Since 2010, BAM has produced DanceMotion USA, a program funded by the US Department of State to promote diplomacy and cultural exchange through dance. This year, we sent four contemporary American dance companies to represent the United States on artistic missions in four regions around the world. Using dance as a language, they forged lifelong connections—both artistically and personally—with the artists and audiences they met during their travels.
The dancers were our eyes and ears on tour, sharing videos, photos, and blog posts as they traveled. We are featuring highlights from each of the four companies’ journeys here on the BAM blog.
The celebrated talent of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago set off for Chicago’s sister city, Casablanca, to start a tour through the North African desert and Andalusian mountains.
At the airport, they shared their nerves with us, but were soon overwhelmed by the incredible food, markets, and marble mosques of Morocco. In Marrakech, they led a contemporary dance flash mob in the public square. David Schultz proved he is not just a dancer, but a photographer. And Matt Miller, the company's quiet yet loquacious technical director, sent us the first of his many incredible blogs, which describe the world of Morocco with whimsy and wonderment.
Skipping the sea to the North, Spain brought a more familiar atmosphere, but it also surprised all of us. Company manager Ishanee Devas’ post about her discovery of Spain’s widespread unemployment—while trying to launder costumes—was a window into the country’s harder times. Under a bridge in Seville, we watched as the company taught students with Down’s Syndrome, and were totally inspired by their ability to express themselves freely through movement. There were the Roma children in Valencia performing songs from their families for us over YouTube. There was, of course, flamenco. Paella. And then there was Matt thinking—deeply thinking—about what it would mean to use a bidet. (Really. “Consider the bidet!”)
- Photos by the dancers from Morocco, Spain, Algeria
- The dancers’ video recap of the tour
- More videos from their journey
- All the blog posts from Hubbard Street
This is very impressive post with every minute details mentioned and clearly expressed,great job.Dance Academy in Mohali
ReplyDelete