Noticeboard – Natureworks

Danceworks — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:11:38 +0000

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Noticeboard – Newsletter

Danceworks — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:37:01 +0000

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Sidi Larbi Workshop Review

Alice — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:42:39 +0000

Sidi Larbi Workshop Review

Photo: Maryam Martin

“He’s a man for all seasons an amazing ambassador for a new school of contemporary arts. His words of wisdom create a painting leaving an image that will stay with the student.” ST – Professional Dancer / Teacher”

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This two day workshop led by Eastman company member Elias Lazarid gave insight to the style and creative process of working with SidiLarbi Cherkaoui the Director/choreographer of the company.

What mostly ran throughout this experience was how eclectic the influences are within Cherkaoui’s work. There were references to traditional Chinese dance, martial arts, acrobatics and breakdance, which seemed to be a reoccurring theme in his movement quality. Starting with a gentle warm up that included mobilisation and stretching exercises the focus was on the spine and how a movement starting from the neck can have a rippling effect through the entire spine and how the tailbone responds? Playing with sequential movement is another idea that comes up frequently during the day.

We worked on the concept of a never ending movement that is circular or spiralling, using the image of a zero and figures of eight, how to transfer the weight to maintain the flow of the movement. This was developed into a phrase that highlighted this element but also found moments to accent and create more dynamic within the fluidity, like punctuation marks in a sentence.

Although we worked on different tasks the contrast between fractured movement and a languid pliable quality seemed to be something that Cherkaoui likes to draw out of his dancer and resonated with me when watching his latest piecePuzzle at Sadler’s Wells later that evening. A juxtaposing of oppositions within the movement and the general East meets West philosophy behind the work is becoming an identifiable signature. The fact that he blends them so well is a credit to his craftsmanship but also perhaps also due to his Flemish/Moroccan identity.

Having only been able to attend the first day of the workshop I was left feeling very curious as to how these concepts would be develop further and how far you can take an idea and distort it whilst remaining true to what is at the basis of it. What was so interesting to see in the work but also experience in the workshop is exploring how so much variation can come from one simple idea; that everyone has the same starting point but can individuallychoose the route to explore. As a company that works with a devised processCherkaoui is more the director proposing an element and sculpting the performers material that they generate carving and manipulating as he tries to realise his vision. -Anthea, DW team

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International Dance Day

Alice — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:13:10 +0000

29th April is International Dance Day
Wind Shadow by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre- Photo Tristram Kenton
		Photo of Lin Hwai-Min by LIU Chen-hsiang
The message author of the 2013 International Dance Day is the Taiwanese choreographer LIN Hwai-min. Founder/Artistic Director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. It is said in the Great Preface of “The Book of Songs“ an anthology of Chinese poems dating from the 10th to the 7th century BC:
“The emotions are stirred and take form in words. If words are not enough, we speak in sighs. If sighs are not enough, we sing them. If singing is not enough, then unconsciously our hands dance them and our feet tap them.” Dance is a powerful expression. It speaks to earth and heaven. It speaks of our joy, our fear and our wishes. Dance speaks of the intangible, yet reveals the state of mind of a person and the temperaments and characters of a people. Like many cultures in the world, the indigenous people in Taiwan dance in circle. Their ancestors believed that evils would be kept out of the circle. With hands linked, they share the warmth of each other and move in communal pulses. Dance brings people together. And dance happens at the vanishing point. Movements disappear as they occur. Dance exists only in that fleeting instant. It is precious. It is a metaphor of life itself.” In this digital age, images of movements take millions of forms. They are fascinating. But, they can never replace dance because images do not breathe. Dance is a celebration of life. Come, turn off your television, switch off your computer, and come to dance. Express yourself through that divine and dignified instrument, which is our body. Come to dance and join people in the waves of pulses. Seize that precious and fleeting moment. Come to celebrate life with dance.”
Click here for the official International Dance Day website

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Northern Ballet

Alice — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:08:22 +0000




Northern Ballet
Exclusive full day workshop
16th May 2013
Booking soon


About Northern
Based in Leeds, Northern Ballet is the UK’s leading narrative dance company, touring extensively reaching audience throughout the UK and overseas. Headed by Artistic Director David Nixon, Northern Ballet are renowned for creating inventive narrative ballets bringing together stunning classical dance, exciting theatre and live music. This year, Northern Ballet are touring a brand new production The Great Gatsby. F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel is recreated through a unique blending of classical dance technique with popular dance styles of the ‘Roaring Twenties’.


The Great Gatsby Discover the heady, indulgent days of New York’s Long Island during the glamorous 1920s as Northern Ballet brings F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby to the stage. Nick Carraway comes to know his infamous neighbour Jay Gatsby – a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties and beautiful women. As the sparkling façade of Gatsby’s world begins to slip, Carraway comes to see the loneliness, obsession and tragedy that lies beneath. The seductive style of the era is recreated through stunning sets and costumes. Music by Academy Award nominated and BAFTA winning composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Murder on the Orient Express), will be played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. With an unparalleled reputation for telling stories through dance, Northern Ballet is the perfect company to translate this popular American novel into ballet. As The Great Gatsby steps into the spotlight, don’t miss your opportunity to see what promises to be one of the most stylish adaptations of this classic work.
Workshop Content The workshop will include a ballet technique class and learning repertoire from The Great Gatsby. Participants will have the opportunity to explore how the styles of the era are blended with classical choreography, giving an insight into the production’s creative process. The workshop will be led by Ballet Master Daniel De Andrade.
Workshop Leader Daniel De Andrade is from Brazil and first came to the UK in 1985 to finish his ballet training. Through his professional career he danced with National Ballet of Portugal, London City Ballet, Zurich Opera House Ballet, Scottish Ballet and he finally joined Northern Ballet as a principal dancer in 1995. With Northern Ballet Daniel danced the roles of Basilio in Don Quixote, Albrecht in Giselle, Romeo, Dracula and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights amongst many others. He created the roles of Don Jose in Carmen, Pip inGreat Expectations and Dr Jekyl in Jekyl and Hyde. Daniel joined Northern Ballet’s Artistic Staff under the directorship of David Nixon in 2003. As a guest teacher he has worked with Phoenix Dance Theatre, Bern Ballet, Deborah Colker Dance Company, Royal Academy of Dance, National Dance Company of Wales, Central School of Ballet and Ballet Boyz. He has recentlyrevived Massimo Morricone’s full length production of Romeo & Juliet for the Slovakian National Ballet.
In 2009 he choreographed the fight scenes while staging David Nixon’s The Three Musketeers for the Estonian Opera House Ballet. As his choreographic debut with Northern Ballet he premièred Glass Canon as the opening for the Company’s mixed programme in February 2010 and revived in 2012. Since then Daniel has choreographed Danzando Felini performed in Milan in January 2011 and Untainted Parallel in June 2011, both for Northern Ballet.In August 2011 Daniel was guest choreographer for the first Initiate Project Summer Course held in Woking and choreographed Simply Playful performed by local youngsters. He has recently produced and choreographed Northern Ballet’s contribution to the Leeds Canvas London 2012 Olympiad project entitledOverworlds & Underworlds.He was awarded the 2011/12 Dance Fellowship on the Clore Leadership Programme under the mentorship of Wayne McGregor and was seconded to Sadler’s Wells Theatre. He lives in North Yorkshire with his wife Pamela and his children Dale, Lewis, Kieran, Ellise and Madeline.

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UCLU Dance Society- Review

Alice — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:28:37 +0000

UCLU DANCE SOCIETY END OF TERM SHOW


Photo: Zhi Yang

I haven’t been in the Bloomsbury Theatre before, and was pleased to find such a cosy place to leave behind the evening’s rainy weather. This was the showcase of the Dance Society of UCLU, who we at Danceworks follow with interest, and my best friend and I were curious to see what they would come up with at the end of this term. In the event, we were delighted with the whole show. I don’t think that I have every seen a showcase with such variety of dance styles! There was everything from Ballet to Jazz, through Contemporary to Waacing! When these young emerging dancers will leave the alma mater behind, for sure they will be able pick up all kinds of jobs as professionals because of their incredibly diverse skillset. The atmosphere was fantastic and the audience raised the roof, whistling and dancing all over the theatre, including my companion! She was just jumping up and down. Great music choices, very clever routines – a great show! My personal favourite was a piece set in a library – bright coloured t-shirts, big jumps, unique choreography. With a little bit more polish these young dancers could easily audition for Got to Dance! I was proud to be there to represent Danceworks that night. Zsolti Szabo -*Membership & Creative Technical Manager*


Photo: Luke Penket	Photo: Zhao Haoyang	Photo: Zhao Haoyang	Photo: Zhao Haoyang

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Darcey Bussell

Alice — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:25:17 +0000

ENTER FREE DRAW Darcey Bussell – A Life In Pictures Book (2012)
		“A must for lovers of ballet and dance, as well as being a beautiful book to own and treasure” - Royal Opera House This book celebrates the career of Darcey Bussell, one of the greatest English ballerinas of all time. Accompanied by stunning images from some of todays leading photographers such as Mario Testino, Lord Snowdon and Mary McCartney, it chronicles Darcey from her early years through to her final performance of MacMillans Song of the Earth at the Royal Opera House in 2007. Along with images of her on stage and in costume, there are intimate behind-the-scenes photos of rehearsals and preparation. Darcey provides a fascinating insight into the ballet world, with personal anecdotes and memories of some of the most important moments in her career. It features her recent famous performances in ballets such as Swan Lake, Cinderella, Giselle, Manon, The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty. To enter this free draw email your name, address and telephone number to communications@danceworks.net by 12pm 19th April.
Darcey Bussell is the newest judge on the UK’s favourite television show Strictly Come Dancing and has achieved legendary status in the dance world over her 20 year career. At the age of 13, she was accepted into the Royal Ballet Lower School in London, eventually graduating from the Royal Ballet Upper School in 1987. Two years later at 19 years old she became the youngest ever British ballerina to be given the honour of Principal dancer and became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2006. Darcey’s final performance in 2007 was broadcast to more than 3.3 million viewers.

For more information about Darcey Bussell visit www.darceybussell.com

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Batsheva Company – The Hole

Nejat — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:10:10 +0000


The Hole by Ohad Naharin BATSHEVA Company April 2013


Batsheva Dance Company has been critically acclaimed and popularly embraced as one of the most exciting contemporary dance companies in the world. Together with its junior Batsheva Ensemble, the organization boasts a roster of 40 dancers drawn from Israel and abroad.Ohad Naharin, the Artistic Director of Bathsehva Company has been hailed as one of the world’s preeminent contemporary choreographers. Since 1990, he has guided the company with an adventurous artistic vision and reinvigorated its repertory with his captivating choreography. Naharin is also the originator of an innovative movement language, Gaga, which has enriched his extraordinary movement invention, revolutionized the company’s training, and emerged as a growing force in the larger field of movement practices for both dancers and non-dancers.His new creation The Hole will premiere in April 2013. The piece is site-specific, created especially for Batsheva’s unique Varda Studio. Collaborators in this new piece include scenery and stage designer Zohar Shoef, lighting designer Bambi (Avi Yona Bueno), and costume designer Ariel Cohen. The soundtrack is edited by Maxim Waratt. Former Batsheva Dance Company dancer Guy Shomroni is artistic assistant to Ohad Naharin and Maxim Waratt.
Danceworks presents a FULL DAY WORKSHOP with Batsheva Company 26th June 2013 The workshop will be lead by two amazing dancers from Batsheva Company. Chisato and Rebecca are both Gaga teachers and performed many works of Ohad Naharin. For further information about the workshop and the leaders please click here.

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EIC

Alice — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:15:36 +0000

EIC Dance Theatre / Meninadança Charity

EIC Dance Theatre is a Contemporary Jazz Company established by choreographer and artistic director (and Danceworks staffer) Sara dos Santos. The company’s aim is to encourage, inspire and challenge artists in the UK and internationally. EIC desires to create a unique international exchange for dancers to explore contemporary dance to its fullest potential. Offering artists the opportunity to research their own expression and vocabulary through dance. EIC has a burning passion to travel third world counties, researching and exploring how we can use this craft called dance. EIC believe young all of the world people are craving opportunities and we want to inspire and equip them to speak out and inspire change.

EIC Dance Theatre are proposing a trip to work alongside Meninadança Charity in Brazil this April 2013, a charity committed to reaching and rescuing young girls exploited in child prostitution and human trafficking www.meninadanca.org/Meninadanca/home.html

EIC’s aim is to bring hope, healing and freedom through dance movement. Three professional dance artists will be taking a trip to the Pink House in Brazil, volunteering their time and skills, teaching dance workshops in a variety of dance styles, presenting showcases & organising local festivals. Most importantly acting as positive female role models, in the hope that lives will be encouraged and dreams revived.

Join the campaign to find out more.

The Campaign: www.facebook.com/Eic.Brazil

Ways to Donate: www.gofundme.com/EIC-MeninaCampaign

Websites: www.eicdancetheatre.com & www.meninadanca.org

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Eastman – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui — Puz/zle

Alice — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:23:55 +0000


Performing at Sadler’s Wells, London: 24 April – 25 April 2013



In Puz/zle, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui returns in a more abstract fashion to the notion of the multiple and of multiplicity rooted in our thought processes and the added question of how things fit together to create a new and distinct identity (like a jigsaw puzzle). Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is intrigued by why certain connections succeed in coming together as an organic whole while others fail. And whether they actually fail or if the failure lies in our perception of order and disorder. He aims then to question the seeming importance of order and linearity and to explore if there can be more than one way of solving a puzzle, of telling a tale, of living time. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui questions and highlights the puzzles that lie behind human relations (emotional, intellectual, sexual), the morphology of the body, and intangibles like musical traditions inspired by and woven together from separate and multiple strands and traditions (so a liturgical composition sung in Spain might have Arabic roots, buried in the sands of time). With A Filetta, the Corsican polyphonic group (his companions in In Memoriam andApocrifu), the Lebanese singer Fadia Tomb El-Hage (also seen in Origine) and the Japanese percussionist and flautist Kazunari Abe by his side to dissect how a song, a composition can have various sources all at once, religious and secular, Christian and Muslim, and how traditions that we so easily name European or Oriental are never that definable and monolithic, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui salutes the delightful impurity that constitutes our lives and our planet. - Eastman -Sidi Larbi Cherkaoubi


		24 and 25 April 2013 Exclusive 2 day workshop at Danceworks led by Elias Lazaridis Since 2007 Elias Lazaridis has been based in London as a freelance dancer/dance teacher. He danced for Hofesh Shechter (Uprising/In your rooms) and Akram Khan (Vertical Road, Confluence, London 2012 Olympic Ceremony). While on tour, he provided workshops on the repertoire of both companies. Lazaridis started working with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in 2009. He performed in Das Rheingold, Babel(words) and Puz/zle. He also participated on the opening act for the movie Anna Karenina, directed by Joe Wright, which Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui choreographed. The starting points of this workshop are the ideas,which were researched when creating Puz/zle in 2012. Click here for more information

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