#T.H.E Dance Company

[wkaustubh]

Singapore's Thriving Arts Scene: Theater, Music, and Dance

Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is renowned for its vibrant blend of cultures, economic prowess, and a skyline that juxtaposes tradition with modernity. Beyond its reputation as a global financial hub, Singapore boasts a flourishing arts scene that adds depth and diversity to its identity. For those seeking adventurous activities in Singapore, the city-state offers a range of thrilling options that cater to adrenaline enthusiasts. Additionally, nature lovers can explore the nocturnal wildlife park in Singapore, providing a unique and immersive experience with the city's diverse fauna. In this article, we will further delve into the adventurous side of Singapore, complementing our exploration of the thriving theatre, music, and dance landscape that has become an integral part of Singapore's cultural tapestry.

Theater:

Singapore's theatre scene has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the years, evolving from modest beginnings to a dynamic and influential force. The city-state boasts a myriad of theatre companies, both established and emerging, contributing to a rich tapestry of performances that span genres and styles.

One of the cornerstones of Singaporean theater is the iconic Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, colloquially known as "The Durian" due to its distinctive architecture resembling the spiky tropical fruit. This world-class performing arts center hosts a plethora of local and international productions, ranging from avant-garde plays to classic musicals.

Local theater groups, such as Wild Rice and The Necessary Stage, have garnered acclaim for their thought-provoking and socially relevant productions. These companies delve into Singapore's diverse cultural heritage, addressing contemporary issues while preserving traditional storytelling techniques. The theater community in Singapore is also fostering a new generation of talent through various educational programs and workshops.

Music:

Singapore's music scene is a harmonious blend of East and West, showcasing an eclectic mix of genres and influences. From classical performances to indie gigs, the city-state offers a stage for musicians to express themselves and connect with diverse audiences.

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), a prominent cultural institution, stands at the forefront of the classical music scene. The SSO, performing at the Esplanade Concert Hall, presents a repertoire that spans centuries, offering a melodic journey that resonates with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to classical music.

In contrast, the indie music scene has been gaining traction in Singapore's vibrant neighborhoods. Live music venues like The Esplanade's outdoor theaters, The Substation, and Hood Bar and Café provide platforms for local and international indie bands to showcase their talent. These intimate settings foster a sense of community and contribute to the city's reputation as a melting pot of musical diversity.

Dance:

Dance, an art form that transcends cultural boundaries, has found a welcoming home in Singapore. The city's dance scene is a celebration of traditional dance forms, contemporary choreography, and innovative collaborations that showcase the prowess of local and international dancers.

The Singapore Dance Theatre, founded in 1988, has played a pivotal role in elevating the standard of dance in the city. Known for its classical and contemporary performances, the company has garnered international acclaim and attracts talented dancers from around the world.

Contemporary dance companies like T.H.E Dance Company and ODT Dance Theatre push the boundaries of movement and expression. Their groundbreaking works often explore societal themes, pushing audiences to reflect on the human experience. The annual M1 CONTACT Contemporary Dance Festival further cements Singapore's status as a hub for contemporary dance, attracting artists and enthusiasts globally.

Conclusion:

Singapore's arts scene, encompassing theater, music, and dance, is a testament to the city-state's commitment to fostering creativity, cultural diversity, and artistic expression. From the grandeur of the Esplanade to the intimate settings of indie music venues, and from classical ballet to contemporary dance, Singapore offers a multifaceted and dynamic arts experience for both locals and visitors alike. As the city continues to evolve, so too does its arts scene, ensuring that Singapore remains a cultural hub in the global landscape.

[lynettequek-sonicarts]

current & upcoming projects 2023: - O/Aural Waves: Red Hill - liTHE, with T.H.E Dance Company - Camp-O, with The Drama Box - Hi-Viz Satellite, with SAtheCollective & Chamber Made - ubin, by The Drama Box

[tomlikesdance]

M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival 2018

[iamnotesthercheong]

Shows 2019

RAW MOVES

FULLOUT

PheNoumenon showing by T.H.E Dance Company

[thoughtsofadancerboo]

That Which Cannot Be Divided (无法被整除)

Performed at Esplanade Theatre Studio; Watched on 24 February 2019

Some context to this performance: It was a double bill of works that was commissioned by Esplanade Theatres on The Bay. The topic given to the two choreographers was “That Which Cannot Be Divided”, and invited them to explore the subject.

___________

The Odd One by Albert Tiong

The dancing for this piece was very, very good. The choreography was reminiscent of the Cloud Gate or T.H.E (The Human Expression) Company style, with obvious Chinese dance characteristics in its circularity, and the largely continuous and flowing energy of the choreography. The choreography itself was obviously extremely taxing, but a big kudos to the dancers, whose dancing never faltered throughout the 40-minute piece.

The main (and only) ideas that I gleaned from this piece was the constriction and oppression of society. How does this factor in the theme of division? I don’t really know, but this was an idea that stood out very obviously for me. The piece starts off with a less-than-humanoid looking figure that appears out of the onstage darkness. It seems to be moving. We realise that it is a girl who wears layers and layers of clothes that she struggles to remove. Looking at her, I felt suffocated by the heaps of clothes on her, especially when she visually struggles to remove them. Similarly, the rest of the dancers appear with a long scarf tied quite tightly around their necks, almost like a noose. I saw the clothing items as symbolic of societal expectations, and the metaphor of the dancers’ oppression and suffocation under it became quite obvious.

Other than that idea though, I felt that the piece, for me, was quite non-comprehensive. The lighting and the use of multi-media didn't shed much light on the piece, and all I really felt was disorientation and confusion, which also doesn't illuminate the theme of “That Which Cannot Be Divided”. Even during the post-show dialogue, the choreographer didn’t really shed much light on the subject that he was exploring. He mentioned prime numbers as well, but that idea didn’t really stand out anywhere in the piece to me, other than the number of dancers in each group. Overall, I really enjoyed watching the dancing and the choreograph was beautiful, but the piece ultimately failed to impart much of a message to me.

0 in 1 (自己的自己) by Bulareyaung Pagarlava

To start, I absolutely loved this piece because it presented the essence of the company in 45-minutes. We see the relationships - real, genuine ones - within the company members, their personalities, their Taiwanese indigenous culture, their experiences as a company, and most importantly, their dedication to preserving who they are as individuals, as a company, and as indigenous people to Taiwan.

Choreographers tend to get their dancers to act, to play a role, or they de-individualize them to a certain extent, in order to portray whatever it is they want to portray. However, we don’t see this in Bula’s piece because this work is about them. The dancers appear as themselves onstage, unfiltered. Bula presents them in such a way so at to show that each of their individual personalities is exactly the thing that they themselves cannot be divided from. This overarching idea relates to their individuality as individuals, as a company and as indigenous people.

During the post-show dialogue, Bula shared his shame at being an indigenous person when he was younger, and his realisation and acceptance of the fact that this was who he was, that “Bulareyaung” was his real name, not his sinified one, and this was something that he can never be divided from.

[persinsala]

Florence Dance & Performing Arts Festival 2019 / Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company 2

Florence Dance & Performing Arts Festival 2019 / Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company 2

La danza protagonista a Firenze con la XXX edizione del Florence Dance & Performing Arts Festival che inaugura il mese di luglio con 360°, spettacolo firmato da una tra le Compagnie più famose del ricco panorama israeliano. (more…)

[tmnotizie]

ANCONA – Da qualche anno l’estate anconetana è lunga e ricca di eventi. Un trend che prosegue nel 2019 e che trova il culmine nella qualità della proposta di eventi e spettacoli ospitati da La Mole. La Mole è, infatti, un centro propulsore di attività e, anche, il luogo in cui si esprime un’alta qualità di offerta di spettacolo. Quest’anno davvero considerevole.

L’estate inizia prima del solito e vede un giugno particolarmente ricco. Si conclude, ugualmente, a settembre inoltrato, con alcuni eventi particolarmente significativi. I Festival sono i principali protagonisti della stagione. Anno dopo anno, affiancati dall’amministrazione, sono cresciuti e, oggi, hanno tutti una caratura nazionale importante.

Accanto ai Festival, una serie di eventi speciali arricchiscono il cartellone. Giugno e Luglio sono mesi sostanzialmente già programmati, mentre agosto è in fase di costruzione.

Festival

Sconcerti. Anche quest’anno la rassegna dell’Arci dedicata alla musica dal vivo ritorna sul palco de La Mole, per regalare a tutti gli appassionati un’estate di concerti di qualità. Nato per indagare lo stretto legame che unisce la musica alle altre discipline artistiche, Sconcerti festival ha assunto nel tempo un’anima e un taglio decisamente più indie: una precisa scelta stilistica volta a distinguerlo dalle altre proposte culturali locali e a far conoscere ed apprezzare i lati meno conosciuti e più sperimentali della musica live.

Sconcerti parte nel mese di giugno con un’anteprima di Acusmatiq, il trio berlinese dei KUF (19 giugno) e attraversa l’intera estate con spettacoli che saranno ospitati dal Lazzabaretto. Headliner del festival, però, nella Corte della Mole, sarà il grande concerto di due gruppi cardine dell’indie italiano, Massimo Volume e Giardino di Mirò, il 28 luglio. Le band, infatti, realizzano un mini tour assieme, che le vede a Milano, Roma, Verona ed Ancona. Spettacoli che sono ambientati in altrettante location di grande fascino: Villa Ada a Roma, Museo Archeologico a Verona, Castello Sforzesco a Milano e Mole Vanvitelliana ad Ancona, a conferma del ruolo che La Mole sta acquisendo in campo nazionale.

Spilla. La rassegna pop Spilla per il 2019 porta ad Ancona veri e propri eventi di portata nazionale. Concentrata a giugno, vedrà salire sul palco i Dream Syndicate (18 giugno), i C’Mon Tigre (21 giugno), Carl Brave (22 giugno) DZ DeathRase (lazzabaretto, 27 giugno) e Billy Corgan (30 giugno). Dagli anni Ottanta a oggi, una carrellata di grande musica, che coinvolge un gruppo di culto come Dream Syndicate, un gruppo nuovissimo, che sta spopolando a livello continentale ed è reduce da un tour di grande successo come i C’mon Tigre, peraltro originari di Ancona, Carl Brave, uno dei più seguiti artisti del momento e il grande cantante e leader degli Smashing Pumpkins, che metterà in scena un live coinvolgente, intimo e unico nella cornice della Corte.

Inteatro. L’edizione numero 41 dello storico festival, nato tra le colline marchigiane, si snoderà tra Polverigi e Ancona dal 19 al 23 giugno.  Quindici titoli per 55 artisti di grandi compagnie italiane e internazionali,  vetrina della danza ma anche emanazione di nuovi progetti cui  Marche Teatro e Inteatro in network stanno lavorando.  Dal 20 al 23, ultimo giorno, il festival sarà nel capoluogo con una fitta serie di appuntamenti al salone delle feste del Museo Archeologico e nella chiesa di San Gregorio illuminatore (tutti dalle ore 18); il 22 e il 23 grandi allestimenti di danza al Teatro delle Muse con T.H.E Dance Company Invisible habitudes in prima nazionale (sabato) e  Alice Ripoll Cria (domenica).

Conero Dance Festival. Il festival organizzato da La Luna Dance in occasione del Conero Dance Campo, che vede ad Ancona ospiti internazionali in versione di docenti e creatori di spettacoli, impegna la seconda metà di giugno (La Luna showcase, 15 giugno) e la prima metà di luglio con eventi come l’Art Salon alla Mole (2 luglio).

Ka. La scena del festival anconetani si arricchisce di un evento internazionale legato a uno specifico progetto nato nelle Marche, ma con partner nazionali e internazionali, lo scorso anno e che approda ad Ancona nel 2019. Si tratta di un grande festival sul linguaggio cinematografico sul tema delle migrazioni. Ka si svolge presso l’Arena Cinema de La Mole e dopo le anteprime del 10 e 20 giugno si svolge il 27, 28 e 29 giugno. Ka è un progetto vincitore del bando MigrArti del Ministero della Cultura e annovera tra i suoi partner la cineteca di Bologna.

AnconaJazz. Anche l’edizione 2019 di Ancona Jazz è speciale e particolarmente ricca. La Mole ospita molti concerti della rassegna, dall’1 luglio al 12 luglio, per poi una ripresa in occasione del 18 luglio, tradizionale appuntamento con i grandi musicisti polacchi. Tra i concerti, tutti di altissima qualità, spicca senza dubbio quello della giovanissima JazzMeia Horn, forse la più grande cantante jazz in attività, l’11 luglio. Il festival ospita anche una mostra di Pino Ninfa (1 luglio, sala boxe).

La Punta della Lingua. Uno dei più importanti festival di poesia d’Italia quest’anno si occupa di linguaggi contemporanei e di grandi classici e annovera tra gli ospiti alcune delle voci più importanti in attività di poesia, come la scozzese Carol Ann Duffy e Silvio Raffo, poeta traduttore di Emily Dickinson. Ospiti anche Max Collini, voce degli offlaga Disco Pax, e headliner del festival Marco Paolini, che porterà nella Corte de La Mole uno spettacolo il 2 luglio.

Weekendoit. Confermato il festivl Weekendoit, primo e unico festival dedicato all’handmade in Italia che, ogni anno, porta in città artisti, artigiani, neo-impredintori, esperti di marketing e comunicazione, espositori, geni, apprendisti e tanti altri per lavorare concretamente al futuro delle singole persone e quindi del pianeta intero. Un appuntamento ormai imperdibile e in continua crescita, diretto da Gaia Segattini e che si svolge dal 18 al 21 luglio.

Sensi d’estate. Il 17 luglio inizia la tradizionale rassegna curata dal Museo Omero, con appuntamenti sempre il mercoledì, che sarà presentata più avanti.  Ad inaugurarla l’attrice IAIA FORTE con “Napolide”, scritto da Erri de Luca.  Sei le date, fino al 21 agosto e una mostra, Rabarama.

Acusmatiq.  Il festival di musica elettronica si svolgerà nel primo weekend di agosto e il programma sarà comunicato più avanti.

Adriatico Mediterraneo. Il festival AdMed, come di consueto, si svolge a cavallo tra agosto e settembre e il programma sarà comunicato più avanti.

La mia Generazione – OltreMole. Il festival con la direzione artistica di Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi si svolgerà dal 5 all’8 settembre alla Mole e in città, con ospiti nazionali e internazionali di grande rilievo. Il programma completo sarà comunicato entro giugno.

Eventi speciali

Una serie di eventi che non sono compresi nei festival, ma arricchiscono il cartellone con qualità e popolarità, chiudono il calendario sin qui programmato.

11 giugno: La città del cinema

Corte della Mole

Inizio spettacolo 20:30 (orario rigoroso, perché è in diretta tv con altre città)

In occasione del meeting Unesco delle città creative, che si svolge a Fabriano, Ancona ospita le delegazioni delle città del cinema. Per l’occasione, dopo una giornata di lavoro, la Corte vedrà esibirsi la Fisorchestra Marchigiana in un suggestivo spettacolo dedicato alle colonne sonore.

13 giugno: CULTURAPRESENTE

Auditorium Orfeo Tamburi

Inizio alle 18:00

Viene presentato alla città il progetto PRESENTE che, lavorando sulla Mole vanvitelliana, ha vinto il bando Cariverona Valore Territori. Vengono perciò raccontate e mostrate le novità de La Mole già attive, e in via di essere. Viene mostrata la strategia.

14 giugno: 70 pop festival

Corte della Mole

Inizio spettacolo: 21:15

Un concerto di alcuni dei maggiori musicisti e band pop-rock del territorio, per raccogliere fondi a favore dello IOM

16 giugno: Intatta Tour

Corte della Mole

Inizio spettacolo: 21 e 15

Passa ad Ancona il tour di Mario Tozzi e Dario Vergassola dedicato al patrimonio “intatto” di un Paese bellissimo.

12 luglio: Concerto Officina ancona musica

Corte della Mole

Inizio spettacolo: 21:15

La consueta rassegna di giovanissime bands del territorio, invitate a confrontarsi con il prestigioso palco della Mole: un’occasione di spettacolo, ma anche di formazione dei nostri giovani talenti

13 luglio: Montanini e Montanari

Corte della Mole

Inizio spettacolo: 21 e 15

Anteprima del nuovo tour di Giorgio Montanini, “Come Britney Spears”. Ad aprire la serata un altro grande artista del palco, Francesco Montanari con Alessandro Bardani (“La più meglio gioventù”)

19 luglio: Harari racconta De André

Corte della Mole

Inizio spettacolo: 21 e 15

Il più grande fotografo di musica italiano, che ha lavorato fianco a fianco con Fabrizio de André per tantissimo tempo, presenta il suo volume dedicato al grande cantautore, tra immagini, parole e musica

11-12 settembre: Concerto di RAF e Umberto Tozzi

Corte della Mole

(spostato per esigenze organizzative degli artisti dal Palaprometeo dove era in programma il 7 giugno)

info-line 02 48057345 (lunedì-venerdì 10-13/ 14,30-16)

Note: Per l’estate del 2019, l’ingresso principale per gli spettacoli è spostato sul lato Mandracchio. La biglietteria sarà posta su quel fronte della Mole. Per informazioni su biglietti, prezzi, prevendite bisogna rivolgersi ai singoli organizzatori.

[danctp-blog]

Deciding on Costume

Myself and the group feel like looking at other performers that we aspire to look like on stage might help in knowing what sort of costume we need to get. Of course, we know that we are appearing as dancers, so the costume should resemble a group of dancers. Often, dancers wear costume that is uniformed (similar) or exactly the same and we wanted to take this notion of uniformity on board when looking at what costume to get hold of. Our type of dancing, although we haven’t purposefully made it, appears contemporary. Therefore, looking at other contemporary dance companies may be the right way to go in finding the right costume for the group. I have included some images below of the different aspects (colour, style and texture) of the clothing that we could take influence in. 

We looked at a lot of different conteporary dance performers and companies that could wear something that we were looking for. We looked at costume from the following companies...

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Sigma Contemporary Dance

Kibbutz

Sydney  Dance Company

Batsheva Dance Company

Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

T.H.E Dance Company

When going out to look for costume, we split into two groups. We wanted to do this so that we would come back with different costume to see if we could mix and match what we had obtained. The group didn’t set any particular rules when looking for the costume although we did aspire to come back with some natural colours and some naked colours. I went with to look at costume with George, Cory and Mark and the other group was Libby, Celine and Rebecca. We took a lot of interest in terracotta when looking in charity shops, and once we had picked up one pair of trousers that were a terracotta colour, we managed to find a lot more that was the same colour. When we met back with each other, the other group brought back greens, whites and blacks. This was a nice array of colours to look at mixing in order to find the right costume. Although we still may have to look for more costume, this is a great starting point for us to see what fits and what does not. After mixing and matching all of the clothes, we finally decided on the right look which we would then show Kevin, our supervisor, in our next showing.  Below is an image of the costume that we set on. The following image is a screenshot from a video, hence why the image is pixlelated. 

[barre2barresg]

Barre 2 Barre SG Interview Series: Ahilya (Part III)

Now you see her, now you don't! Many of you barrerinas have asked about the "new" instructor on the schedule, Ahilya.

Ironically, Ahilya was actually the first Barre 2 Barre (Singapore) instructor but left to Israel for four months to further her dance practice.

Needless to say, this barrerina has the poise, grace, and strength that all of us would only love to have! Read on for part 3 of our interview 3 series where we interview the resident barre-Dancer, Ahilya.

What does wellness and being healthy mean to you?

While wellness and being healthy means exercising regularly and mindfully as well as choosing to nourish my body as nutritiously as possible, a huge aspect of health and wellness to me is also mental. It includes having positive thoughts, being open minded and adventurous, being supportive of loved ones and strangers alike, doing things that make me happy and taking care of myself, and constantly remaining curious and developing myself as a person.

When it comes to exercise, a significant part of growth and moving forwards physically is mental. Our minds love to give up on us at the earliest signs of fatigue, but it is hugely rewarding when you allow your mind to drive you and challenge yourself to push past previous limits. In barre and dance, we always talk about awareness, having a mind-body connection, and moving with purpose and intention. To me, barre, dance, or other exercise is a microcosm of an individual’s place in life and their relationship with the world; if you can work thoughtfully and not give up here, you can apply these thoughts to daily life and always strive to be a more productive and motivated person. Acting deliberately, and choosing to do what serves me and others is what being healthy means to me.

Share with us a funny story related to barre.

It is always a fun time when we have photo shoots for Barre2Barre marketing or social media, because the barre teachers and staff get to put on some music, beautify ourselves, and have a lot of laughs while trying out intricate poses and shots.

One of the funniest days was when Jessica and I decided to attempt a very complicated position, somehow thinking it would be a breeze to achieve. It involved Jess lying on her back and propping each of my legs up with each of hers, while I would be in some sort of split position with my right leg coiled around hers, my body turned to one side, and my arms floating in the air. Executing this was a hysterical failure, and it ended up with me clinging on to our social media intern for dear life as I tried to get into position. All of us couldn’t stop laughing and we abandoned this shot. We’ll work towards it.

How did you get into BarreAmped and what are your future plans for barre?

I first started barre right after completing college in LA because it sounded like a fun and complementary workout to my dance practice. I tried it and was immediately hooked. I was amazed by how challenging it was for the whole body, how much coordination it required, and how strong and feminine it made me feel.

Barre became an important part of my morning routine at a time when I was freshly graduated and lacking structure in my schedule -  it was both mentally and emotionally grounding which encouraged me to achieve things the rest of the day (I was a freelance dancer at the time).

I missed barre after moving to Singapore, and was really excited when a common friend introduced me to Jessica and Mylene before they opened Barre 2 Barre. I had already been thinking of getting certified to teach barre and was happy to be the first teacher hired by Barre 2 Barre when the studio opened last year.

Recently, I got certified to teach the higher levels of BarreAmped, which I’m enjoying doing these days. In the future, perhaps I would like to become a teacher trainer myself or open my own barre studio wherever I move next!

What is your favorite way (aside from barre) to keep fit and find some downtime?

Outside of barre, I am a contemporary dancer, dancing with T.H.E Second Company in Singapore. I also work on my own choreography projects and travel frequently to Israel to train and work on projects there. I also run regularly and love trying new exercise classes that challenge my body in unfamiliar ways. 

Besides that, I find it both therapeutic and stimulating spending time outdoors (I especially love going to the beach and hiking when I’m in slightly cooler climates!), watching movies, cooking, painting, singing, reading, and working on any kind of creative aesthetic project, whether it’s photography-related, interior designing my room at home, and so on…

List your 3 dinner party dream guests, what would you talk about and what dish would you prepare for them?

J.K. Rowling – I grew up reading and loving the Harry Potter series; I was six when the first book came out and my mom starting reading it to me. She continued to read the entire series to me and my little brother aloud (even as we entered middle and high school!) because we enjoyed experiencing the whole story together.

Rowling, to me, is just a brilliant and incredibly articulate, sensitive, funny, and imaginative author. Plus, she’s a role model because of how she overcame monumental adversity in her life, as well as her outspoken nature and views on politics, feminism, and social issues. She has the most powerful yet elegant way of making a point.

I would prepare a sophisticated North Indian Mughalai meal for Rowling, because of its distinctive, refined aromas and because it is the cuisine my family is most associated with. It would feature raan (slow cooked lamb pot roast), peas simmered in a turmeric milk sauce, and fragrant rice flavored with saffron. Mango and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I would thank her for creating the world of Harry Potter, and we would discuss some insider wizarding intelligence, stories from her life, and current affairs.

The Obamas (Can I have Michelle too please?) – I think Obama was a fantastic president of the United States. I find both him and his wife gracious, graceful, intelligent, empathetic, and charismatic individuals.

I would cook them a Mediterranean-themed meal, including some savory pan-fried halloumi with sweet roasted figs, lots of bright and fresh salads with ingredients like mint, cucumber, and parsley, a hearty, lemony hummus, and a delicious shakshuka with sides of warm pita and tahini. Something involving pomegranate and mint for dessert. I would want to hear Obama’s most impactful stories from his time as president, and discuss ways people can do more for the environment and social causes.

Woody Allen – It is my dream to somehow be in a Woody Allen film one day. Allen is definitely my favorite director. I just love how signature his aesthetic is, starting from the moment his opening credits roll and cast members’ names are listed alphabetically, in the same font every time, like in a play program. I love the existential questions he grapples with, his offbeat sense of humor, and his stylistic choices – everything from characters’ wardrobes, to the picturesque locales his stories are set in, to the romantic soundtracks he implements (notably all the beautiful jazz).

Since he’s neurotic and could possibly be made anxious by peculiar foreign foods, and since a lot of his films are set in Europe, I would make him a French Provençal meal I once made my family in the south of France with ingredients from our garden. It would constitute pan-fried chicken marinated in an olive oil, lavender, and rosemary mixture, haricots verts and finely-sliced mushrooms cooked with butter, white wine, and caramelized shallots, a country salad, hot fresh bread, and red wine. Maybe some decadent chocolate cupcakes for dessert with buttercream icing that I learned how to swirl on in roses. I’m sure we would have some philosophical conversations and discuss ideas for his upcoming films.

List your 3 favorite travel destinations, and list 3 more that you want to travel to and why.

Tel Aviv, Israel – Tel Aviv is one of my favorite cities in the world. I visit primarily because it is a mecca for contemporary dance and home to many fantastic dance companies including Batsheva Dance Company, whose director developed a hugely popular and revolutionary movement practice called gaga. Taking gaga classes in Tel Aviv while getting to savor divine, fresh market fruits, veggies, and cheeses, swim in the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, and roam many beautiful artsy streets and neighborhoods are a few reasons I love Tel Aviv.

Los Angeles, USA – I lived there for five years so it has a special place in my heart. I love exploring all the distinct neighborhoods – enjoying a beach vibe in Venice or Santa Monica, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu, having city experiences in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, doing artsy things downtown, hiking in the Hollywood hills, or feasting on the best Korean barbeque in Korea-town.

Barcelona, Spain – I took a solo trip to Barcelona for the first time this year, and fell in love with the breath-taking and conceptual Gaudi architecture, delicious tapas restaurants and four-euro sangria, museums, and wide, beautifully manicured streets.

Iceland – I keep seeing pictures of mesmerizing and ethereal looking hot springs, ice caves, and geysers in Iceland! I would love to swim and hike there and soak in all the natural beauty.

Morocco – I would love to have some desert adventures in Morocco, stroll through bustling bazaars, and visit beautiful mosques.

Brazil – Brazil is such a huge, vibrant country, and I’ve always wanted to visit to enjoy the beaches, visit the Corcovado Christ statue, and perhaps learn how to samba. I also love and sing Bossa Nova, so listening to live music there would be a treat.

[bellaella]

The happy #dancers from #TheSecondCompany post-show . They did a brillant job. Congratulations! . The dancers from T.H.E Second Company helped brought the story of #Voyage to life and were wonderfully graceful and danced beautifully. #thesecondcompany . Voyage by @filmr by the #SingaporeChineseCulturalCentre for its inaugural festival #华彩 was not just visually stunning but told the story beautifully with dance, music, performances and the great use of 3D projection mapping and holographic imagery which when synchronised with lights, music and performances proved stunning overall. Bravo! . . #RoystonTan #SCCC #alistsg #SGNOW #SgPerformers #Sgtalent  #instaSg #SgTheatre‬ #sgarts #Singapore #sgculture #sgart #sgmemory #sgheritage #igsingapore #igerssingapore #ExploreSG #ExploreSingapore #igsg #Sgig #instagram_sg  #YourSingapore #TNPSG (at 新加坡华族文化中心 Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre)

[nurse-x-ramblings]

"As it Fades"   T.H.E (The Human Expression) Dance Company, 2011

------------------------

As It Fades is Kuik Swee Boon's new full-length creation for 2011. This Arts Festival commission sees Kuik exploring two thematic threads that have been pertinent to him since establishing T.H.E Dance Company. The first is memory and how they serve as a window to ourselves. This time, he tackles memory from a broader, more objective perspective instead of delving into personal histories. The second is the possibilities of the body in dance. Since the establishment of the company, Kuik has recognised that dance has the unique ability to communicate in a way that other art forms fall short. This unique trait is found in the immediacy of the body, its visceral impact when it is in motion, its ability to capture physical nuances not easily expressed in words. In this work, he focuses on using the body not only to convey a story but to actually embody emotion, psyche and expression; the bodies are not mere storytellers, they are the emotions and ideas themselves. Praise for As It Fades 'A breakthrough for the Singapore group' - Tara Tan, Straits Times A production commissioned for The Singapore Arts Festival, first performed at The Singapore Arts Festival 21 May 2011.

[tomlikesdance]

M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival 2018

Taiwanese dancer Tom Tsai combines break-dancing and politics in A Fantasy of Going Home, part of the M1 Open Stage showcase. The contemporary solo is set to a collage of soundbites from archival footage and news reports about Taiwan’s marginalisation on the international stage.

“During my upbringing in Taiwan, these kinds of reports felt routine and regular, which I now realise is not normal,” says the 30-year-old. “I wanted to create a relentless, hyper-concentrated sampling to bombard uninformed audiences, suggesting a psychological effect as a result of living in this environment.”

Tsai is based in Los Angeles and first conceived the work in the wake of the 2016 United States presidential election, which he found “extremely anxiety-inducing”.

Although he usually strives not to directly lift movement from his hip-hop background, this time, he wanted to reflect the aggression and defensiveness of the break-dance aesthetic. “This dance is not only a reflection of personal histories, but also of the histories of the cultures that I engage in.”

[tomlikesdance]

M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival 2018