Dublin Dance Festival celebrates its 15th edition this year. The festival brings the best Irish and international dance artists to Dublin stages each May. It brings artists and audiences together to create and share exceptional, provocative and relevant dance experiences.

The Dublin Dance Festival 2019 programme strands cover 'Power of Party', 'Dedication to Dance', 'The Shifting World' and 'Moving Every Body'.

Here's what you need to know about 'Dedication to Dance.'

 

Synopsis

Artistry, craft, a drive for excellence and innovation. Immerse yourself in explosive dance by artists from across the globe – the legends, the pioneers, the culture makers. Dedication that changes the game and sets the standard.

 

Events in this strand

Witness three stunning works by some of the biggest choreographers of our time. They're set on the Abbey Stage, in partnership with the Abbey Theatre.

 

In a hugely anticipated collaboration, Session sees leading Irish dance artist Colin Dunne perform with Olivier Award-winning Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

Cherkaoui fuses eclectic influences including martial arts, hip-hop, Kathak and jazz into his choreographic style. In Session, these two diverse performers draw from the rich rhythmical and sonic aspects of Dunne’s traditional Irish dance to discover their relational possibilities through the exploration of sound.

Session by Colin Dunne & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

 

Former Dance Director of the Venice Biennale, Virgilio Sieni makes his Irish debut with his definitive and lyrical work, La Natura Delle Cose. “The Nature of Things” portrays a character moving through the entire cycle of life in one hour.

Five dancers draw inspiration from the great poem De Rerum Natura by Roman philosopher Lucretius. Moving as a single body, they create a rich visual poem that presents the masked character of Venus at three stages of life.

La Natura Delle Cose by Virgilio Sieni

 

Legendary Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker presents a masterpiece of contemporary dance, Rosas danst Rosas. Abstract movements form the foundation of this rigorously structured piece for four female dancers, in which repetition plays a leading role. Undeniably feminine, the ferocity of the movement is countered by small, everyday gestures.

Rosas danst Rosas by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker

 

More events

Explore a life consumed by endless desire with In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni at Dublin Dance Festival. This striking and powerful piece by controversial Italian choreographer Roberto Castello will show at Project Arts Centre.

The cold glow of a video projector – the only source of light – illuminates a rugged black and white space. It sets the scene for an immersive and disconcerting exploration of the human condition.

In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni by Roberto Castello

 

The mesmirising I / Thou by the acclaimed Liz Roche Company shows at the Beckett Theatre. Inspired by iconic visual artist Brian O’Doherty, it echoes themes of migration, language and identity present in his work. The result is a compelling performance exploring the everyday intimacies of our connections to our surroundings and each other.

I/Thou by Liz Roche Company

 

 

The DDF Extended programme offers audiences and communities a chance to dive in and experience more. Partnering with The Digital Hub, Dublin Dance Festival and Selina Thompson bring 'The Missy Elliot Project' to Dublin this year. It's an opportunity for women and girls of colour, aged between 14 and 17, to make a VR experience with all of the energy and excitement of an old-school Missy Elliott video.

A wide selection of Workshops & Master Classes are also available for everyone from young children to dance practitioners.

A dynamic programme of Works-In-Development by some of Ireland’s most exciting dance artists, a series of Dance on Film and Discussions provide new perspectives on the artform of dance.

 

For more information, to download the brochure and to book tickets, visit www.dublindancefestival.ie.