The 15th edition of the Dublin Dance Festival will celebrate awe-inspiring and thought-provoking dance from across the globe, taking place throughout the Irish capital May 1 – 19.
Opening with RIOT starring Panti Bliss and closing with master of contemporary dance Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, this year’s programme offers the chance to witness ground-breaking work from legendary artists. It also provides a space to contemplate the politics, environment and technology of our spinning world, and for everybody to cut loose, party and dance.
Worldwide smash hit sensation RIOT from THISISPOPBABY will launch the festival from May 1 – 4 with a bang in Vicar Street after setting hearts alight around the globe. Uniting stars of Irish stage and screen, this disorderly cocktail of bangin’ jigs, mind-blowing moves, jaw-droppingly sexy circus and gut-punching spoken word will leave audiences dazzled, dizzy and ready to change the world.
The Abbey Theatre will be home to various pioneers of the artform. Session (May 10 – 11) will see leading Irish dance artist Colin Dunne perform with Olivier Award-winning Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. In this unique exploration of movement and sound, these two performers draw on the rich rhythmical and sonic aspects of Dunne’s traditional Irish dance, joined on stage by composer Michael Gallen and musician Soumik Datta.
Former Dance Director of the Venice Biennale Virgilio Sieni makes his Irish début in the Abbey with the overwhelmingly beautiful La Natura Delle Cose (May 14 – 15). In this hypnotic and exquisite production, five dancers portray a character moving through the entire cycle of life in one hour.
An undisputed masterpiece will bring the festival to a close in the same venue – Rosas danst Rosas by Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (May 18 – 19). Created in 1983, this piece for four female dancers showcases a tension that is characteristic of De Keersmaeker’s work; where structure contrasts with emotion, and aggression with tenderness.
Another highlight of the festival is Phoenix by Eric Minh Cuong Castaing, taking place in the Project Arts Centre on May 11. A collaboration between French and Palestinian artists, the show starts playfully, as drones on stage interact with three performers. Then a live connection is made via Skype with artists in Gaza who live with the constant threat and roar of drones. They share their dances and experiences – their artform, an act of resistance.
The festival has an excellent programme of events for younger audiences too. The gorgeous playful adventure W.A.M. We Are Monchichi by company Wang Ramirez is for ages 7+, but is sure to delight little ones and grown-ups alike. Presented at the O’Reilly Theatre May 11 – 12, two performers mix storytelling, hip-hop, classical and contemporary dance, as they playfully search for harmony in today’s multicultural world.
These are just some of the many enthralling events set to take place at Dublin Dance Festival 2019, with a jam-packed programme including stunning performances, an epic hip-hop battle in Temple Bar, film screenings, workshops, discussions, free family events and lots more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit dublindancefestival.ie.
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