Ostrobothnia dances again 13.-16.3.2024
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An established tradition, the Pohjanmaa Dances event once again brings inspiring and captivating dance to Vaasa – this time in a new spring season slot!
The Regional Dance Centre in Ostrobothnia will once again organize a high-quality and diverse dance art event in Vaasa in March. Performances will take place not only on the Julia Stage of Vaasa City Theatre, but also at the Main Library’s Drama Hall and in the Rewell Center. The program will also include a dance workshop and an encounter between dance and the art of words through poetry and spoken performance.
Play, interaction, and dialogue between art forms at the heart of the program
The event week begins on Wednesday, March 13, at 18:00 in the Main Library’s Drama Hall with a free performance by Tanssivat Timantit (The Dancing Diamonds) titled Encounters.
Tanssivat Timantit is an inclusive dance group based in Kokkola. It was founded by choreographer Kati Raatikainen, originally from Kokkola, together with local dancers Maria Lahti, Jarmo Patana, and Sanna Tornikoski. In addition to the group’s dancers, the piece features dance artists Riina Kalmi and Anders Lillhonga. The choreography and production are by Kati Raatikainen, sound design by Markku Essel, and visual design by Minttu Nikula.
As its title suggests, Encounters explores a variety of embodied meetings. Playful, touching, and spontaneous interaction evolves from the performers’ encounters with each other and extends to encounters between the performers and the audience. Visual and sonic elements blend exuberantly with human bodies. The choreographic approach of the work is based on respect for the interrelatedness of life and existence: everything in the manifest world is interconnected, influenced by others, supported by others, coexisting, and in constant relation.
The performance is free of charge, and group audiences are especially welcome. Groups can register via email through the Regional Dance Centre in Ostrobothnia: reija.penttinen@pohjanmaantanssi.fi.
Spectators are warmly invited to attend with their own sensory experience in mind. A few pairs of ear protectors are available for sound-sensitive visitors, and personal ones may also be brought. Audiences are free to move or leave during the performance. The venue is fully accessible.
A new addition to the program: a site-specific premiere “Liminal Spaces”
Liminal Spaces is a site-specific work by choreographer-dancer Janne Aspvik and musician-sound designer Markku Essel. The piece explores three different liminal spaces through movement and sound.
When we travel, we move from point A to point B. The journey between these two points can be seen as representing life itself – with a beginning and an end. Life, then, is a liminal space in its own right. Relationships, careers, and interests can also be viewed as liminal states. Awareness of this can create a sense of urgency – the feeling that one must accomplish everything before time runs out. This can be both a good and a bad thing. It is important to find balance between urgency and presence. Liminal Spaces examines this state of being.
The performance will take place amid the bustle of the city, in Rewell Center on Thursday, March 14, at 16:00. The event is open and free to all.
This year’s program also includes an open workshop exploring the movement techniques of Friday’s performance
On Friday, March 15, at 19:00, the Julia Stage of Vaasa City Theatre will host the duet Either put on these glasses or start eating that trash can by Matti Haaponiemi and Anders Lillhonga.
At the heart of their improvisational work lies interaction and play, combining the heroes of childhood action films, pop culture, computer games, and the mysticism, aesthetics, and pseudoscience of Eastern martial arts. Alongside tangible physicality, the work overflows with analog and synthetic sound and video landscapes created by the artists themselves.
Before the actual performance day, on Thursday, March 14, Haaponiemi and Lillhonga will lead a related workshop Tie toiseen (The Path to the Other) in collaboration with Budokan ry. The workshop introduces participants to Haaponiemi and Lillhonga’s partnering technique. The workshop is open to all, and registration can be made via email to reija.penttinen@pohjanmaantanssi.fi.
A cross-artistic dialogue crowns the Pohjanmaa Dances week on Saturday
On Saturday, March 16, at 19:00, the evening begins with Runonkulkijat’s performance A Shoe Draws a Rose Blossom, a Lily Blossom at Vaasa City Theatre’s restaurant.
Runonkulkijat (“The Poem Wanderers”) is a poetry recital group from Vaasa whose cross-artistic and emotionally resonant performances have inspired audiences across Finland for 30 years. For the Pohjanmaa Dances event, they will present excerpts from their extensive career. Performers include Tytti Hyttilä-Huhta, Arja Koukku, and Airi Ropponen-Lindroos.
At 19:20, the Julia Stage will feature a work that combines dance, music, and the art of words: My Dreams Do Not Fear the Dark.
The performance is part of the Poems in Motion concept and series, an ongoing project by dance artist Hanna Korhonen since 2018. The concept creates contemporary dance and soundscapes inspired by contemporary poetry and prose.
The music for My Dreams Do Not Fear the Dark is composed by Niina Hannula, the literary text is by poet Pekka Kytömäki, and lighting design is by Elina Nopanen. The work explores the resonances that words create with dance, sound, and music. Do they resist each other, argue, comment, spark, or find fleeting harmony?
After every performance of the Pohjanmaa Dances event, there will be an artist discussion open to all audience members.
Tickets for all Julia Stage performances are available from Vaasa City Theatre’s box office and via NetTicket.
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