Entries by Janet Edwards

We now have the programme for the Dance Algarve Performances, on the evenings of Thursday April 1st and Friday April 2nd.

On Thursday the evening starts with John Mowat's interpretation of The Tempest, by William Shakespeare - a dark and magical visualisation of this famous play, demonstrating how communication can be achieved using gesticulation and mime, with very little dialogue. This is indeed the genre for which John is so well known.
It will be performed by three actors from the Chapitô Theatre in Lisbon; Jorge Cruz, Marta Cerqueira and Tiago Viegas.

Following this, the Cape Junior Ballet will dance for us - a mixed programme performed with their customary enthusiasm, energy and technical expertise. Attendees of Dance Algarve 2008 will remember the joy of their dancing and the sheer professionalism of such a young group.


Friday evening commences with two solo performances from a young Italian dancer - Maria Catarina Mambretti, from the 'enjoydance' school, Italy, directed by Cristina Zatti and Michele Vegis.

Then the Cape Junior ballet take over once more, and we will be treated to more variations from this hard working group - every student dancing will have attended classes throughout the two days, as well as performing in the evenings!

We hope you will enjoy!

It is about time to add a word about our sponsors! We are so fortunate to have local firms, and others, who are happy to support Dance Algarve - primarily:

THE CÃMARA DE LAGOS, who provide the beautiful Centro Cultural for the use of Dance Algarve, and other studios which are put at our disposal. They also give technical assistance for the performances on stage, and the loan of sound equipment.

LUZCAR - Car Hire - they support us with transport requirements.

SONEL HOTELS - have given us unspecified and very welcome funding.

ALBERGARIA MARINA RIO - a lovely Hotel on the Avenida, with a view of the harbour - they support the project.

naRUA - Printers - they provide an excellent service, and artistic inspiration for posters, brochures etc.

IDS - International Dance Supplies - gave funding in 2009, and this year have helped with publicity distribution throughout Europe.

HARLEQUIN EUROPE - have provided gifts for the faculty and the musicians.

The ACADAMIA DE MÚSICA DE LAGOS - is loaning a piano for one of the ballet studios.

Sr. Julio Baptista of the restaurant BORSALINO, and Sr. Carlos Ramos of CANTINHO ALGARVIO have kindly agreed to donate T-Shirts for all the participants of Dance Algarve again this year - colour to be announced!!

The directors of Dance Algarve are so grateful to all these sponsors, and wish them to know how much their support is appreciated.

- EARLY PAYMENT - EARLY PAYMENT - EARLY PAYMENT - EARLY PAYMENT - EARLY PAYMENT - EARLY PAYMENT - EARLY PAYMENT- EARLY PAYMENT -

A timely reminder that there are ONLY TWO WEEKS TO GO before the early payment opportunity ends on

FRIDAY JANUARY 22nd 2010!!

If you apply and pay for your place at DANCE ALGARVE now, you save 40 euros!!!

DANCE ALGARVE 2010

Associação da Dança Ibérica

www.dancaiberica.org

In 2007 the Associação da Dança Ibérica was formed by three ballet teachers living in the Algarve, who were anxious to do something to promote Dance. The original concept of a Dance Workshop to fulfill these ideals, came from Caroline Chapman Costa, a ballet teacher from Almancil, who is a member of the Associação. The present Directors are Gwen Franco, a ballet teacher in Lagos, Gillian Anthony, an international ballet teacher and examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance, and Bernadete Bishop, who has a Masters degree in Creativity and is an Architect. The Associação is under the patronage of Armando Jorge and Margarida Sá Fiálho.

From the formation of Associação da Dança Ibérica, Dance Algarve was born!

The purpose of Dance Algarve is to encourage dance, with a focus on classical ballet, and to provide the opportunity for ballet students from all over Europe and beyond, to benefit from the expertise of professional teachers of international repute. They study under these distinguished faculty members for four glorious days of dance and music at the Centro Cultural de Lagos, and other studios, kindly given for this event by the Câmara de Lagos.

Dance Algarve 2010 will run from 31st March until 3rd April this year.

THE FACULTY -

Ballet – with Francesca Filpi – First Artist, Royal Ballet Company, London,
and Kenn Burke – Assistant Director “Shall We Dance”, Sadlers Wells, London.

Professional ballet pianists – Sandro Cuccuini and Luis M. Carmona Barrio
accompany every class.

Flamenco – with Brigitta Luisa Merki – Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director “Flamencos en
route”

Flamenco Guitarist - Juan Gomez accompanies every class.

Contemporary – with Natàlia Viñas Roig – Teacher of modern and contemporary dance
techniques

Mask Workshops
Expression and Communication – with John Mowat – Theatre Director

“ON STAGE!”

On the last night of the Course the students have the opportunity to perform at the Centro Cultural. Parents, friends and invited guests attend, and the students will demonstrate the work they have studied in a lively and disciplined display.


TEACHER'S COURSE

Running alongside the Students Course are Courses for Teachers of Ballet under the direction of highly qualified and experienced teachers - Dianne Cheesman (South Africa), Cristina Zatti (Italy) and Maria Palmeirim (Portugal). The courses concentrate on different levels of tuition for different standards of students, from the basic grades up to advanced and vocational levels.

MASTER CLASS – an exciting new element this year!

Maria Palmeirim – Ballet Mistress – Companhia Nacional de Bailado, Lisbon, has kindly agreed to give a Master Class on Friday 2nd April.


PERFORMANCES FOR THE PUBLIC

Dance Algarve is delighted to welcome the Cape Junior Ballet once again! The members will attend all the classes over the four days, and on the evenings of Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd April, under the dynamic direction of Dianne Cheesman, they will enchant us with their professional artistry.

The appearance of the Cape Junior Ballet will form part of a mixed programme on these evenings.

The performances are open to the public – tickets are available at the Centro de Cultural.


SPONSORS

The directors of Dance Algarve are grateful and indebted to the following sponsors for their support

The Câmara de Lagos
Sonel Hotels
IDS
Albergaria Marina Rio
Luzcar
NaRua

Dance Algarve is a non profit making event, and volunteers from all walks of life contribute to the success of the enterprise. Volunteers prepare the timetables, lay the dance floors, shift pianos and barres, transport faculty members, chaperone students, and stage manage the evening performances.



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It is Sunday 20th December. It is raining and cold in Lagos today, but tomorrow is the shortest day, and Spring will be coming soon!

We are busy creating posters, leaflets, certificates etc, and arranging publicity.

The bookings for the Students Course are coming too - slowly but surely. There are bound to be more after Christmas, before the rush to secure a place by January 22nd, in time to benefit from the Early Payment scheme.

Bookings are also being made for the Teacher's Courses - there is an Early Payment scheme in place for these Courses too.

Eminent teachers, Cristina Zatti from Italy, Dianne Cheesman from South Africa and Maria Palmeirim from the Companhia Nacional de Bailado, Lisbon, will lead the courses for teachers, which are run in two distinct sessions this year.

Cristina Zatti and Dianne Cheesman will direct courses for the teachers of young children under the graded system, while Maria Palmeirim will work with teachers who wish to concentrate on higher levels. The opportunities for inspiration and learning are manifold!

If you would like any further details about Dance Algarve 2010, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Very best wishes for a Happy Christmas to everyone.

It is Monday 14th December and I am in Lagos, Portugal. This pretty, historic town is preparing for Christmas and there are decorations everywhere. All along the main avenida the palm trees are wreathed in lights, and despite the recession, the shops are busy.

But I am not here because it is Christmas. I have volunteered to help with the administration for Dance Algarve 2010, and this will be the main focus of my energy for the next few months.

Everything is in place - the distinguished Faculty are booked and confirmed, and their travel and accommodation arrangements made. The programme for the students offers a stimulating mix of classical and modern dance, flamenco and mask workshops, and there is the opportunity for performance on the last night of the Course.

On the two preceding evenings specially invited groups will perform for the public, and this year we are honoured to have the CAPE JUNIOR BALLET with us once again. The students will attend the Course by day, and enchant us for two nights with their artistry, under the dynamic direction of Dianne Cheesman.

The rest of the programme for these evenings is as yet unconfirmed. More news will be posted soon!