City of Patras is all set for two-day dance mini-festival
The city of Patras, the European Cultural Capital 2006, is opening its doors to the dance scene. During a two-day dance mini-festival, which will take place tomorrow and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., the public will have a chance to see the work of Greek and foreign choreographers as well as a series of interesting video dance productions. The mini-festival will kick off with Germany’s Jan Pusch’s «Match,» a duet that is part of the trilogy «Projections on the Move» which premiered in Hamburg in 2004. The choreographies follow one another and explore the possibilities of continuity in movement, video, text and sound. Japan’s Yamada Un company will present «One Piece,» in which five dancers mix color and speed with mathematical precision. Founded in 2002, the company is very active, collaborating with other artists, conducting seminars and much more. In 2005, it toured Europe and visited festivals in Berlin, London and Nottingham, among others. France’s Pascale Houbin and Dominique Boivin have choreographed and will perform the production «Bonte Divine,» inspired by the medieval star-crossed lovers Abelard and Heloise. Abelard, a 12th century intellectual, philosopher, poet and theologist and Heloise, a young yet highly mature and knowledgeable girl, are the heroes of a passionate love story which links the real world with spirituality. The Yelp dance theater company will present «Scale 5:1,» a choreography which explores the different aspects of power and people’s need to compete. Choreographed by Mariela Nestora, «Scale 5:1» features dancers Philippos Kanakaris, Iris Karayan and Katerina Bella. Tatiana Loverdou’s «Ta Vrachia» (The Rocks) is inspired by the rocks in the sea off the island of Tinos. Choreographed by Loverdou, the performance features Iris Kyriakopoulou, Marianna Christopoulou, Polly Yiannakopoulou and Vangelis Velentzas. The video dance program, organized by Christiana Galanopoulou, will feature some spectacular recent dance films. «Blush» brings to the screen the fascinating world of Wim Vandekeybus, with creatures balancing between life and death, while Saburo Teshigawara’s «In Pages» depicts an artistic and poetic universe. Filmed in Montevideo, «Montevideoaki» reveals the talents of young and gifted dancer-choreographer Hiroaki Umeda, while «The Cost of Living» by politically active group DV8 is one of the most popular dance movies ever made. The shows and screenings will take place at the Art Factory and its courtyard as well as at the Ptochokomeio Building. For information: tel 2610.368.000, www.patra2006.gr.
