DDF News — 1 Feb 2019
#FestivalFlashback - Opening Performance No.2: Mark Morris plus Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (2004)
The inaugural Dublin Dance Festival laid the foundations to bring even more heavy hitters in the world of contemporary dance to Dublin stages, making 2004 another big year!
After the success of the inaugural Dublin Dance Festival in 2002, the city welcomed the second edition with open arms, and it’s no wonder, considering the dance legends that Founding Artistic Director, Catherine Nunes brought to the stages of Dublin!
Opening the Festival was the Mark Morris Dance Group with feel-good dance at its best in a mixed programme that included A Spell, Going Away Party, Serenade and Morris’s signature piece, Grand Duo.
Grand Duo © Mark Royce
The 2004 programme also saw Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and her extraordinary dance company, Rosas, make their debut in Ireland. Dublin audiences were treated to two performances: Rain – a singularly honest and minimalist work that hits you smack in the belly, ultimately leaving you reeling and gasping for more – and Once – a look back at De Keersmaeker’s own childhood giving audiences the rarest of chances to see the revered choreographer perform herself.
Rain © Anne Van Aerschot
15 years later, Rosas makes a welcome return to Dublin for the 15th Festival with a performance of the company’s seminal piece, Rosas danst Rosas. A dance experience for the record books and one not to be missed, whether new to dance or an aficionado.
Check back next week for another #FestivalFlashback!