Lord of the Dance meets Sondaky

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Wherever Sondaky goes, the message to the audience is always the same. Its music and dance speak of peace, universal brotherhood and the protection of the earth.

Sondaky is a concept-dance group that has emerged from Wendake, the Huron-Wendat community near Quebec City. Its contemporary musical style is reminiscent of Pink Floyd, according to recent reviews in Europe. An innovative approach to traditional dance blended with contemporary media has garnered this young group much recognition.

Gaetan Sioui is the man behind the show. His vision and creative drive led to the founding of the group in 1998. Sondaky and Gaetan are one and the same, said Sioui, who gave the group his own Huron name. He is the lead composer and choreographer and works with partner Johanne Levesque, five musicians and eight dancers. Their eight-year-old daughter is the youngest dancer in the finale.

Sioui's father is Huron-Wendat. Sioui credits his paternal grandfather, Alexander Sioui, with inspiring the vision for the show. Ancestral themes are expressed through his music, dance and costumes. Sondaky is based on the ancient belief in the circle of life where all the natural elements are interrelated and interdependent, where we must care for the earth and work towards harmony and respect among all nations.

"The sacredness of the circle of life is expressed through my compositions, my choreographies and my arrangements, which create a strongly emotional and spiritual experience," said Sioui. His message is an expression of peace among all peoples and the harmonious connection with Mother Earth.

"These are messages that I feel our ancestors would want to pass on through artists in various fields. We need to form a collective spirit for the planet which encourages us all to treat Mother Earth well."

Sondaky has been compared to Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. "Because of the high energy level, dance synchrony, interest in the reinvention of basic dance steps combined with ancestral musical instruments, we have been compared. Our dance styles may be different yet we share a common desire to renew traditions in our shows."

Sioui said although the music and movements are traditionally inspired, they are combined with contemporary media, such as special laser effects, multi-media and great attention to dance synchrony.

Sondaky is produced by Ontara Productions, a non-profit Huron-Wendat company that encourages Native, as well as non-Native talent in Quebec. Since 1998, Sondaky has performed locally, as well as in Ottawa, Europe and Asia.

Sioui attributes his bond with his audiences to the spirit of black eagle, which is ever-present at his performances.

"The eagle has always been my favorite animal and today it is the spiritual guide of my thoughts and actions."