Dublin Dance Festival 2018 “This year’s artists are offering strong images of protest, hope and compassion, coming together in the struggle against all kinds of apathy.” So says Dublin Dance Festival’s Artistic Director, Benjamin Perchet, launching Dublin Dance Festival 2018, which will run across the city from May 2nd to May 20th. With international highlights including flamenco returning to The Abbey, The English National Ballet returning to Dublin for the first time in 55 years, and Greek choreographer Christos Papadopoulos returning following a hugely successful “Elvedon” last year, Dublin Dance Festival 2018 is certainly aiming big. Throw in some Shamanism, Artificial Intelligence, traditional Muslim rituals, encounters with Yvonne Rainer, inspirations of Baroque still life painting, the sixth sense of belonging, a competitive dance battle, countless opportunities to discuss and explore dance from various perspectives and some of the best that Ireland has to offer, including the inimitable Liz Roche Company and the ground breaking Junk Ensemble, and already you’re running out of breath. In a programme that seems spoilt for choice, Dublin Dance Festival 2018 offers something for everyone. Highlights include: The English National Ballet opening the 2018 Dublin Dance Festival with Akram Khan’s breathtaking re-imagining of Giselle performed by a cast of 40 dancers under Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo, and accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Catedral , a masterpiece from ground-breaking star of the flamenco world Patricia Guerrero Hard To Be Soft – A Belfast Prayer , trail-blazing dancer and choreographer Oona Doherty's reflection on her hometown A guide through the seven mortal sins in And so you see ...created by controversial choreographer and social commentator Robyn Orlin in partnership with Albert Khoza, a flamboyant young performer from Soweto Junk Ensemble's powerful new work Dolores , inspired by Nabokov’s novel Lolita, told from the perspective of the once-silenced girl,and featuring a cast of acclaimed performers including Mikel Murfi and Amanda Coogan Following the success of the captivating Elvedon at DDF2017, Greek choreographer Christos Papadopoulos returns with the meditative and hypnotic universe of Ion At the Science Gallery, Dancing Artificial Intelligence (DAI) – a robot who is an Artificial Intelligence artist, learning how to dance day after day A special programme at IMMA of the work of Yvonne Rainer , one of the most influential American artists of the last 50 years, including some of her iconic early dance works (b)reaching stillness in which choreographer Lea Moro takes Baroque Still Life Painting as a starting point, creating a cycle of collapse and resurrection Liz Roche Company's Wrongheaded which emerged amidst the call to repeal the 8th Amendment and merges film, voice and movement to confront the stark realities of women’s rights and freedom of choice in Ireland today Leila’s Death , a stirring work by Lebanese choreographer and performer Ali Chahrour, which delves into the fading tradition of professional Shiite mourners The Top 8 Street Dance Battle showcasing the best Irish and international street dancers, back after a storming, sold-out show last year For audiences aged 7+, Philippe Saire's magical children’s show Hocus Pocus at the Ark takes the audiences on a fantastical voyage The Dance on Film programme with Akram Khan's Can We Live With Robots? and Bobbi Jo Hart's Rebels on Pointe which tells the story of the all-male comic ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo A Life of Play , a creative dance and play project for children aged 5–10 and their older family members aged 50+ with Emma O’Kane A chance to see new Irish dance work from artists Ruairí Donovan, Iseli-Chiodi Dance Company and Jessie Keenan in the First Looks programme A rich series of talks, discussions, symposia and master classes for those interested in knowing more about dance, or coming to dance for the first time Over the years, Dublin Dance Festival has become one of the most eclectic, diverse, and exciting festivals in the Irish arts calendar, richly rewarding audiences year upon year. Alongside its unique sense of warmth and welcome, the sheer scope and scale of its ambition, its ability to deliver some of the most innovative and engaging performances, has proven to be as rich as it is deep. In the words of Artistic Director, Benjamin Perchet; “Dublin Dance Festival’s promise is as purposeful as it is joyful. We wish audiences a thrilling journey and experiences that challenge perceptions." So get booking now to avoid disappointment. To find out more about DDF2018, including a downloadable copy of the DDF2018 programme, please check out Dublin Dance Festival Tel: +353 1 679 86 58 f/DublinDanceFestival t/@DublinDanceFest I/@dublindancefestival Youtube.com/dublindancefest BOOKING Online From 13 March www.dublindancefestival.ie In Person From 23 April Dublin Dance Festival Box Office, Festival House,12 East Essex Street,Temple Bar, Dublin 2 Open Mon–Fri: 10:30am–6pm Sat: 11am–6pm Sun: 12pm–3pm(Closed Sun 29 April) By Phone From 23 April +353 1 673 0660 Lines open as per Box Office hours above #Article #DublinDanceFestival2018