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October 2004

Dancing Days

Munich steps out for a dance festival with a difference

Munich is a mecca for the performing arts. Every night of the week, the city’s theaters and concert halls come alive with opera, ballet and orchestral music. While many of the offerings are classical greats, this month the city will be playing host to something much more modern—the ninth annual International Festival of Contemporary Dance. Before you become squeamishly uncomfortable at the thought of chiffon scarves and new age music and hurriedly book yourself a couple of tickets for the ballet, take heed: contemporary dance has come a long way from its underground, rebellious roots. This year, 15 companies from 11 countries will be taking part in the festival, which is being held in a number of venues around the city and is expected to attract thousands of visitors. Indeed, although it was established only in the last 100 years, contemporary dance has fast become a popular alternative to its classical counterpart. “Contemporary dance is rebellious, beautiful and completely fascinating,” says Cornelia Albrecht, the festival’s producer and artistic director. “And we’ve come a long way over the past few years. Contemporary dance has become less reflective and more about having fun. The days of confusing internal expression are behind us—entertainment is a must.” Judging by the success of last year’s event, which brought in a staggering 10,000 spectators, she has a point. “We attracted all sorts of people of different ages and backgrounds,” she says. “Not just dance enthusiasts, but people who are interested in art, music, theater—culture lovers!” To mirror the diversities in the audience, Albrecht had to pay careful attention to the performers she chose for this year’s event. “We’ve brought in a colorful variety of dance companies that embody alternative music, literature and media,” she says. “And as well as the big names, I’ve included lesser-known companies with masses of talent.”

In fact, even those who can’t leave behind all those years of ballet lessons can now have their cake and eat it. Although contemporary dance first started in protest against the limitations of ballet, the two sides are now working together. For only the second time in the festival’s history, the Bavarian State Ballet will be significantly involved. Ballet dancer and choreographer of Ballet Frankfurt, Tony Rizzi, will be working with the Bavarian State Ballet to blend classical and contemporary forms in the performance of For a Body of Work. “This cooperation shows how ballet’s attitude has changed,” says Albrecht. “It shows increased appreciation and acceptance of contemporary dance.” Ballet’s willingness to experiment and move with the times reflects the entire mood of the festival, with all 15 dance companies aiming to challenge as well as entertain. The following is a selection of groups performing at the festival:

On October 27 at the Prinzregententheater, the Canadian company Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault presents the dance performance Joe. Its title alludes to the expression “the average working Joe,” and the performance is intended to portray city workers, lost in the anonymous urban world. In the setting of a factory, 32 men in uniform raincoats and hats fight to express their individual identities. The music comes only from the drumming of their heavy boots—the complex rhythms creating an intense atmosphere as the workers unleash their frustration. First performed in 1984 Joe has become the Perreault signature piece. Twenty years on the company is now on its final world tour—in honor of its founding choreographer, Jean Pierre Perreault, who died in 2002.

Founded in 1964 the Batsheva Dance Company is one of the most highly regarded contemporary groups in the world. The Muffathalle will host the company’s German debut of Mamootot on October 31. In this, choreographer Ohad Naharin has reduced dance to its most basic form, focusing solely on the movements of the body. Naharin emphasizes that the performance is free from external influences, which allows exploration of the natural channels of sexuality and emotion. In a further break with tradition, the audience is seated in a full circle around the stage.

Award-winning choreographer Akram Khan combines his British nationality and Bangladesh origins to create a cross-cultural dance performance. By drawing on both countries Khan uses dance as a medium to communicate aspects of each culture. The newly established Akram Khan Company makes its German debut on October 29 at the Gasteig, with a dance adaptation of the Indian fable Ma—a Hindi word meaning mother or nut. Ma incorporates the Indian dance, the kathak, and combines it with Western contemporary dance. The pace is fast and flowing as seven dancers, a vocalist, a percussionist and a cellist deliver an homage to motherhood and life.

The festival runs from October 26 to November 7 and takes place in eight different locations—the Gasteig, Prinzregententheater, Muffathalle, Haus der Kunst, Galerie der Künstler, Parkcafé, Theater der Jugend and I-Camp. Visit www.dance2004.de for more information. For ticket sales see www.muenchenticket.de or call (089) 54 81 81 81.

MUNICH FOUND has ten pairs of tickets to the festival to give away. To enter the competition, simply send us your name and address on a postcard by October 15. Winners will be drawn at random.

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