought them together. Höglund had worked with Cirkus Cirkör which eventually lead him to Cirque. Meanwhile, Le Phan was working in Rubberband Dance Company, when a Cirque director spotted her. Both worked the Cirque show “Love” in Las Vegas for two years before returning to Canada.
Upon arrival, they both started working within the Rubberband Dance Company. “Lê Phan and Höglund did just one Rubberband Dance show together before going out on their own.”[1] In 2012, Tentacle Tribe was born. The new dance company focused on their unique styles of dance influences of techniques seen in hip hop, break, ballet, martial arts, etc. However, they created a contemporary genre all of its own. Le Phan and Höglund establish in the Vimeo bio. It was a mission to create work that transcends boundaries separating movement and expressing the embodiment of music beyond techniques.
Where to next?
Not surprisingly, they have achieved great success. Forever growing, this Canadian-Swedish partnership has expanded the company to include a variety of dancers and outside collaborators. With a love of their roots, they are always supporting the expansion of street dance. In a recent collaboration, Le Phan and Victoria Côté Péléja, initiated Corocasse, a Quebec City Street Dance Festival born in 2023.
Channel
It will be presented again in the summer of 2025. As well, in the Spring of 2025, DIRT will debut. DIRT is a theatrical dance “reflection on our primal connection to the earth, to dirt and the source of all life”. The Höglund steered production will premiere, on April 9th 2025 at Agora de la danse, Montréal.
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Theresa K. Howell
[1] https://www.vancouverballetsociety.com/2017/08/kindred-hip-hop-spirits/