Monthly Archives: December 2015

Sadler’s Wells partners with the Google Cultural Institute

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Launched on Tuesday 1st December 2015, as part of an exciting new initiative from Google, Sadler’s Wells is one of a group of performing arts organisations who have joined the Google Cultural Institute, and are inviting people to view a new and unique interactive experience.

In a first-of-its-kind exhibition, viewers can peruse content from productions at a range of different venues including Carnegie Hall or Palais Garnier, as well as over a hundred and fifty interactive stories about the shows, the stars and the world behind the scenes.

The Sadler’s Wells exhibition allows viewers to experience a year in the life of the theatre, with some exclusive behind the scene Getty images, and discover the making of Sutra, including photographs of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Antony Gormley, and the Shaolin Monks.

Amit Sood, Director of the Google Cultural Institute commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with so many of the world’s renowned performing arts institutions representing the best in drama, dance, music, and opera. We brought all these organisations all together for the first time in one virtual space. Our goal is to open up performing arts to the newcomer and offer access to details that even die-hard fans have seen before.”

The new online exhibitions are now open on the Google Cultural Institute website and is available for anyone on mobiles, tablets and desktop computers.

BBC’s Imagine features Carlos Acosta

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Renowned international dancer Carlos Acosta is the subject of an upcoming episode of BBC’s Imagine documentary.

Carlos Acosta: Cuba Calls will be broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday 8 December 2015 at 10.35pm and offer audiences a fascinating insight into the Cuban artist’s career as a ballet dancer and choreographer and his exciting plans for the future.

Acosta is celebrating his 26-year career on stage with a new production. Carlos Acosta – A Classical Selection will be at the London Coliseum from 8 to 13 December 2015. The programme will include some of Acosta’s favourite works from the classical repertoire and will see him perform alongside guests from The Royal Ballet. Tickets are available here.

 

Photo: Carlos Acosta by Johan Persson

Breakin’ America: bringing hip hop dance theatre to the US

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Breakin’ Convention brought its trademark hip hop dance theatre spectacular stateside in October with a successful tour to New York and North Carolina.  The line-up presented by the renowned Sadler’s Wells festival included breakdance crew The Ruggeds, dancer and choreographer Antoinette Gomis, hip hop duo Compagnie Phorm and dance company BirdGang.

The first stop was Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. The arts centre embraced the project wholeheartedly, working closely with the Breakin’ Convention team and truly making the festival their own.

“Breakin’ Convention has been this unifying event in the community that brought together people from all walks of life,” said Tom Gabbard, President of Blumenthal Performing Arts. “That’s probably always an important thing, but at this unique moment in time, in our country, I think those kind of unifying activities are more important than ever.”

Breakin’ Convention will return to Charlotte for the next two years, building of this success and acting as catalyst for the continued development of hip hop theatre in the region.

The team then went to Harlem’s Apollo Theater in New York – where it had toured for the first time in June 2013 to great acclaim. It was a second opportunity for Breakin’ Convention to take hip hop theatre to the birthplace of hip hop and promote the development of the art form in the US. The atmosphere in the Apollo Theater was electric and the festival was not only loved by the audience, but also an emotional experience for the dance artists, who felt humbled by the chance to follow in the footsteps of so much African-American jazz, soul, funk and hip hop talent by performing on stage.

In his review of the event in The New York Times, Alastair Macaulay wrote: “It’s to be hoped that Breakin’ Convention — first and last seen here two years ago — becomes as established in New York as it is in London.”

 

Image: Jonzi D and Boris ‘Bluz’ Rogers host Breakin’ Convention at the Levine Center for the Arts’ Knight Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Daniel Coston

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This year, as part of the #GivingTuesday global awareness and fundraising initiative, we’re asking people to help us support our Associate Schools Programme and Community Outreach Work by donating online.

Among the projects through which we engage our community is the internationally renowned Company of Elders, Sadler’s Wells’ resident over-60s performance group, who prove in this short film that it’s never too late to start dancing! youtu.be/eYvTtBhuoEA

“Being part of a reputable dance company for older people much increases my sense of self-worth and wellbeing” Company Member, Aged 64

The money we raise will help us give local community groups and schools access to:

  • studio time with Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists and acclaimed choreographers
  • dance workshops, rehearsals and performances at Sadler’s Wells
  • social interaction, self-confidence and independence through creative exercise and mental stimulation

Today is a good day to support the dance you love: https://secure.sadlerswells.com/support/donate