Although the Pan Am Games focuses on sporting displays of athleticism, the arts and entertainment program, dubbed Panamania, features equally world-class performances, including dancer Greta Hodgkinson, who will be showing off her athleticism in a daring dance number called Venom, set to the music of Maurice Ravel’s Bolero.

Venom, choreographed by fellow National Ballet of Canada dancer Guillaume Côté, has only been performed on one other occasion — at the company’s 60th anniversary Diamond Gala.

“It’s just a good and very enjoyable piece,” says Hodgkinson. “When we first were talking about what we could do for the Games, this piece popped into our minds as something that would work well in the venue.”

Hodgkinson will be joined by four male National Ballet dancers for Venom, which will be performed at Nathan Phillips Square during the Games on July 13 to 15 and 17 to 18.

“It’s something that, you know, we’re really committed to doing: trying to bring ballet mainstream, reaching audiences, and it’s something I’m particularly passionate about,” says the veteran dancer, who will soon be celebrating her 25th season with the National Ballet. “It’s a great opportunity to get outside the theatre. The conditions might not always be ideal, but I think it’s possible, and we’re going to prove it’s possible to bring dance to many different people that maybe can’t come to the theatre for different reasons.”

Venom expands upon the growing resumé of dancer Guillaume Côté, who continues to make a name for himself as a bold and creative choreographer. 

Hodgkinson and Côté just finished another well-received production together, Being and Nothingness, which was originally conceived as a solo work designed for Hodgkinson but was expanded upon for the recent National Ballet of Canada season.

“Working with him is really such a joy,” says Hodgkinson. “He’s extremely creative, and his choreography is intensely musical.”