Next month, the SHIVER SHOW takes the stage at the Glenn Gould Studio in downtown Toronto (Feb 9 & 10) and I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the show’s Artistic Director and lead Choreographer ANTON AZANOV.
The handsome and talented artist (pictured below) has a string of major accomplishments and brings all these to the Shiver Show along with co-producers Kristina Kulikova and Chantal Fry.
Anton, you’ve won multiple Latin and ballroom dance world championships – what was your most memorable win? Was it your first youth championship or the first one as an adult? Definitely my most memorable accomplishment was winning the World Championship with my former partner in ten dance, which means across both the Latin & Ballroom dance programs. This is something I had worked very hard towards my entire dance career and was blessed to achieve.
You have dedicated much of your life (so far) to dance – long hours training and show rehearsals with lots of blood, sweat and tears! What have you had to sacrifice to reach the current point in your career? Generally, I have no regrets in life as I am extremely happy with the direction my life has taken and I don’t think of anything as sacrifice. A lot of the choices I made have brought me success but I am also thankful for those choices that did not, as they taught me many lessons for success in the future. We all sacrifice something, but when you have a goal, it doesn’t matter.
Were you born in Russia and did you do your training there? I was born in Siberia, Russia, and initially began my training there. After several early success both my parents and I understood that in order to further my dance career, I had to relocate to Moscow where all the major clubs and trainers were. So at age 11, I moved to Moscow where all the current world champions trained.
You’re choreographing the upcoming Shiver Show in Toronto – are you enjoying working with the wide variety of performers in such a show? Yes, it’s a great pleasure to work with incredibly talented performers and other choreographers including professional tap dancer Adam who has performed and choreographed for many Broadway shows, Ukrainian national & Canadian National Ballet ballerina Julia, authentic flamenco choreographer and performer Sofi whose family has been dancing flamenco for generations, Blackpool Dance finalist Dora, Canadian Pole Dance judge Elisabeth and others. I feel very excited to be able to choreograph the Ballroom & Latin sections of the show while incorporating other dance elements.
Are you also performing in the Shiver Show and if so, please tell us what style of dance you will personally present? I will be presenting Ballroom & Latin. But it will not be what you’re used to seeing in dance competitions; we want to show the public that Ballroom dancing can be combined with elements of other genres such as lyrical, acrobatic, jazz and much more.
Anton with Kristina Kulikova
You’re currently a trainer and coach at Toronto’s Dance Life studio – what do you enjoy most about working with young dancers and emerging artists? What advice do you enjoy most sharing with your students? I enjoy sharing my knowledge with the younger generation and inspiring them to follow their dance dreams, like I had the ability to follow mine. I try to serve as an example that anything is possible when you focus and are ready to work hard. The best advice that I’ve received as a dancer and would like to pass on is simply…Dance and be happy!
When you take your final bow at the Shiver Show, will you be thinking of your next project and if so, what is that? To be completely honest, currently my focus is on the show and to inspire the audience with what we have created. A more long term plan is to ideally take the show on tour in 2018 and 2019 and be able to offer the cast a chance to further share their talent and passion with the world. We are excited for what is to come after the show, as it’s also adaptable to non-theater spacing and can be performed at festivals, events, on movie sets & much more!
Anton likes to dance off the stage as well!
And….do you have a website people can visit to learn more about you and your work? I’m a simple guy [smiles]. Anyone is free to contact me through Facebook- you can find me as Anton Azanov – and I’m always happy to help in any way I can. My contact details are of course also on the Shiver Website.
You can come see Anton and all the dancers and figure skaters (yes, there’s even ice skating) in the SHIVER SHOW Friday evening Feb. 9th and Saturday Feb 10th (matinee + evening show). Details and tickets are available from: www.shivershow.ca
….as well as a series of brightly coloured shots of the waters surrounding the Venetian island of Murano (below). In fact, the photos reminded me of the fine Murano glass work for which the artisans of the island became famous.
Andre was thrilled with the turnout of family, friends and fans of his work…
Snap’d newspaper photographer Kate McGartland dropped by to cover the show – here’s Andre showing her his Murano series which certainly captured her attention!
And KJ Mullins, publisher of NEWZ4U.ca also came by to cover the event, seen here below 2nd from left chatting with Wayne Abell (at left) of Urban Catering (who supplied the yummy refreshments).
Gallery director Calvin Hambrook (below left) was on hand to welcome other artists, including Tunde Omotoye (far right) who may be participating in an upcoming group show at the gallery.
Prior to the guests arriving, I managed to grab a few minutes to interview Andre ……
