Dance4

Dear Blog,

Sorry it’s been a few days since my last entry. Life has been busy since we last met and the city of Nottingham has been drawing me away from you…… I’m back although only momentarily.

What can I say, the last few days have been some of the best dance experiences I’ve ever had in the UK. I’m bound to say that as Artistic Director of the festival, but there has been something special about the city coming alive with dance.

Miguel Pereira – an intense experience that I’m still processing. I originally saw this work earlier in the year in Madrid and although found it moving I was not prepared for experiencing it in a space that can do anything. In Madrid I saw it in a basement space, low ceilings and a poor PA meant the show was slightly more intimate, but by no means as intense and physically challenging. At Lakeside I was able to experience the work in such a way that emphasised the starkness of the work and created a sound scape that was literally moving, the audience was rocking, dancing or with fingers in ears whilst sub woofers under the auditorium had us all buzzing in our seats. Miguel certainly gave us an experience that was both primal and disobedient, but magical.

BreakJazz – had me dancing from the first moment. Great contributions from Break Jazz Company, Robert Hlyton, Hetain Patel and others, but mostly the open Jam made for the most memorable afternoon. Never before has Nottingham seen the sight of professionals dancing with toddlers and even the Dance4 team. Kirsten and I were the most adventurous of staff, but let me tell you that we all have a mean running man!!! The main surprise of the day was suddenly seeing my sisters partner come from the crowd and start moving. His locking and popping was genius. He was inspired by Breaking Convention this year and since has been doing the age old thing of rehearsing in the bedroom, dead proud! Dance Development in practice.

Rachel Krische and Robert Hylton – an opportunity for nottdance audiences and artists to see two virtuosic performers mesmerise us with their ability to challenge our views on dance, but do so with ease, care and gorgeous choreography. I’ve had some amazing feedback about both shows. Most of all I’m thrilled to have got to nottdance a piece that Dance4 commissioned 2 years ago and to support an artist that has a true gift that needs sharing with artists and audiences.

Rachid Ouramdane – I’m left wanting to see so much more and not because we were shortchanged, but because such a beautiful work should live for longer. A complex work that I’ve decided is like watching a car crash or falling over in the street. That moment when the world takes a breath, time slows down as your brain tells you something is about to hurt, well something did. There was a serenity of pace, but coupled with a frenetic structure and vast range of stimuli meant this work was a painful exploration of persecution, loss of identity and heritage, but gorgeous and deeply satisfying. One of the most intelligent, well produced and delicious performances I’ve seen. A real nottdance favourite for me. Rachid is coming back for sure.

Bodies in Flight – so so so pleased to have showcased this regional company within the festival. The early morning walk was a touching experience, one that genuinely made me consider my day, my surroundings and ensured that my horrendous experience of carrying a flag base for 20 mins earlier that morning was vanished from my pain brain. The show was an opportunity to take time to reflect on all those times we’ve thought about what our fellow commuters are thinking, where they’ve come from and going too, what brought them to this point in their lives. The performers sang to us, danced for us and gave us a serene early morning walk that I doubt I’ll have in Nottingham anytime soon. Thank you.

And lastly blog, let me tell you about Hatch. Remember us talking about the need to continue to grow our presence internationally as a voice and showcase for experimental practice, whilst at the same time wishing to acknowledge that we’re a local festival too and that we should ensure we build relationships to the local artist community, well that vision was brought to life last night. Broad Street hasn’t been that lively since the mid-90’s. On a Tuesday night there were hundreds of people walking the streets, grabbing a drink and an eclectic range of artistic experiences. Reckless Sleepers kicked off the evening with Pilots and what followed was the most incredible energy from artists presenting can-can, burlesque, holiday pic slide shows and much much more….. a treat of an evening that contributed to this years festival in style.

So dear blog, must go as have to twitter and iron yet more glad rags. Hope to see you soon.

Paul