This is elegance incarnate. Led by Artistic Director Karen
Gevorgyan, the Berd Dance Company of Armenia have come up with the dance
production Armenian Queens to highlight the pivotal role by three women (who
just happened to be queens) to Armenian culture and history. The dance communicates themes of elegance,
authority, and unity, using costume, symmetry, and restrained movement to
create a powerful visual impact. Almost
a thousand years separates these queens – the most recent being from the
1200s. However, what unites them is the endurance
and continuity of Armenian culture.
On the right hand side in purple we have Queen Parandzem
from the 4th century.To
Armenians she embodies strength and devotion and defended the country against
invading Persians till her gruesome death at their hands. On the left in green
we have Katranide I from the 9th century, symbolizing spiritual, Christian
values.Then in the middle in Burgundy
we have Zabel from the 13th century who symbolizes statehood and
dynastic continuity. She opened hospitals, shelters for the needy, and
supported the education of young people .I hope I have got them in the right order!
People often say they don’t make them like that anymore
when it comes to movies – and here is a great example of that. Go back 93 years (we might as well call it a
century) and Footlight Parade was released.
Although the plot isn’t anything to write home about (struggling
producer played by James Cagney at odds with the world) it featured a pretty
amazing Busby Berkely synchronized swimming dance sequence.
Take a host of swimmer-dancers, throw them into the water and tell
them to create a human waterfall. Well, hardly that simple.Looking at this footage, it must have taken
weeks if not months of preparation just to get three minutes on film.This was made just before the Motion Picture
Production Code came into force in 1934 (in a time generally known as “pre-code”).Although the code had been written in 1930 it
was largely ignored for a few years until the point at which films could not be
released before they had been given a certificate showing they had met the code’s
standards.
As such, the very scantily clad young ladies that you can
see here, as well as the camera angles at which they are sometimes filmed,
could still be seen today as slightly risqué. It is scarcely believable that this is almost
a hundred years old – as it is almost technically perfect. Plus it is
overflowing with a joie de vivre that we simply don’t see much in the moving
image these days – and certainly not for minutes at a time.It may well have fallen foul of the code had
it been released a year later, but I think that even though it is a little
naughty, it has an innocence to it that is quite charming. Although stunning on
the small screen, just imagine how this must have looked in a theater – it must
have blown people completely away. On a slight downside, I wonder how many of these girls had their dreams squashed by Hollywood. I am sure that many of them must have thought that this was their big break. Whatever, their fates, I am sure they were pleased with the end product, although I suspect the creation of this amazing number must have meant a lot of hanging around in heavy, wet costumes.
If you would like to learn more about how everyday folks
lived in these times, take a look at our People of 1925 feature article.
CDK Company does it again. Would you like to see some
amazing choreography, brought to life by a group of (again!) amazing dances.
Well, watch the (amazing) video below.You’ll be amazed – honestly!It’s
great to see that Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody still proves irresistible to young
artists, whose parents were probably not even born when it was a hit first time
around.This is a joyful and
unrestrained performance – a thrill to watch.
Directed and choreographed by Sergio Reis, this dance version of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen was
performed by the company in collaboration with Muziekgebouw (the venue in Amsterdam). CDKcompany
(also known as CDK Company or Cardo Dance Kingdom Company) is an international
dance collective based in the Netherlands that brings together a creative team
of choreographers and performers to produce high‑quality dance work and
training. The group focuses on innovative choreography, visual storytelling and
shared creative expression, often blending contemporary movement with striking
video and performance elements.As you
will see, this piece has all of that in spades.
The production was brought to life by producers Ivy Schoumacher and Bas Kunz,
with Jowha van de Laak as assistant director. The visual storytelling was
captured by director of photography @markvrhs and enhanced by colorist Ryan
Urzi. Assistant choreographers Mauro van de Kerkhof and Jowha van de Laak helped
refine the movement, making this adaptation a striking fusion of music and
dance.
Some random scrolling on my Instagram feed and a snippet
from this pops up! It’s Not That Serious,
a dance film by Ricky Ubeda (the mesmerising music is Sympathy by Vampire Weekend) really caught my attention. Although just a clip, I was immediately drawn
to a number of things which made me dash off (metaphorically) to find the whole
work. First and foremost I was drawn to the choreography (tight, unusual and giving many of
the dancers a chance to come to the forefront rather than focusing just on
the lead, Jonathan Paula).
Then there was the huge energy
that the dancers displayed. I am no
expert but some of the moves look challenging to say the least – I am sure that
they slept very well after the shoot! They look like they are giving the
performance of their lives and certainly look as if they are enjoying every moment
of it. Also, the way that this piece was
filmed is incredibly beautiful – one might say the aesthetic of it: hats off to Ubeda’s
direction here as well as the production by Ahmad Simmons and to the director of
photography Jonathas Nazareth. It all
comes together beautifully.
It is one of the most - if not the most - create pieces of contemporary
dance I have seen this year (although the Stromae inspired piece by ZAS Dance Platform
does stay very close to my heart).
I was intrigued to find out more about Ricky Ubeda, who I
had not heard of before. Ubeda first came to prominence when he won Season 11
of the American TV dance competition So You Think You Can Dance in 2014,
earning the title America’s Favorite Dancer along with a prize package that
included cash, magazine coverage and a role on Broadway. Since his win, he has built a successful
career in musical theatre and performance, appearing in Broadway productions
such as On the Town, Cats, Carousel and the revival of West Side Story. He took the lead in the dance revue musical Illinoise in 2023. If you think you have seen him at the movies, he also
appeared as Flaco in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story film adaptation. Ubeda continues to work as a dancer and performer in new stage projects including, of
course, the one featured here.
The comments on the YouTube about It’s Not That Serious are overwhelmingly
positive and enthusiastic. Viewers repeatedly describe the work as “amazing,”
“incredible,” and “a masterpiece,” and praise not only the choreography but
also the film-making, music and performance quality. Many comments highlight
the piece as powerful contemporary art, with some suggesting it is the best
work they have seen online in a long time (“art is not dead but alive and well”).
OK, so when people like videos on
YouTube, hyperbole is often their first resort when it comes to their comments, but I think
this outstanding work of contemporary dance truly deserves these accolades. Others predict that the video will gain
momentum and “blow up,” indicating strong audience engagement and shareability.
I do hope so because at the time of writing it only has 25K hits and deserves a
few more zeroes at the end!
A huge nod in the direction of the dancers, too. The cast of It’s Not That Serious features a diverse and
highly skilled group of performers, including Jonathan Paula
(@jonathanpaulaofficial), Bella Tagle (@bellamtagle), Gaby Diaz (@itsgabydiaz),
Dan Santiago (@dan.santiago), Amari Frazier (@amari.frazier), Christine Flores
(@christinefl0res), Brianna Keingatti (@briannakeingatti), Isabella Lynch
(@izzybella.rose), Nathaniel Chua (@nathaniel_chua_), Rebekah Brodsky
(@rebekahbrodsky), Tristan Ianiero (@tristan_ianiero), and Marc Cardarelli.
Together, they contribute a wide range of individuality, movement styles,
performance qualities and technical strengths, creating a cohesive and dynamic
ensemble that enhances the overall impact of the piece.
So now, sit back and enjoy the complete work below. You may
even need a moment to recover after the sheer intensity and physical demand of
watching this dance.There’s no shame in
that – the final frames of the video seem to indicate that the lead dancer, Jonathan, needed a rest,
too!
This is… amazing dance.
We keep getting asked for more dance on Kuriositas, so here’s something
very special. Don’t worry if you don’t
speak French – an explanation of what is going on in the song is below! The marvellous ZAS Dance Platform have created
something very special for this song, for which no official video exists (but
perhaps this should be it!). One commentator
has said that the “acting skills, body control and elegance are just breath
taking” – and I have to say I agree. This is an entrancing accompaniment to a
song which translated into English means “Bad Day”. So here are some Ukrainian
dancers interpreting a French song for a global audience.
Stromae’s “Mauvaise Journée” (that's the French title) describes the
frustrations of a day when everything seems to go wrong. The narrator
encounters small annoyances everywhere, from rude people to spilled coffee,
which pile up and make the day feel overwhelming. Despite the chaos, there’s a
humorous and ironic tone, showing that these struggles are relatable and
universal. By the end, the song offers a sense of relief and resilience,
reminding listeners that bad days pass and tomorrow is a fresh start.
The stunning choreography for this performance was created by Oleksii Bazela, who also performs as a dancer (in the black top) alongside Mykyta Shapoval and Maksym
Bondar. This work was presented as part of the ZAS Dance Platform, a creative
initiative showcasing innovative contemporary dance from emerging and
established choreographers. The platform provides a space for artists to
experiment, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives to the stage,
highlighting both technical skill and artistic expression. Through this
performance, Bazela and his fellow dancers explore movement and storytelling in
a dynamic and engaging way. The fact that the dancers are also very nice to look at doesn't go amiss either...
In 1915 a pair of newlyweds formed a company that was to become instrumental in the formation of modern dance as a genre. This odd pairing was to become infamous for performing in as little clothing as possible as much for their revolutionary dance styles. Quite a trick in the early part of the twentieth century.
See if you agree, but I thought there was something compulsive about this. Once the dance had started I just could not take my eyes off it. I guess it may be because when you normally see street dance then things happen so quickly you simply don’t get a chance to take in what is going on. Add a little Tai Chi style movement in to the dance and it can be even more perplexing - plus the fact the dancer is not as stick thin as the guys who normally do this (is there a little Blues Brothers going on here?) adds to the overall entrancement.
So, stand up Thai TV editor Sawang Treetippitak who created this with his trusty Canon T3i / 600D. The rest is just open-mouthed, drop-jawed history. Go Sawang!
Moving Athens is the latest in the series of Moving Cities filmed pieces created by Jevan Chowdhury where the inhabitants of cities around the world engage with their urban environment through the medium of dance. It serves as a reminded that despite its troubles, Greece still has so much to offer the world. And if still aren’t convinced take a look at our feature What have the Greeks ever done for us?
This almost defies definition but Dreams of the Last Butterflies is certainly this – something very special. Combining poetry, song, dance, and flame throwing among other things, this performance-film had me spellbound from start to finish. It is a dark ‘faerie tale’ written and directed by Zina Brown and is told by the last of the butterfly queens (wonderfully –quite ravishingly - performed here by the actor-dancers).
The last of the queens tells the story of her many species, how one by one they are disappearing from the world because of human intervention. Yet she is herself ultimately captured and the future of butterflies looks bleak…
Dreams of the Last Butterflies has wowed people at festivals across the world and has already won over ten awards. It was created in partnership with Saving Species.
If you enjoy our occasional forays in to dance here at Kuriositas then you are in for something of a treat. This dark and atmospheric dance performance is Abaddon, a place of suffering, purification and sensuality.
It was written and directed by Rogerio Silva, choreographed and performed by Harriet Waghorn and Troy Savic with music by Alaskan Tapes.
This is bonkers. A park bench may seem like a peaceful place to have your lunchtime sandwich but when you are joined by a menagerie of dancing African animals you know that any chance of quiet solitude is over. The Lion King this ain’t. Filmed on location in Merrion Square Park, Dublin, Lunchtime was written and directed by Andrew Barry. It features choreography by Lisa Tyrell of the Whynot Dance Company.
Come on, admit it. You’ve done it yourself. You have been put on hold and when you overcome the initial mild irritation you find that you’re listening to something that makes you want to slip in to the groove. So it is with Daniel who finds that a blast from the past proves irresistible. I’ll Hold was written, directed and danced by Daniel Cloud Campos (and if there was any more polymathy on display we would probably have to order a hit instead of a pizza…)
Ever wanted to do something different? When life becomes a routine, step out of the ordinary and follow your dreams. Shift follows a white-collar worker who escapes the confines of his working environment, exploring and dancing freely through the outside world.
Award winning Director Patrick Ryder and renowned creative director and choreographer Del Mak team up to create and direct this inspirational narrative based dance short film. Shift stars Renako McDonald famed for achieving runner's up position on Got To Dance, UK and Ireland's biggest reality TV talent dance show as contemporary couple act 'Alleviate'.
This is quite incredible to watch. Professional dancer Inka Tiitto just happens to be a champion indoor skydiver too. However, at some point she decided that to combine the two was a great idea.
She is right – it is – and she is something to behold as she seemingly effortlessly counters high speeds of up to 180mph. However, when you watch this you realise that her hope – that indoor skydiving can evolve in to a performing art – is not unrealistic. Can you imagine Swan Lake being recreated like this? This video was created by Great Big Story.
This will put a spring in to your step if all else fails… The students at AMDA (the American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in New York studied rigorously for their Fall Dance Concert of 2015. Named Iconic, it was a modern celebration of 20th Century dance on film re-imagined through live performance. Cain DeVore, an independent filmmaker and screenwriter, actor and teacher put this video together to inspire the students.
It is a whistle-stop tour of the best dance in movies from the 1920s up to the present day. Pop Dancin Fool by Barry Manilow over the clips and you get a truly exhilarating few minutes. As well as a reminder of what has been achieved in the past this video, in its own way, lays down the gauntlet for today’s filmmakers – get dance fully and properly back in to the movies now!
The full list is below if you want to see how many movies you spotted correctly.
Writer and director Rogerio Silva created Edifice after watching dancers Carmine De Amicis and Harriet Waghorn rehearse. He was, to put it in his own words: “taken with the honesty of the movement and how Carmine and Harriet supported each other equally throughout. There were no gender roles and I liked that they could reverse their roles and everything would still work”. The result is a mesmerising dance short.
A man writes off his ex-lover by manifesting a ‘river’ of female dancers to act as an extension of his indifference toward her.
Featuring the music of Justin Timberlake, Cry Me a River was directed and choreographed by Andrew Winghart. It stars George Lawrence II and a host of women dancers too numerous to mention here (they are listed on the Vimeo page).
Si tu le veux translates as if you want it – and this remarkable short piece directed and edited by Grégoire Thiry, screenplay written by Lou Bruston and starring Nathan Cohen shows that you should not let things get in your way either particularly when it comes to self-expression. You may be surprised by the moves that Nathan is able to produce but their message is more profound that simply look what I can do – it’s a signal to us too to go out and excel at what we enjoy. As the end title says – if you want to dance, then dance.
Dance With Me offers us snapshots of a relationship, beautifully transitioned to give us a sense of the dynamic between the couple.
Written and Directed by Cristina Molino, Dance With Me is a Think Mol & BalletBoyz film for the UK's Channel 4 UK in association with Arts Council England. It is exquisite, elegant and elegiac.
Some things simply make the eyebrows rise in an almost Vulcanesque involuntariness. Mr Spock would possibly have a few ironic words to say here but for simple joie de vivre there isn’t much that could beat this. German dance group DDD (Dancefloor Destruction Crew) go baths to their roots (at least costume wise) and perform a spectacular routine which may have your jaw on the floor as often as these young men have their legs in the air.
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