Following the success of its Dance Insights event in January 2020, Birmingham’s DanceXchange is presenting a season of Dance Insights Online, a curated programme of performances, conversations and more.
The programme will be curated by DanceXchange’s 2020 artists in residence: Carlos Pons Guerra, Jamaal Burkmar, Johnny Autin, Shane Shambhu and Roberta Jean. Each programme will be online for two weeks and offer insights into the creative process and minds of the artists.
First up is choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra, founder of DeNada Dance Theatre. A selection of his work is now being presented online to May 10, focusing on his inspirations and life as an artist. Included is the online premiere of his 2018 work TORO: Beauty and the Bull, a darkly erotic, Hispanic take on the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.
Photo Heather Thorne
On April 30 at 4pm, he will be joined by choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa for a live discussion about how their Hispanic heritage influences their work, their subversion of gender roles in ballet and contemporary dance and their relationship with trash and high art. We are warned to expect a fun and camp insight into the work of both choreographers.
Following the live discussion, audiences will be able to tune in to an online version of Lopez Ochoa’s all-female work Les Biches, choreographed for Seattle-based company Whim W’him, and Pons Guerra’s male duet Ruffle, originally created for Rambert. The films will both be available to view until May 1.
On May 1, listeners can tune into DX on Spotify as Pons Guerra shares some of the kitschiest, most melodramatic and uplifting tracks from some of his works.
On May 4, he will recommend six of his most influential books and inspiring films, all available to read/watch online during quarantine. Finally, on May 5, he’s taking over DanceXchange’s Instagram for the day.
Lucie Mirkova, Head of Artistic Programmes at DanceXchange says, “In these challenging times when our arts venues and studios are closed, we are keen to find ways to continue the rich dialogue between artists and audience. Dance Insights Online offers a fascinating exploration of what inspires and interests the talented choreographers in DanceXchange’s Artists in Residence programme – an exclusive and unique opportunity to connect to the world of dance.”
For full details of Carlos Pons Guerra’s Dance Insights programme visit www.dancexchange.org.uk
Future Dance Insights look at Jamaal Burkmar (May 11-24), Johnny Autin (May 25-June 7), Shane Shambhu (June 8-21) and Roberta Jean (June 22-July 5). Each programme will be announced via DanceXchange social media with the full programme on the DanceXchange website.