We intend to converge numerous participants (scholars, journalists, performers, critics, cultural operators. etc.) arriving from the four corners of the globe and most especially, from every part of Nigeria into the city of Lagos, to mingle with the hundreds of existing ones in Lagos during a week, the mornings will be moments for forums, round-table conferences, each day with its own special dish on the table, which includes:
- Contemporary Dance on the African continent: An imported household branding or a local craft for export?
- Deconstructing the mask, body, image and space: Creating larger territories for dream.
- Culturing the monetized Nigerian art-face: Choreographing a “DANCE BOOM”
It will be opened to professionals, while priority will be given to students of art from universities all over Nigeria and then the general public.
Our anticipated moderators includes Funmi Adewole, Bisi Silva and Dominique Malaquais.
In the Afternoon, there will be screening of different dance related films, followed by discussions coupled around the propositions of the screened films, in the presence of the film makers/choreographers, amongst which are.
- (Movement (R)evolution by Joan D. Frosch) A story of an art form in four acts.
- (Do we need cola-cola to dance? by Qudus Onikeku) The younger generation wants to know.
- (Black Spring by Benoit Derveaux & Heddy Maalem) A filmed version of the controversial dance piece "Black Spring".
It will be opened to professionals while priority will be given to students of art from universities all over Nigeria and then the general public.
While the evenings will be moments of performance. Three performances each night, at The National Theatre, showcasing works of few Nigerian companies, African creators and established choreographers in the African world, some of our envisaged participants include Gongbeat productions, Crown troupe of Africa, Alajotas dance company, Ijodee dance company, Heddy Maalem dance company, Cie d'1 Autre Monde, Studios Kabako, Emil Abossolo-Mbo, Kettly Noel & Nelisiwe Xaba, and Yk projects. It will be opened to the general public, and followed by interactive section between the audience and the featured choreographers at the end of each evening.
