On style, movement language and working processes as a choreographer

Interview with Michaela Cisarikova of MCDC

On the weekend of the first May Bank Holiday Breakin’ Convention took place once again at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.

Founded by Jonzi D. “Breakin’ Convention is the award-winning and critically acclaimed organisation that represents the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from around the world and around the corner. Working with the most respected, innovative and inspirational artists, Breakin’ Convention seeks to position hip hop dance alongside more historically established art forms, through our world-renowned international festivals, professional development, youth projects and educational programme.” ~ http://breakinconvention.com/about-us

This year, Michaela Cisarikova, artistic director and choreographer of Michaela Cisarikova Dance Company, was invited to showcase her work ‘aLove Story’ and we joined the festival to see her work and experience the excitement, thoughtfulness and excellence of hip hop dance theatre.

We were struck by the beauty of Michaela’s work and we were curious to learn more about her work and her movement language.

© Imoje Aikhoje – Michaela Cisarikova performing ‘aLove Story’

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Fourth Kaleidoscopic Arts Platform: Review by Fiona Yates

Situated in Wilditch Community Centre, Kaleidoscopic Arts Fourth Platform has a welcoming ‘come as you are’ vibe. Framing the space is Elisabeth Schilling’s Stadtkörper – an exhibition of photos from historic spots in Berlin with Schilling in place as a dancer. They’re subtle but give a sense that the platform has claimed the space and mean that even before the performances start there’s an artistic presence.

Fourth Kaleidoscopic Arts Platform: Review by Tia Asterope

Empowering the Female Voice

Kaleidoscopic Arts Platform, Fourth Platform reviewed by Tia Asterope at Wilditch Community Centre, London SW11 5BB, May 19

The independent choreographers Lucia Schweigert and Konstantina Skalionta began curating the contemporary dance platform Kaleidoscopic Arts in 2014. These experimental events showcase work by emerging female choreographers in alternative performance spaces and are appended by post-show talks. The fourth platform, part of the Wandsworth Fringe Festival, was held at the Wilditch Community Centre in Battersea and featured short dances by Helen Cox, Jayne Port, Lucidez Dance and Feet off the Ground Dance.

Guest post by Maria Hardcastle

Interview with choreographer Kaia Goodenough

Following her latest performance, choreographer and artistic director of Limb Dance Co., Kaia Goodenough, talks feminism, artistic inspiration, and the issues with cross collaboration.

Abstract Romanticism by Limb Dance Co., photograph: Michelle Rose

Sixth network meeting for professional development

Value your work and empower yourself – meeting led by Konstantina Skalionta and Lucia Schweigert

At our sixth professional development meeting we talked about the fact that often emerging choreographers take unpaid or underpaid opportunities to show their work. While we believe there should be adequate payment, for this meeting we decided to work with the current reality and explored how, under the given circumstances, you can make sure you receive what you need and feel respected and valued at all times when accepting such opportunities.

On sacrifice, opportunity, bureaucracy and bringing about change

Susan Kempster’s work ‘Black Widow’ was showcased as part of this year’s Resolution, The Place’s annual festival for emerging artists. Amongst other themes the piece tackles the issue that dance artists do very little dancing, but lots of other work. It is part of our mission to enable artists to grow artistically and to help them understand and be efficient with all the other work they need to do to make their career work. Therefore we wanted to hear more about Susan’s ideas.

Susan Kempster and Nicholas Minns in ‘Black Widow’

Emerging or ‘Impressing the Grand Duke’

As part of Resolution 2017, The Place’s annual festival for emerging artists, Simone Mousset and Elisabeth Schilling performed ‘Impressing the Grand Duke’, a piece about everything to do with the process of “emerging”. Since Kaleidoscopic Arts’ mission includes supporting emerging artists, we wanted to know more about Elisabeth’s and Simone’s ideas.

Photo: Bohumil Kostohryz