Live performances at the Esplanade may be arriving in due time, but that doesn’t mean the arts centre will no longer be offering accessible, virtual performances as well. Having found their footing in the digital realm thanks to the presentation of multiple online festivals during the past few months, the theatre venue will soon be taking its annual Da:ns Festival digital this month.
Happening from Oct 12-31, expect to witness dance programmes which are introspective and meaningful, like The Intervention of Loneliness (Lockdown Edition). In this item, seasoned choreographer Ming Poon revisits a piece staged as a work-in-progress at last year’s Da:ns Festival by inviting audiences to once again slow dance, but this time over Zoom.
Then, check out legendary street dance quarter s**t kingz from Japan that returns with The Escape Game, a specially commissioned work that traces a thrilling journey of escape and imagination. Also see Pichet Klunchun reflect on his artistic practice in a mini documentary named The Intermission of No. 60, as he shares stories and experiences as a classically trained Thai dancer who designs and arranges contemporary pieces.
Still from Friedemann Vogel – Direktor Nicolas Le Riche des Royal Swedish Ballet
In addition to all the festival commissions, exciting new international works that resonate and inspire have been lined-up too. Dancing at Dusk – A moment with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring is a short film that captures the last rehearsal of a specially assembled company of 38 dancers from 14 African countries, documenting unique moments in their preparations for an international tour. Meanwhile, the documentary Friedemann Vogel – Incarnation of Dance offers viewers a glimpse of the ballet star’s everyday life, as he toured and performed around the world back in 2018.
Finally, dancers should not miss the opportunity to check out Living Archive – A Creative Workshop with Studio Wayne McGregor, a two-week-long workshop that seeks to offer an avenue for local dancemakers to create works with the technological stimulus of an A.I. But besides witnessing new choreographies, also get to try your hand at developing pieces yourself when you sign up.
And as always, continue to keep an eye out for all the fun happenings going on at the Esplanade, as more exciting experiences may be coming our way as restrictions get lifted.
Esplanade’s Da:ns Festival returns Oct 12-31 at Esplanade Offstage and other online platforms. More information available here.
