During our 52 years of existence, we have always been celebrating the energy of dance for a wide audience. In June 2024 we will return to The Joyce Theater in New York – our last visit was in 2012! This time we are presenting a full-length program consisting of three outstanding ballets of famous choreographers: Kaash by Akram Khan, Concerto by Lucinda Childs and Cantata by Mauro Bigonzetti.
Concerto – Lucinda Childs
To the propulsive music by Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, seven dancers race past you like whirlwinds in Concerto. With tiny variations and shifts, Childs creates a kaleidoscopic jewel: seemingly simple, but oh so refined and masterful. Lucinda Childs is one of the iconic ‘grand old ladies’ of American modern dance. Her movement language is absolutely unique: in an abstract, almost mathematical fashion the ‘queen of minimal dance’ uses relatively simple ballet and athletic movements to create hugely complex masterpieces. There is a special bond between Childs and Introdans: Introdans is the only Dutch company allowed to perform her work. In addition to existing top-level dance pieces the group has now also produced three world premieres of her work.
‘The sparkling ‘Concerto’ by Lucinda Childs is now one of Introdans’ big hits: a lively and swinging example of dance mathematics. To the music of Górecki the dancers form strictly conceived but also airy formations, spreading out with minimal variations in all directions.’ – Trouw
Kaash – Akram Khan
Kaash by Akrak Khan created an absolute sensation at its world premiere in 2002 and made the British-Bengali choreographer famous virtually overnight. As a spectator you feel as if stepping into a story as Khan leads you into his special cosmos, in a swirling mix of Indian Kathak dance and contemporary dance. The dancers use their feet as percussion instruments while their arms cut razor-sharp through the air.
‘Kaash stands as a striking work of pure dance that takes the spectator on a journey from the vast echo of outer space down into the red-hot centre of the Earth’ – The Times
Cantata – Mauro Bigonzetti
In this earthy and passionate high-energy piece Cantata, the choreographer brings to life a range of characters from an Italian village. Men and women vie with each other in powerful ensemble dances, and then come together in wonderful duets that are sometimes dramatic or melancholy, and then again light and humorous. As a spectator it’s hard to remain unmoved by this exuberant ode to Italian folk culture, to love, and perhaps above all to madness. In previous performances, Cantata invariably received standing ovations.
‘In Cantata the Introdans dancers display fiery and exuberant temperament on bare feet.’ – Dance Magazine