In celebration of the spirit of movement, da:ns festival invited me to 10 days of dance that has inspired and lifted my heart. From the fiery footwork of Brazilian dancers from Grupo Corpo, to joyous freedom expressed by Ireland’s Fabulous Beast, da:ns brought us some of the most exciting companies from around the world. I managed to attend a few days and it was really uplifting for me.
THERE IS AN OLD SAYING, to watch someone dance is to hear his heart speak. Dance reflects the spirit of a culture and its people; through movement and rhythm, we feel the pulse of different communities.
Last here in 2006, the dancers of Brazilian company Grupo Corpo return with their fiery fusion of ballet and Afro-Brazilian rhythm. Then, in their first flamenco gala, four Spanish masters from different generations bare the passion of their souls. Ireland’s Fabulous Beast move with celebratory zest to the lively tunes of Celtic music while, closer to home, Cambodia’s Amrita Performing Arts offer a contemporary take on Cambodian classical dance, combining athleticism, mimicry and modern influences in their simian impressions.
They are also proud to present two festival commissions that showcase Asian choreographers: artists-in- residence Ming Poon and Scarlet Yu take us into the intimate process of two dancers developing a duet. And with effortless cool, Japan’s Hiroaki Umeda heralds the next generation of contemporary dance with his mastery of digital technology and his blend of classical meets hip hop.
All around Esplanade, there is much to discover: dive into the ancient dance heritage of Asia in Rasas; be introduced to dance forms as diverse as Argentine tango and Viennese waltz at What’s Your Move; or, for those with some dance experience, join the international artists at our masterclasses for some valuable pointers and insights.
This da:ns festival, as we traverse the world through different dance communities, they hope we find something that speaks to us, that will inspire us and reinvigorate our love for dance.
