Self-expression can be portrayed several ways. This includes fine art, music and my favourite, dance. It allows dancers to explore the way their body moves and tell their own stories. Furthermore, it helps people connect through the power of movement.
What Is It About?
M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival is back this year, featuring numerous contemporary dance performances choreographed by our local dance artists and collaborating with international choreographers. Holding its 11th Edition: Replugged, this year’s festival highlights the struggles and breakthrough of 2020 and 10 years of exceptional milestones.
It features ‘live’ performances created by extremely talented choreographers from different parts of the world. Apart from that, live streaming of these shows is also accessible digitally. This festival is the perfect anthem of optimism and gratitude before preparing for a new outlook next year!
Several contemporary dance performances will be showcased from June 5th to July 4th. Each of these performances have its own unique story told by choreographers through the beautiful art of dance.
Dance At Dusk
This first showcase aims to cultivate a deeper appreciation of the art of dance through various performances by T.H.E Second Company and Tung Ka Wai, Access Path Production associate artist. Its first item revisits an excerpt from choreographer Kuik Swee Boon’s 2013 ‘Parallel’.
Performing their own rendition, it was created as a tribute to the pioneering members of T.H.E.’s main company. It portrays the beauty of nonconformity and difference, having each performer showcase their unique qualities and contributions.
Another item features Marcus Foo’s ‘This Is How We Meet/Part – Phase 3’ as it dives into human connection and things that happen when meeting and parting. It mirrors the Second Company’s existence as a space of work transition. Apart from that, it showcases the complications of different bodies as they come across each other’s wants and needs.
Details
18 June 2021 – 6.30pm and 8.00pm
19 & 20 June 2021 – 6.30pm* and 8.00pm
Venue: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
Free admission
*Available on YouTube livestream.
Interbeing – A Double Bill
This next showcase acts as a declaration of being in the present, to carry on and keep making. ‘Contactless’ by Jos Baker delves how the body remains key when the future brings restricted travel. Jos Baker’s item crosses several mediums to search for the essence of communication.
Another item is called, ‘Desidium’ by Dimo Kivilor Milev. It uses simple instruments to bring about layers of subtle intimations. The entire process of both of these items remains as purely virtual experiences when they were first presented online in late last year. It is actually the company’s first experiment with creating, rehearsing and premiering new works for their audience.
Details
25 & 26 June 2021 – 3.00pm and 8.00pm
Venue: Esplanade Theatre Studio and SISTIC Live
Admission
Standard: $38 | Concession: $25 | Livestream: $15+
(Excluding SISTIC booking fee)
M1 Open Stage
Sit back and be entertained by these four highly personal works. ‘Nak Dara’ by Hasyimah Harith, as she self-soothes and communicate with her audience over the portrayal of nafsu – malay word for insatiable appetites. This item aims to explore the different perspective on who owns and claims ownership of our bodies.
‘Tapography of Breath’ by Pat Toh shows a differet mode of mastery over our bodies. It resembles HIIT, as it maps the corporation of exhaustion on an active terrain of muscularity and breath. An item by Aiden Tan titled, ’10-6 into the SKIN’ uncovers our desires to dive into the unknown to search for greater depths.
The final item for this showcase is by Wayne Ong and Leia Ang. Titled ‘Lazarus Parable Movement’, is inspired by the biblical account, and offers an emotional interpretation of its chasmic consequences.
Details
28, 29 & 30 June 2021 – 8.00pm
Venue: Esplanade Annexe Studio
Admission
Standard: $28 | Concession: $20
(Excluding SISTIC booking fee)
Off Stage
This showcase reciprocates the vulnerability and fearlessness in each work. ‘Moving Through Touch’ by Chua Pei Yun and Maybelle Lek alternates between the giver and receiver of touch. Each contact point and sensations unlock a wide range of the possibilities of movements.
Chloe Chua’ ‘Limbo’ explores how the act of repeating can dilute meaning and add importance at the same time. The final item is by Xenres Kinishima and is titled, ‘Vessel’. This item cast an eye on the fixation on physical perfection. It aims to create awareness around the silence of addiction, to the joy and relief of performing and consuming performances.
Details
1 July 2021 – 8.00pm
2 July 2021 – 7.00pm and 9.00pm
Venue: T.H.E Dance Studio @ Goodman Arts Centre
Admission
Standard: $8 | Concession: $5
Co.Lab.Asians
This showcase features independent dance artists from different disciplines, exchanging new insights, progression, and modes of approach within their current practices.
‘Terbalek’ by Ruby Jayaseelan depicts a candid portrayal of a body in unrest. This item is intensified by sound design by Bani Haykal and arranged installations by Irfan Kasban. Furthermore, it reorders dynamics, connecting the dancer, audience and space.
An item by Syimah Sabtu is titled, ‘H A S E R’ made its way back to the festival as a fully realised production. It dives into the duality through recognising the silence in strength. Syimah Sabtu goes about the fine balance between compensation and negotiation to achieve stability.
Details
3 & 4 July 2021 – 3.00pm and 8.00pm
Venue: Esplanade Annexe Studio
Admission
Standard: $28 | Concession: $20
(Excluding SISTIC booking fee)
These are such insightful and extraordinary contemporary dance performances by these creative and talented choreographers. As a dancer myself, I am sure that this is a platform for me to know and appreciate the beauty of dance. It will also allow me to expose myself to the wonderful world of contemporary dance.
Book your tickets now and head down to these locations to be entertained by these exciting and interesting contemporary dance performances.
This article was first published on Gutbitez.com.
