January 2010 - Dance Ireland

JANUARY 2010dance ireland NEWS

Dance Ireland is the trading name of the Association of Professional Dancers in Ireland Ltd. Established in 1989, DanceIreland is a membership-led organisation, operating on an all-Ireland basis, dedicated to the promotion of professional dancepractice in Ireland. Incorporated in 1992 as a not-for-profit company with limited guarantee, the organisation has evolvedinto a national, umbrella resource whose core aims are the promotion of dance as a vibrant art form, the provision ofsupport and practical resources for professional dance artists through our training and development programmes andadvocacy on dance and choreography issues.Dance Ireland manages DanceHouse, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art dance rehearsal venue, located in the heart ofDublin’s north-east inner city. DanceHouse is at the heart of Dance Ireland activities, as well as being a home for professionaldance artists and the wider dance community. Studios are available for hire. In addition to hosting our artistic programmeof professional training and development, performances, exhibitions, special events and a fully equipped artists’ resourceroom, DanceHouse offers a range of evening classes to cater to the interests and needs of the general public.BOARD MEMBERSAdrienne Brown Chairperson, Cindy Cummings, Megan Kennedy Secretary,Lisa McLoughlin, Anne Maher, Fearghus Ó Conchúir.DANCE IRELAND PERSONNELPaul Johnson, Chief ExecutiveSiân Cunningham, General ManagerAudrey Houdart, Artistic Programme ManagerInga Byrne, AdministratorBrenda Crea & Glenn Montgomery, Receptionists/Administrative AssistantsDance Ireland, DanceHouse, Foley Street, Dublin 1.Tel: 01 855 8800 Fax: 01 819 7529Email: info@danceireland.ie Website: www.danceireland.ieDance Ireland News is published 12 times a yearPublished by Dance Ireland, DanceHouse, Foley St, Dublin 1, Ireland.Printed by CRM Design + Print, Unit 6, Bridgecourt Office Park, Walkinstown Ave., Dublin 12, Ireland.ISSN 1649-9506DisclaimerDance Ireland reserves the right to edit or amend all articles or notices published in this magazine. The viewsexpressed are those of contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Dance Ireland members.Cover: Faun, CoisCéim Dance Theatre CompanyPhoto: Zoetrope Arts PRDeadlines for next edition:February 2010 Copy & Photos: Friday 08 January Inserts: Friday 15 JanuaryAll photos submitted must be accompanied by appropriate credits and acknowledgements2

NewsINTRODUCTIONHappy New Year; welcome to another action-packed issue of Dance Ireland News. Enclosed we carry news ofperformances, tours and training opportunities from our members throughout the country.Our programme kicks off with three weeks of morning classes taught by International Associate Artist TedStoffer; a unique pilot series of writing workshops with Jeffrey Gormly and a members’ forum meeting. The full2010 Dance Ireland programme will be announced in February; in the meantime, the latest information isavailable from our website: www.danceireland.ie, which also contains online bulletin board, members’ directoryand calendar.Performance highlights this month include new works from CoisCéim (Project Arts Centre), Fidget Feet (CivicTheatre, Tallaght) and the Culture Ireland Contemporary Dance Showcase which takes place in New York on 09and 10 January at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. The showcase coincides with the APAP conference and featureswork from Daghdha Dance Company, Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre, Fearghus Ó Conchúir and Rex Levitates.Following an Open Call, the programme was selected by a panel comprising representatives from BaryshnikovCenter, Culture Ireland, Dance Ireland and Dublin Dance Festival.What shall we resolve for 2010? What potential does the year hold, and what threats? For most, January is a timefor the turning of a new page, a fresh start, new promises, hopes and dreams. It is also a time of fears for theworld and those we love. To this end we invite you all to attend a members’ forum meeting on Thursday 28January at 12 noon at DanceHouse. Following on from the series of meetings we hosted last year – members’feedback suggests these gatherings are of enormous benefit – especially at a time of scarce resources anduncertainty. The members’ forum meeting is an opportunity to come together, share issues of concern and findsupport. Also, by that time, we will all have a clearer idea of our funding position for the year and its impact onour plans.But before we become too focused on the year ahead – we include our 2009 Activity Report. This time last year,we convened a members’ meeting and the landscape looked bleak – however as the Activity Reportdemonstrates – 2009 was another year of growth and development not only for Dance Ireland but for thedance sector as a whole – work got made and seen – albeit on a smaller scale than we would have all liked.We also enclose your copy of a commissioned essay from dance writer Michael Seaver who presents aninteresting take on the current state of dance: Counting Capital: The Real Value of Dance in Irish Society. This is thefirst in a planned series of essays and special events leading up to our 21st anniversary celebrations in 2013.DANCE COUNTS 2008 update; despite a positive welcome at the AGM for statistical information on thenumbers involved in dance activity, we only received a 15% response to our survey questionnaire to date. Thisis not a usable representative sample.Just to give a sense of the potential of DANCE COUNTS: the overall totals line is quite interesting - 15% of ourmembership spent almost €4 million, hired 235 dancers and employed 227 others. That 15% had audiences of nearly44,000 and dance class attendances also nearly 44,000. Outreach activities involved more than 15,500 people.These are big figures for only 15% response. In order for the survey to have credibility – we need a 50% orgreater response. Over the coming weeks we will be in contact, so expect a call or email. We aim to publish theresults in February.3

DANCE IRELAND PROGRAMMEPROFESSIONAL MORNING CLASSProfessional morning classes recommence onMonday 11 January with Ted Stoffer teachingdaily for three weeks. Ted is one of ourInternational Associate Artists, working inresidence at DanceHouse with collaboratorSayaka Kaiwa. This is an excellent opportunityto enter into their choreographic process over athree-week period. The classes will investigaterhythm, resonance, and tension, awareness ofspace and use of weight.Professional morning classes, workshops andmaster-classes will continue throughout theyear; we aim to bring you a variety of styles anda range of national and international teachers,including Elizabeth Corbett, CatherinePlomteux, Mariah Maloney and Iñaki Azpillaga.Our 2010 programme will be announced inmore detail in February; in the meantime, thelatest information is posted daily onwww.danceireland.ie.And for those outside Dublin, we will continueproviding access to weekly professional-levelclasses in Belfast, Cork, Tralee and Wexford, inaddition to supporting a number of DARIweekend workshops and other opportunitiesas they arise, around the country. Furtherinformation and contact details on regionalclasses are available from our website or seeclass listings on the back page.And remember, to enjoy the varietyand flexibility of our trainingprogramme at reduced rates, buy a5-class card or a 10-class card anduse it for any professional morningclass or open company class.Ted StofferINTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATE ARTISTTed Stoffer11 – 29 JanuaryDance Ireland’s 2010 programme kicks off withInternational Associate Artist, Ted Stoffer inresidence from 11 to 29 January, working withJapanese dancer Sayaka Kaiwa. A core part ofthe residency is creative sharing, to this end Tedand Sayaka will also teach morning class forthree weeks.Ted Stoffer formed Aphasia Dance Company in1998 to create a framework in which toinvestigate the language of the human body.He believes in observation of rhythms ofbreath, thought, action, reaction andcontemplation in the initiation of one’s intentallows for universalism in individual expression.He has danced with Scapino Ballet Rotterdam,Rambert Dance Company, Sasha Waltz & Guestsand Les Ballets C de la B. He teaches regularlyfor Ultima Vez, Rosas, Charleroi Danses, SashaSource: Ted Stoffer4

Source: Sayaka KaiwaSayaka KaiwaWaltz & Guests and conducts variousworkshops throughout the world.Sayaka Kaiwa was born in Japan, lived andeducated in Japan, Thailand, USA (HampshireCollege and New York City) and Belgium. Aftergraduating from P.A.R.T.S. in 2006, she workedas a freelance dancer in Germany, Denmark, andBelgium. In 2008, she became a choreographicassistant to Ted Stoffer and Veronika Riz. Shesees physical movement as a basis ofcommunication and dance as a fundamentalform of universal expressionThe International Associate Artist Programmewas established in 2008 to give internationaldance artists the opportunity to critically reflecton their artistic practice and take time, inresidence at DanceHouse, to further developtheir own unique artistic process. And at thesame time, create opportunities to connectwith Irish dance artists. The aim of theprogramme is to strengthen internationalcontacts, promote creative exchanges andfacilitate dialogue among dance artistsnationally and internationally.The International Associate Artist Programmewill continue in 2010 with Hanneke Hansen(USA) in residence in the spring and AnnabelleBonnery (FR) in residence in the autumn.www.danceireland.ieTHINKING, TALKING,WRITING DANCEA pilot writing project, led by Jeffrey Gormly29 January 12 - 4pm26 February 12 - 4pm26 March 12 - 4pmDance Ireland wishes to support a communityof writers who engage in ideas about their ownartistic practice, and the creative work of othersacross a wide range of disciplines. JeffreyGormly, editor of choreograph.net, will bring hisexperience as writer, dramaturge, editor andcultural producer to a process of discoveringwhile addressing the needs of creativeproducers.The aim of the pilot is to identify and addressthe needs of creative artists around writing. It isacknowledged that there are three generalaspects to the use of writing in artisticprofessional practice and development:Writing as process: use of notebooks,reading and research as part of thecreation of artistic material;Writing as interface: creation of texts forpublicity, marketing, and artisticproposals;Discursive practices as a means ofdeveloping artistic ‘working friendships’,community and eliciting feedback:blogging, article writing, dialogical anddiscursive formats.This pilot will involve raw thinking and talking,note-taking, discussion, and development of acritical, associative field of ideas relating to theparticular thoughts and ideas occupying eachparticipant’s mind. The programme alsoincorporates space /time for free dance as anessential and constructive part of an embodiedthinking process. The final session of theworkshop will include publishing texts andimages produced by the participants in a rawthinking thread on choreograph.net, for thosehappy to do so.5

Open to all creative artists interested inexploring and developing their writingpractice; €10 per workshop or sign-up for allthree and pay €25. As places are limited, pleasereserve your place by calling 01 855 8800 oremail reception@danceireland.ie.uncertainty. The members’ forum meeting is anopportunity to come together, share issues ofconcern and maybe initiate a new idea or two.Also, by that time, we will all have a clearer ideaof our funding position for the year and itsimpact on our plans.MEMBERS’ FORUM MEETING28 January12 noonDanceHouseWhat shall we resolve for 2010? What potentialdoes the year hold, and what threats? For most,January is a time for the turning of a new page,a fresh start, new promises, hopes and dreams.It is also a time of fears for the world and thosewe love. To this end we invite you all to attend amembers’ forum meeting on Thursday 28January.Following on from the series of meetings wehosted last year – members’ feedback suggeststhese gatherings are of enormous benefit –especially at a time of scarce resources andDance Irelandnow accepts paymentby credit andlaser card.Source: Maurice GunningLimerick Forum, October 20096

COMPANY NEWSCOISCÉIM DANCE THEATREAs You Are / Faun14 January – 13 FebruaryTouringwww.coisceim.comCelebrating 15 years of award-winningproductions, CoisCéim doubles up in the NewYear with two new shows and a national tour.As You Are by Muirne BloomerWho would you rather be Superman or ClarkeKent? We all want to stand out from the crowd– but are we willing to pay the price? In MuirneBloomer’s quirky world, six extraordinaryindividuals are tested to the limit as theystruggle for control over themselves and eachother.Faun by David BolgerNijinsky was worshipped as the greatest dancerof the twentieth century, but audiences riotedwhen they saw his first ballet, L’après midi d’unFaune. It is hard to tell what shocked audiencesmost, the bare feet, shameless sensuality orrevolutionary dance style. Mixing Debussy’sfamous score with Queen, David Bolgerexplores how dance still reconnects us with ourfeelings and imagination. But if nothing shocksus any more, how can we ever really break free?Workshops often take place on the morning ofor the afternoon/evening before the date ofthe show but can be arranged at a date andtime to suit individual groups. Workshops arefree of charge to groups of 15 or more whohave purchased tickets to see the show at theirlocal venue.Required: well lit, heated space with woodenfloor ideally and a 13 amp socket, water to beavailable for participants. CoisCéim will bringmusic system.Dance TalksCombining slideshow, video screening andmovement demonstration, Dance Talks is aninteractive session led by Philippa Donnellan,Director of CoisCéim Broadreach. The talkdiscusses Nijinski’s L’aprés midi d’un Faun whichcaused uproar when first received by the publicin 1912. Pushing the boundaries as to how faran artist could go for his art, Nijinsky’s ballet isnow considered to be one of the greatestachievements in modern theatre. In Bolger’scontemporary retelling of the story hetransports the themes and emotions of theoriginal to evoke a new, other worldly visualbeauty.Dance WorkshopsCoisCéim will be conducting enjoyable danceworkshops in which participants can try simplewarm-up exercises and dance sequences fromthe show which are easy to learn and fun to do.Each workshop is led by a professional dancerwith CoisCéim Dance Theatre. Workshops canbe pitched toward any age group ranging from14 – 100 years! No prior experience isnecessary.FaunSource: Zoetrope Art PR7

Further information & booking for workshopsor talks contact Philippa Donnellan on 01 8780558 or email philippa@coisceim.com.DAGHDHA DANCE COMPANYRollingUnfringed Festival29 January @ 8pmDaghdha Space, St. John’s churchTickets available on the door and through theBelltable box officewww.daghdha.ieDaghdha invites you to the premiere of Rolling(Limerick) a new quarterly performance seriesto take place within Daghdha Space in 2010.Guest artist Chase Granoff (New York) has beenworking with Daghdha Dance Company onseveral occasions since 2007. In Rolling he willwork in partnership with numerous artists atDaghdha to curate a unique night ofexperimental dance, performance andchoreography that promises to be energetic,lively and enjoyable. The evening will feature anarray of different artistic works bound byproposition set out by Chase beforehand.We are delighted in having a bright mind likeChase supporting and invigorating the creativeprocess here at Daghdha. He is one of the ones towatch in New York’s art scene as he has alreadymade a name for himself through his informed,contemporary and physical engagement withdance. Michael Kliën, Artistic DirectorRolling will be a series of regular public eventspresenting the results of the challenging workof all the artists working at Daghdha. There willbe four nights of performances throughout2010, allowing local and national audiences anongoing insight into Daghdha’s artistic mindsin an accessible, yet focused manner. For eachedition of Rolling an experienced artist willcurate the evening in close collaborations witheveryone working at Daghdha. For furtherdetails phone 061 467872 or e-mailmail@daghdha.ie.www.danceireland.ieDance Theatre of IrelandDANCE THEATRE OF IRELANDHandle With CareTouring late 2010www.dancetheatreireland.comDance Theatre of Ireland continues rehearsalsfor their 2010 creation Handle With Care(working title) which will premiere later thisyear. Initial research and rehearsals began inNovember 2009 with dancers Mirjam Gurtner,Cosimo de Tommaso, Iker Arrue, and Laura Vilar.Rehearsals will re-commence with additionalcollaborators in 2010. The new work,choreographed by Artistic Directors RobertConnor and Loretta Yurick, is about both ourvulnerabilities and ecstatic states and the fineline between love and loss, life and death. Theprogramme also includes the commission of anew duet by choreographer Nick Bryson.In addition, Block Party! Dance Theatre ofIreland’s outdoor performance which was partof the Dancing Cities network last year inLondon, has received several invitations fromfestivals nationally and internationally. TheCompany will be touring the work, which starsgigantic toy blocks, 6 dancers and 3 drummers,throughout Ireland, UK and Korea in 2010.Dance Theatre of Ireland is also conductingworkshops throughout the country as part oftheir Dance Performance Outreach Programme(DANCE POP). They will be teaching in schoolsin Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny andTipperary as part of the Southeast SchoolsInitiative, with residencies culminating ininformal performances.Source: Dance Theatre of Ireland8

Dance Theatre of Ireland’s new January term ofclasses starts 20 January and enrolment is nowon. The 10-week term includes daytime,weekend & evening classes. New classes thisterm include Modern Dance for 5-7 year oldsand their parents, Capoeira the Brazilian MartialArt/Dance and Zumba, the latest ragecombining a number of dance styles(Raggaeton, Salsa, Hip Hop and more). Otherclasses include Contemporary, Modern/HipHop, Cardio Salsa & Salsa, Yoga, Pilates & Dance,Body Conditioning & Contemporary Dance,Ballet, Ballroom & Social Dancing and BellyDance. For further information, enrolmentdetails and complete listings call 01 280 3455;e-mail info@dancetheatreireland.com or visitwww.dancetheatreireland.com.DUBLIN DANCE FESTIVALProgramme HighlightsDublin Dance Festival 201007 – 22 Maywww.dublindancefestival.ieDublin Dance Festival (DDF) is delighted toannounce that Raimund Hoghe, the influentialGerman choreographer who presented SwanLake, 4 Acts at IDFI 2006, will return to DDF 2010with his work, Young People, Old Voices. As thecentrepiece of DDF 2010, Young People, OldVoices portrays a poignant contrast betweenHoghe’s solemn performance quality andphysicality and the youth and vitality of the castof eight young people with whom he sharesthe stage. Many other works in the 2010programme will also engage with ideas of ageand its representation in dance. Young People,Old Voices will run at the Samuel BeckettTheatre, Trinity College on 18 & 19 May.In a contrasting strand, Jean Butler will presenta new work created by New Yorkchoreographer Tere O’Connor andcommissioned by the Abbey Theatre. Movingbeyond her traditional dance background, thiswork will push the boundaries of Butler’sartistry even further into the contemporaryrealm. This world premiere will take place at thePeacock Theatre from 19 – 22 May.The full DDF 2010 programme will beannounced at the end of February, if you wishto be among the first to know what’s on themenu, sign up to our mailing list now atwww.dublindancefestival.ie.DANCE ON FILMJérôme Bel’s Véronique Doisneau (2004)31 January @ 4pmLight House Cinema SmithfieldFree admissionVéronique Doisneau was a member of the corpsde ballet of the Paris Opera Ballet, a career balletdancer, but never the étoile. This work byJérôme Bel was made as Doisneau wasapproaching 42, POB’s mandatory retirementage. On a bare stage, Doisneau sketches out herlife as a dancer. She dances short sections of herfavourite works, among them La Bayadére,Giselle and Merce Cunningham’s Points in Space.Both humorous and poignant, Bel’s film revealsthe person behind the facade of the mutelygraceful corps.A panel discussion on the topic ‘CareerTransitions in Dance’ will follow the screening.Panellists include Joanna Banks, College ofDance; Finola Cronin, UCD; Paul Johnson, DanceIreland, Jenny Roche, Dance Advisor to the ArtsCouncil and Davide Terlingo, Head of Dance, theArts Council.This free event has been made possible thanksto the support of Alliance Française. This eventis free but ticketed. Tickets can be booked inadvance by phoning 01 879 7601 or collectedfrom the Light House Box Office.ECHO ECHODANCE THEATRE COMPANYContact Improvisation with Andjela Doni16 & 17 January11am - 5pmEcho Echo Dance Studio, Waterside Theatre,Derry.£40/£20 concessioninfo@echoechodance.comEcho Echo is delighted to welcome AndjelaDoni to Ireland for a one-off contactimprovisation weekend workshop. Andjela9

Source: Echo EchoSource: Fearghus Ó ConchúirAndjela DoniDoni is a dance improviser, choreographer andteacher of contact improvisation andcontemporary dance. She is also the organiserof the internationally renowned annualMoscow Contact Improvisation andPerformance Festival.Andjela says, I cannot say – I teach contact. Ishare contact improvisation, I share my self, Ishare what my teachers taught meThe Echo Echo Dance ensemble will participatein the workshop and would love to meet anddance with other artists from across Ireland. Tofind out more information or to book a placevisit www.echoechodance.com.Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company’s 2010programme of weekly classes begins duringthe week of 25 January. Full details of all of theclasses are available on their website.FEARGHUS Ó CONCHÚIRwww.bodiesandbuildings.blogspot.comFinding out new things and sharing them withothers drives Fearghus’ work as achoreographer. After a year where he hadprojects and performances in Dublin, Fingal,Edinburgh, Beijing, Holyoke and London, 2010starts with more travel and an exploration ofnew opportunities.Culture Ireland has organised a showcase ofIrish choreography in New York as part of APAP,a gathering of American presenters. At a timewhen Ireland’s economic reputation isTravelling the Space Togethertarnished, it’s very important to have anopportunity to share abroad our wealth ofartistic talent. Fearghus is gathering the Nichedancers to perform a 15-minute extract of thepiece alongside work by Daghdha, Dylan Quinnand Rex Levitates. It seems right to be revisitingthe piece in this economic climate, since Nichecelebrates our resilience and resourcefulness intimes of change. They will be performing Nicheagain in March, working with local dancers ineach location to integrate something new intothe choreographic structure. Dun Laoghaire,Tralee, Cork, Sligo and Limerick – we’re comingto learn from you.Fearghus will return from New York direct toDaghdha’s studios in Limerick where he isspending two weeks in residency with theperformance artist Robert Lima. Fearghus mether last year on a residency in Beijing andworked on a short video piece. They will bespending the time that Daghdha hasgenerously provided to investigate how theymight collaborate on a new piece.FIDGET FEET AERIAL DANCECOMPANY27 December – 09 JanuaryCivic Theatre, Tallaghtwww.fidgetfeet.comFidget Feet are busy performing their coproductionThe Snow Queen with An GrianánTheatre, as part of their tenth anniversarycelebrations. An Grianán Theatre10

Source: Jym DalySnow Queencommissioned a new version of The SnowQueen which was premiered at their theatrefrom 04 – 20 December, followed by a run inThe Civic Theatre, Tallaght from 27 December -09 January. The Snow Queen featuresspectacular aerial theatrics; for information andbooking visit: www.snowqueen.ie.Coming up, Fidget Feet with Lee Clayden will beback in residence at Shawbrook working on anew aerial duet and creating a new piece onthe Shawbrookians from January until April.There will be an open performance onThursday 08 April as part of Longford DanceFest.FIRKIN CRANEBlank Canvas 09 / 10www.firkincrane.ieFirkin Crane celebrated the finale of BlankCanvas 2009 at the end of November with anoutstanding sharing from Australia’s PhluxusDance Collective presenting Boiling Point a workin progress & excerpts of their award winningThe Machine that Carries the Soul. Surrenderingto the weather and subsequent water crisis inCork, it was with great regret that Firkin Cranewas forced to cancel their mini InternationalDance Programme of evening performances byPhluxus (Australia) and Nemian Danza (Mexico)Phluxus Dance Collectiveleaving them more determined than ever tobring international and Irish artists together inthis year’s programme of contemporary dance.For Blank Canvas 2010, Firkin Crane received 52applications from all over the globe. The panelselection process is now underway and we willannounce successful applicants early in 2010.Blank Canvas 2009 provided a memorableopportunity for 11 artists/companies to exploreand develop their artistic processes within asupported, flexible framework.Finally, Firkin Crane would also like to take thisopportunity to invite professional artists tobecome a member of Open Floor.OPEN FLOOR @ Firkin CraneAnnual Membership Fee: €52Open Floor has been introduced as aninvaluable resource opportunity forprofessional dance artists and thosepassionate about dance. It provides usefulgenerative opportunities to all theirmembers in support of developing artists’craft through access to the valuableresources at the Firkin Crane including manymembership benefits.An application form, including terms andconditions, is now available for Open Floor,suitable for any artists interested in dance.Contact Jane/Maria on dance@firkincrane.ieor phone 021 4507487.Source: Marisa Cuzolarro11

Source: Junk EnsembleDrinking DustJUNK ENSEMBLEFive Ways to Drownwww.junkensemble.comjunk ensemble has recently returned from theCulturel Centre Irlandais, Paris, completing thelast leg of their international tour of DrinkingDust. They subverted the gallery space to maketwo separate spaces and added another levelwhich altered the space completely. The showwas sold-out on both nights to a wonderfullyappreciative and congratulatory audience. LyricFM and The Irish Independent were in Paris tocover Drinking Dust.…Drinking Dust is a cunningly elusivepiece...highly memorable imagery…The Herald, Scotland…fantastical, slightly eerie yet heartfelt andmoving atmosphere. Impressive…The Irish HeraldListed as an Irish Times highlight in 2008,Drinking Dust premiered in the Dublin FringeFestival and has toured to The Arches TheatreFestival in Glasgow, Dublin Dance Festival (Re-Presenting Ireland) and Teatromania Festival inPoland with the support of Culture Ireland.junk ensemble are currently working on theirupcoming production, Five Ways to Drown.Keep an eye out.www.danceireland.ieLIADAIN SPERANZA HERRIOTTLooking Bak & Looking ForwardLooking back 2009 has been a busy year forLiadain. Thanks to the support of the ArtsCouncil, she set off to research ancient folkloricdance in southern India. While there she wasinvited to make a piece for the freshly formed,Bangalore Dance Collective (BDC). In less thanthree weeks she choreographed a 25-minuteseries of duets called Two which wereperformed on 28 March as part of BDC’s festival,New Trash.The process of making Two was a wonderfulexperience for Liadain, teaching her about herskills and capacities as a choreographer. Herpresent inspiration in creating movementstems from observing the gestures thatsurround us in everyday life. Two is a dancetheatre piece made about human relationships.One duet is about joy, based on the movementthat laughter produces, and the differentpitches of laughter. Another is about pain,taking a close look at all that can come frompinching your partner’s arm.Liadain went from Bangalore to Broadway in anexchange with Movement Research, NYC. Sheshowed the next part of her choreographictrilogy, One, a solo about being alone, at DanceTheater Workshop. While she was there shealso performed with Artichoke Dance Companyand Pavel Zustiak’s company Palissimo, atJudson Church. She investigated the work atChez Bushwick and that of Michael Alan(www.michaelalanart.com). Liadain plans toreturn to contribute to their performanceplatforms.TwoSource: Liadain Speranza Herriott12

On returning to Europe Liadain attended anintensive workshop, Deltebre Dansa, run bychoreographer and dancer Roberto Olivan(www.deltebredansa.com). She was amongone hundred dance and circus artists selectedfrom across Europe to train 6 hours a day invarious techniques including yoga, break danceand martial arts over. Twenty five performerswere selected to take part in a creation directedby Roberto Magro (director of Torino’s circusschool) over the two-week period. Liadain tookpart in creating and performing Cartoon - apiece about cartoon as a material versusinterpreting what it is to be a cartoon. Shewishes to thank the Arts Council for theirsupport which enabled her attend DeltebreDansa.In September, Liadain was asked to create andperform a solo as part of an inter-disciplinaryfestival in Brussels (www.brxlbravo.be). LaPoupette was presented as part of2dance4hours, a 24-hour marathon of soloscreated in the city’s beautiful renovated culturalcenter, Les Brigittines. This event was curatedby choreographer and P.A.R.T.S. teacher, DavidHernandez with whom she had worked fiveyears ago.Liadain is currently creating a solo entitledManicure through the space provided byGenesis Project Dublin. She is delighted to betaking part in Genesis and looks forward toseeing where 2010 will bring her.MYRIAD DANCEwww.myriaddance.com.Are you interested in making dance happenand matter in 2010? Myriad Dance aredelighted to announce its new plans whichinclude, a new adult contemporary class, a newMyriad Mentoring Programme, a new series ofclasses for children & youth and newInnerscapes Saturday shorts during February &March. And you can be part of making all thishappen.After years of working and training freelancedance artists, Myriad Dance are delighted tooffer a structured mentoring and trainingMyriad Danceprogramme to the dance community throughthe Myriad Mentoring Programme. They areseeking expressions of interest from danceartists who would like to gain furtherexperience and who are particularly keen towork with them on their 2010 PerformanceInitiatives and Education & CommunityProgramme. Working as part of a dynamicteam, successful programme participants willbe mentored by the Education & OutreachDirector, Joke Verinden and Artistic Director,Deirdre Grant and gaining a valuable insightinto their educational & performance ethos.A new year also brings a new term of classes &workshops and this month all of their weeklychildren & adult classes will recommence in theWexford Opera House and TempleshannonCDP in Enniscorthy. New to their schedule thisterm is a 7-week introductory adultcontemporary class led by Monika Bieniek.In early January, as part of their extensiveOutreach Programme Joke Verlinden & DeirdreGrant will blitz and facilitate creative danceworkshops to County Wexford primary &secondary schools over a 10 day period. Inaddition to these workshops, they will alsocommence 3 urban & rural dance projects inWexford, Enniscorthy and Ramsgrange as partof the County Wexford Community ArtsNetwork (CWCAN). Other exciting workshops tolook out for during their spring term is theirInnerscape programme, movementSource: Padraig Grant13

investigation workshops for professional danceand movement based artists. In FebruaryDeirdre Grant will commence the first of aseries of Innerscapes Saturday shorts. Deirdrewill focus on instinctual movement practice,using improvisation, play and somatic studymaterial to explore.For further information:www.myriaddance.com.MYRIAD DANCE COMPANYOpen Call for Mentoring Programme 2010Myriad Dance is seeking expressions ofinterest from dance artists who are lookingto gain further experience in theprofessional sector and who are particularlykeen to work on their 2010 performanceinitiatives and education & communityprogramme.Each of their Mentoring Programmes areindividually tailored and will cover areassuch as dance performance, movementexploration & choreographic methodology,children & youth dance, dance in educationand several dance outreach initiatives.Email your expression of interest & CV toJoke Verlinden, Education & OutreachDirector to jo@myriaddance.com. Closingdate is Monday 18 January 2010.For an information sheet, log on to ourwebsite www.myriaddance.com or call Jokeon 053 9174668.OTHER DANCE NEWSCHOREOGRAPH.NETSCREEN GRABSDue to popular demand, we are delighted tocontinue to carry monthly extracts and screengrabs, as selected by Jeffrey Gormly editor ofchoreograph.net from the website for theinterest of the wider Dance Ireland Newsreadership.Streaming Nothing Fieldswww.choreograph.net…the soft geometries of body is in motion.move meant I mean. meant. dancing while thealarm bells ring and the worldview burns.dancing all we’ve built into conflagration .climbing onto a magic carpet space floor danceship and driving it with our own freedom upand up and up. dance is an anti-gravity machinesent back from the beginning end of time toshow us the edges of things. the shadowthrown by reality onto the backdrop of what…?wavefronts of possibility ripple out from thedancing body and collapse inside myperceptual apparatus. my body becomeswhole, sensing, a whole surface,skintinglistening attention. I remember that it ispossible to be this way. it is possible to be alive.this death thing:… it’s just a thing. it doesn’thave to be me.From streaming nothing fields by Jeffrey Gormly.DANCE RESEARCH FORUM IRELANDThird International Conference24 –27 JuneThe Firkin Crane, CorkFirst Call for Proposalswww.danceresearchforumireland.orgDance Research Forum Ireland (DRFI) invitesproposals for its 3rd International Conference:Capturing Composition: Improvisation in DanceResearch and Practice. The conference, inkeeping with the aims and objectives of DRFI,provides a platform for both dance academicsand dance artists in Ireland and abroad.Included in its programme are academic-basedpaper presentations, practice-based researchpresentations, lecture demonstrations, danceworkshops, a student poster exhibition, anddance performance contributions.The conference explores improvisation indance research and practice. What isimprovisation and how relevant is it to dance14

esearch and practice? Is improvisation asubjective experience; a creative tool; a mode ofperformance - or all or none of the above? Howis improvisation transmitted? Whatmethodologies or techniques are used or arebeing developed; and how is improvisationdocumented? What or who are the primary andsecondary sources?Broadly defined as ‘spontaneous composition’,improvisation has always been an integral partof dance practice. The aim of this conference isto identify and document how and whereimprovisation has been, and is being, used indance practice; and its relevance andimportance in dance research and dancepractice as research.DRFI invites proposals for the conference in theform of academic-based paper presentations,practice-based research presentations, lecturedemonstrations, dance workshops, a studentposter exhibition, and dance performancecontributions. Abstracts of presentationsaddressing the above or any other topicrelevant to the theme of the conferenceshould be forwarded electronically in RichText Format to Ms. Carmel McKenna,Secretary DRFI, at carmel.mckenna@lit.ie ormckennadance@gmail.com.Forum Ireland said following years of effort, theNational Dance Archive of Ireland is nowbecoming a reality; it is a historic moment for alldance in Ireland. Dance Research Forum Irelandowes an enormous debt of gratitude to the ArtsCouncil for the awarding of this seed funding.The report, written by dance historianDr Victoria O’Brien, established the existence ofa wealth of dance archival material, which todate has been difficult to access. Since thecompletion of the feasibility report, DanceResearch Forum Ireland together with the IrishWorld Academy of Music and Dance, theGlucksman Library at the University of Limerick,and the Arts Council have worked togethertowards the establishment of an accessibledance archive.Commenting on the announcement, Mícheál ÓSúilleabháin, Professor of Music and Director ofthe Irish World Academy of Music and Dance atthe University said: The establishment of theDance Archive of Ireland at the University ofLimerick, is a direct follow on from the inspiredand inclusive vision of Dance Research ForumIreland, across ballet, contemporary, traditional,popular and world dance genres.UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICKDance Archive of IrelandThe University of Limerick recently announcedthe establishment of Ireland’s first nationaldance archive to be based at the GlucksmanLibrary. The Dance Archive of Ireland will beestablished through seed funding of €140,000from the Arts Council and came about throughinitiatives by Dance Research Forum Ireland, abody set up in 2003 by Dr Catherine Foley,Director of the MA Ethnochoreology and MAIrish Traditional Dance Performance at the IrishWorld Academy of Music and Dance atUniversity of Limerick. Dance Research ForumIreland received an award from the Arts Councilin 2008 to carry out this feasibility report inconnection with the establishment of anational dance archive in Ireland.Dr Catherine Foley, Chair of the Dance Research15Dance Archive of Ireland Launch, LimerickSource: Catherine E Foley

DANCE IRELAND CLASSES AND WORKSHOP @ DANCEHOUSE11 - 15 January Ted Stoffer/ Sayaka Kaiwa Contemporary18 - 22 January Ted Stoffer/ Sayaka Kaiwa Contemporary25 - 29 January Ted Stoffer/ Sayaka Kaiwa ContemporaryClass Fees:DI Members: €7 per class / Non-members: €10 per classClass card availableTime: 10 am to 11.30amFor further information: www.danceireland.ie; Concession rates: DI membersPROFESSIONAL CLASS AT FIRKIN CRANE with Dance IrelandEvery Wednesday Contemporary Firkin Crane, Shandon, CorkTime: 11am to 12.30pmFees: DI Members: €7 per class / Non-members: €10 per classFor more information: Firkin Crane @ 021 450 7487PROFESSIONAL CLASS AT SIAMSA TÍRE with Dance IrelandEvery Tuesday Contemporary Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Co. KerryTime: 9am to 11amFees: DI Members: €5 / Non-members: €8 per classFor more information: Catherine Young @ 087 266 0012MAIDEN VOYAGE PROFESSIONAL CLASS with Dance IrelandEvery Wednesday Contemporary Dance Resource Base Studio,35 Donegall Street, BelfastTime: 6.30pm to 8pmFees: DI Members: £4 per class / Non-members: £5 per classFor more information: Maiden Voyage @ 0044 2890 330925MYRIAD DANCE PROFESSIONAL CLASS with Dance IrelandEvery Wednesday Contemporary Myriad Dance Studio, WexfordTime: 10am to 12noonFees: DI Members: €8 / Non-members: €10 per classFor more information: Myriad Dance @ 053 9174 665