Clara Ramona, an acclaimed Flamenco dancer from Madrid, Spain will conduct two special workshops to introduce local dancers to Flamenco as well as her own style of choreography. As she will be in Malaysia only briefly, this is a rare opportunity indeed!

Clara Ramona is one of the more celebrated Flamenco dancers having performed in theatres all over Spain, the UK, USA, China, Japan and Mexico. A recent notable role was Carmen. She also has her own dance company in Spain, which tours the world regularly.

Workshop Details:
Beginners
Saturday, 27 March
2.00 – 3.30pm
RM 40

Intermediate
Sunday, 28 March
4.00 – 5.30pm
RM 40

Venue:
The Dance Space
F3-2 Plaza Damas, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1
Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur

Contact:
Tel: 013-388 0821 (Lavinie)
Email: thedancespace@asia.com

The first Polyzentral project took place in 2003. Due to its great success, the organisers are planning a second Polyzentral project to take place 2-19 March 2005.

For this event they would like to invite contemporary African, Arabic, Central Asian and East European theatre and dance projects that are searching for their own unique artistic paths beyond Eurocentric aesthetics.

The aim is to show that innovative theatre work can be created anywhere, not only in the established centres of European art production. This includes diversity in form and content, and the artist’s individuality and roots against more obvious global aesthetics.

Dance companies and individual artists interested in participating are invited to contact the organisers and provide them with information and a video about their work. The contact details are below.

Invited foreign dance participants will be granted travel allowances, hotel accommodation and pocket money.

Kampnagel is one of Europe’s biggest centres for innovative and expressive arts. Over the last twenty years, Kampnagel has established itself as a platform for the production and presentation of artistic ideas, experimental theatre, dance, performing art and music, both on a national and international level.

Contact
Honne Dohrmann (curator)
Polyzentral
Kultur Nord
Postfach 3328
D-26023 Oldenburg
Germany

Email: honne.dohrmann@kultur-nord.de
Tel: +49 – 441 – 2171702
Fax: +49 – 441 – 2171704

Lightology is a contemporary performance that links together music, dance, audiovisuals and words. Presented by the Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur and Tokidoki-Jido Theatre, Lightology uses light to explore the conflict between human despair and hope.

In addition, there will be a talk organised by The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian Alliance of Technical Theatre on the following topics:

What is the role of Video Works in ‘Lightology’?
by Asahina Naoyuki (director)

How are Video Works created?
by Ohkubo Hideki & Aono Shingo (video artists)

Performance
Dates/Times:
20 March @ 3.00pm & 8.30pm
21 March @ 3.00pm

Venue:
The Actors Studio Bangsar
Bangsar Shopping Center

Tickets:
RM35 (Adults) / RM15 (JFKL members & Students)

Contact:
03-2094 1400 / 03-2094 0400

Video Talk
Date/Time: 21 March @ 10.00am-12.00nn
Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar
Admission: Free!

The Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (National Arts Academy) will be starting its new semester in May 2004. Students who wish to pursue full-time and part-time training in music, theatre, writing, cinematography and dance are invited to apply NOW. No previous experience required, just an interest and aptitude!

Closing date is 27 March 2004
(Interview / placement auditions are in April 2004)

The Dance Program offers courses in Introduction to Malay dance, folk dances from Sabah and Sarawak, Chinese dance, Indian dance, Improvisation, Tai Chi, Silat, Ballet, Modern dance, Jazz and Choreography.

The lecturers are among Malaysia’s dance elite such as Suhaimi Magi, Mew Chang Tsing, Marion D’Cruz, Annuar Abd. Wahab, Lee Tang Kok, Choo Tee Kuang, Loke Soh Kim, Umesh Shetty, Zhou Gui Xin, Gan Chih Pei, Joseph Gonzales and others. The dance department has a reputation for providing quality training in dance, with emphasis on both traditional and modern dance technique.

Those interested may personally collect the application forms at a cost of RM10 (payable by postal order or money order) OR send a self-addressed envelope with a RM2 stamp to the following address:

Akademi Seni Kebangsaan
33rd. Floor, Empire Tower
Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur

Contact:
03-2164 9180 (tel) / 03-2164 9186 (fax) / 019-3991452 (Jeffri)

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More about the Courses
There are 2 semesters in a year and each semester is 14 weeks long. Students who register for the part-time courses will receive a certificate of attendance. The full-time program is 3 years long leading to a Diploma in Performing Arts recognized by the Ministry of Education.

Requirements
Full-time students need their SPM certificate with credits in Bahasa Malaysia and 2 other credits. Entry qualification is by a placement interview / audition process.
Part-time students require their PMR certificate or equivalent.

Fees
Fees are approximately RM 2000 per year for the Diploma course and RM 150 per course per semester for part time students.
There is a one off registration fee of RM 200.
The fees are subsidised by the Government of Malaysia.

RiverGrass Dance Theatre and MyDance Alliance will present a workshop to show participants a new way of moving. Movement is not just about strength or the use of muscles and bones.

The workshop will also explore self-rehabilitation in the event of injury, and the maintenance or increasing of flexibility as people age.

Please call to register before 24 March 2004

Date/Time: 28 March @ 11.00am

Venue: RiverGrass @ Bangsar
69-2, Jalan Bangkung
Bukit Bandaraya
59100 Bangsar

Admission: Free!

Tel: 03-2093 1388 / 016-221 0562

Members of the public are invited to attend the final graduation performance (Penilaian Tahun Akhir) of two students of the Dance Program of Akademi Seni Kebangsaan, who have completed 3 years of intensive study – Mohd. Firdaus Mustapha Kamal and Shaiful Baktir Shabaan.

The performance will comprise a Traditional as well as Modern Dance Recital.

This is an opportunity to witness the richness of Malaysia’s traditional dance heritage, and appreciate the efforts of the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan to preserve and promote the knowledge and practice of traditional dance while encouraging creativity.

Date/Time:
22 March 2004 (Monday) @ 8.30 pm

Venue:
Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, MTC
Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur

Entrance: FREE

Length of performance:
approximately 1 1/2 hours

For further enquirie:
call 019-399 1452 (Jeffri) / 03-2164 9180 ext 238
or visit www.dancemalaysia.com

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The Traditional Dance Recital will feature 8 dances including the Mengadap Rebab, Terinai, Igal-Igal, Kanjet Ngeleput, two Chinese dances and the Piring dance originally from Western Sumatera.

These dances will be performed in full traditional costumes and in as original a form as possible. Some are being performed for the first time in Kuala Lumpur.

The dancers have been coached by leading traditional dance experts such as Dr. Chandrabhanu, Nurdjajadi Jasan, Suhaimi Magi, Zhou Gui Xin, Noorsiah Yatim, Wong Kit Yaw and Guntik Sabili.

The Modern Dance Recital will feature solo performances by the two candidates.

This section has been under the guidance of Marion D’ Cruz and Joseph Gonzales who are among Malaysia’s leading dance practitioners.

Sutra Dance Theatre’s Under the Stars series returns.

This series exploits the ambience of Sutra’s outdoor venue whilst showcasing Sutra’s dancers and providing a platform to cultivate new generations of professional dancers for Malaysia.

The March programme is as follows:

13 & 14 March
‘8’ – Eight Visions and Moods of Odissi
January Low

19 & 21 March
‘The Fountainhead’ – Homage to Odissi
Anushya Nair and Shubashini Kanagaratnam

Performances commence: 8.30pm

Venue: Amphi-Sutra
12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, Kuala Lumpur

Admission: by donation (min RM30)

Contact: 03-4021 1092 / 03-4022 9669

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‘8’ – Eight Visions & Moods of Odissi
January Low will perform 2 major compositions by the eminent Odissi Guru, Durga Charan Ranbir. They are Surya Staka (Eight visions of the Surya/Sun) and Ashta Nayika (Eight moods of Woman in love).

‘The Fountainhead’ – Homage to Odissi
Two emerging Odissi dancers from Sutra, Anushya Nair and Shubashini Kanagaratnam, will perform new works of traditional repertoire that they acquired during intensive training in Orissa, India.

A Bharata Natyam performance by Sri Ganesan and 15 dancers.

Date/Time:
13 March 2004 @ 8.00pm

Venue:
Tan Sri KR Soma Auditorium
Wisma Tun Sambanthan
Jalan Sulaiman

Admission:
by invitation only

Contact:
03-6251 2270 / 012-678 0135

Langkah is an examination performance by ASK Dance Department students as part of the practical aspect of their assessment at the end of every semester.

It also provides the audience with an opportunity to both identify new talent and better understand the academic structure of the dance program at ASK.

The performance of Langkah is a huge step for young talent, some of whom have never appeared on stage before, to develop performance skills and begin the first steps towards professionalism. The feedback the performers will receive will assist them to gauge their talent and prepare them for the long road ahead.

Date/Time:
19 March 2004 @ 8.30 pm

Venue:
Mini Auditorium MTC, Jalan Ampang

Entrance: Free!

Contact: Jeffri @ 019-399 1452

This semester, the following dances will be presented, taught by leading traditional dance teachers Noorsiah Yatim, Suhaimi Magi and Seth Hamzah, assisted by Aris Kadir and Zamzuriah Zahari – Joget, Inang, Zapin, Ayak-ayak, Zapin Parit Mastar, Inai Dance and Zapin Bunian.

This one-night only performance also includes Modern Dance, Improvisation, Choreography and Jazz taught by Marion D’Cruz, Mew Chang Tsing, Choo Tee Kuang, Umesh Shetty, Gan Chih Pei and Joseph Gonzales, assisted by Shafirul Azmi Suhaimi, Azizi Sulaiman and Kamaludin Daud.

Wrio Russell, a Reiki Master, will be holding a workshop on the Healing Power of Reiki. Wrio is the Principal of the London School of Sports Massage and had worked with dancers from the English National Ballet.

Date/Time:
11 March @ 1.45 pm

Place:
The Fonteyn Theatre, Federal Academy of Ballet
1-3 Jalan 14/11, The Right Angle
Petaling Jaya 46100

Tel: 03-7957 3413

Admission: Free!