CARDIFF DANCE FESTIVAL | ART PREVIEW
This autumn South Wales’ inaugural event, Cardiff Dance Festival (CDF15), takes to the city’s stages in a two week programme of performances and workshops. Presented by Chapter, the Dance House and Wales Millennium Centre, CDF15 will be the first of a prospective biennial concept which aims to promote a thriving dance community in Cardiff. The festival will bring together a series of Welsh-based companies and practitioners along with UK and international artists to exhibit their productions between the 10th and 22nd November.
This year’s event, which explores the relationship between dance and music, will comprise of performances by National Dance Company Wales, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Eddie Ladd. In addition, the festival will play host to renowned, award-winning artists ZooNation, Dana Michel and Igor and Moreno, to name a few. From heartfelt solo pieces to impacting group shows, CDF15 promises a wide variety of talent to appeal to all lovers of expressive art.
With the aim of developing and reaching new audiences, the festival will also be offering a range of interactive projects and discussions that will get you thinking beyond the physical form of dance. Ranging from a series of informal facilitated talks with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and National Dance Company Wales, to an intensive two day course for dance and theatre practitioners with Earthfall’s Joint Artistic Director, Jessica Cohen, CDF15 has got something for everyone, from novice to professional.
For younger performers, National Dance Company Wales are also presenting the Interactive Schools Matinee, which allows students to join the dancers as they warm up and watch the company perform Alexander Ekman’s Tuplet before taking part in a Q&A.
The festival commences on Tuesday 10th November with Theatr Genedlaethol’s Dawns Ysbrydion/Ghost Dance opening the show at the Dance House, after its premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival earlier this year. Based on the tragic drowning of Capel Celyn in 1956, Dawns Ysbrydion explores the international perspective of the event and how it remains relevant today.
Combining performances, audience participation and professional development, the festival encompasses a range of events that are set to kick off the beginning of a new, exciting project for South Wales.
Cardiff Dance Festival 2015, various venues across Cardiff, Tues 10-Sun 22 Nov. Tickets: prices vary per event. Info: www.dance.wales
words HOLLY MORGAN