A traditional mak yong performance presented by Universiti Malaya’s Cultural Center.

Dates: 16-17 January 2004

Time: 8.30pm

Venue: Dewan Semarak
Akademi Pengajian Melayu
Universiti Malaya

Tickets: RM2.00

Contact: 03-7967 3288/3454

Two dance performances have been included in Huayi: Chinese Festival of Arts, presented by Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore.

For more information visit either www.esplanade.com.sg or www.sistic.com.sg.

The dance performances are:

The Last Emperor (Hong Kong Ballet)
Dates: 23-24 Jan 2004
Venue: Esplanade Theatre
Tickets: From S$11 to S$101

The Last Emperor was commissioned by the Hong Kong Ballet to mark the hand-over of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Choreographed by Canadian dancer/choreographer Wayne Eagling and set to an original score by Oscar-winning composer Su Cong, this full-length ballet tells the turbulent life of Pu Yi, the last Manchu emperor of China.

Celebrated Intimacies (Yu Dance Theater)
Dates: 28-29 Jan 2004
Venue: Esplanade Theatre Studio
Tickets: S$21

An evening of solo and duet dances by Taiwan-born, Los Angeles-based choreographer Cheng-Chieh Yu. Yu’s dance theatre draws from her roots in classic Chinese performance forms and current American movement theatre.

There will be a public performance to showcase the results of the week long Japan-Malaysia Technical Design Workshop.

Comprising technical workshops in lighting, sound, costume and video design, and dance, the participants will apply what they have learnt in the presentation of a dance production.

The main dancers to be featured are Ko Murobushi from Japan and Malaysia’s Mew Chang Tsing, Kiea Kuan Nam and Elaine Pedley.

Date: 18 January 2003

Time: 3.00pm

Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar

Admission: by donation (minimum RM10)

Contact: 03-2094 0400 / 03-2094 1400

This project has been organised by the Malaysian Alliance of Technical Theatre and The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, with support from The Actors Studio, MyDance Alliance and Studio Chombrang.

Alarippu to Moksha signifies the journey of a dancer from the first blossoming to the attainment of absolute joy when Dance and the Dancer are united into one entity.

This series started four years ago as Sutra Dance Theatre’s effort in promoting new talent in Indian dance. In 2004 it has expanded to include young talents from six other academies from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Johor Bahru.

Alarippu to Moksha 2004 provides a platform for these dancers to share, observe and celebrate the diversity of the various dance traditions within the Bharata Natyam and Odissi styles in the conducive, friendly and professional theatre environment of Amphi-Sutra.

Alarippu to Moksha is not about competition of who is better but more of a sharing of experience, networking, promoting and the positive empowerment of those involved. It is a collective endeavour by the dance teachers from these academies to promote Indian dance in Malaysia.

Dates/Time:
16, 17 and 24, 25 January 2004 @ 8.30pm

Venue:
Amphi-Sutra
(12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, 53200 Kuala Lumpur)

Entry:
by donation (min RM20/person)

Enquiries:
Kuala Lumpur:
03-2095 7353 (Sangitha Namashivayam)
03-4022 9669 (Sutra Dance Theatre)
012-633 1911 (Nadarajan Muniandy)
Ipoh:
05-526 1479 / 016-594 1253 (Santiago Samathanam)
Johor Bahru:
019-780 8393 (Ajit Bhaskaran Dass)

Programme of Performers:
16 Jan 2004 (Fri)
Sutra Dance Theatre, KL (B.N) / Artistic Director: Ramli Ibrahim
Saathveeka Bharathalaya, KL (B.N) / Artistic Director: Shanti Murugiah

17 Jan 2004 (Sat)
Natyakalamandhir, Ipoh (B.N) / Artistic Director: Santiago Samathanam
Suvarna Fine Arts, Johor Bahru (B.N) / Artistic Director: Ajit Bhaskaran Dass

24 Jan 2004 (Sat)
Subraanjali Dance Theatre, KL (B.N) / Artistic Director: Nadarajan Muniandy
Kalpana Dance Theatre, KL (B.N) / Artistic Director: Shangita Namasivayam

25 Jan 2004 (Sun)
Nritya Kalanjali, KL (B.N) / Artistic Director: Sudha Sasikumar
Sutra Dance Theatre, KL (Od) / Artistic Director: Ramli Ibrahim

(Note: B.N (Bharata Natyam) / Od (Odissi)

Ko Murobushi, a renowned Butoh dancer, will give a three-day workshop open to anyone interested in learning more about this art form.

The aim will be for the participants as a group to think about the hybrid-ness and plurality of “Butoh” and what an “Asian body” is.

Central to the possibilities of “Butoh” is the concept of exposing oneself to the breakdown of identity (personal and dance-wise) – what emerges out of the breakdown, what arises but crumbles away. Crisis; that is Butoh.

Dates: 13 – 15 January 2004 (Tuesday – Thursday)
Time: 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Venue: Studio Chombrang
(5A, Jalan Cempaka 16, Taman Cempaka, Ampang)

Fee: RM 50 (flat fee for 3 days)
Limited to 10 persons

Registration: Mew Chang Tsing (016-221 0562)

Ko Murobushi is in Kuala Lumpur as part of the Japan-Malaysia Technical Design Workshop organised by the Malaysian Alliance of Technical Theatre and The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, with support from MyDance Alliance and Studio Chombrang.

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Ko Murobushi
(see http://www.t0.or.at/~dstrehly/butoh2.htm for more information)

Ko Murobushi is one of the best known Butoh-dancers of our time. Born in Tokyo, he was a little boy when Butoh was born in 1959 by Tatsumi Hijikata. By 1968 he had already studied and performed with Hijikata in Japan.

After this first contact with Butoh, Ko retired from the stage in 1970 and practised for two years ascetic life and shamanism as so-called Yamabushi in the Japanese mountains.

Back into society he founded the Butoh group DAIRAKUDAN together with Ushio Ama-gatsu, Akaji Maro and others, doing several performances in Tokyo and Kyoto.

In 1974 he created the Butoh-magazine “Hageshii Kisetsu (Violent Season)” and founded a female Butoh-Compagnie ARIADONE for which he did many choreographies. Two years later he founded a similar only-male Butoh-group: SEBI.

With a co production of these two groups he brought Butoh to Europe. “Le Dernier Eden – Porte De L’au – De La” succeeded in Paris in 1978 and was followed by a big tour through the whole Europe with ARIADONE in 1981/82.

From this time, on Ko Murobushi settled down in Paris and made Paris the European capital of Butoh. Lots of choreographies followed for ARIADONE as well as for Carlotta Ikeda, Urara Kusanagi, Tadashi Endo and others.

Beneath the work as a choreographer for himself and others, Ko keeps a strong tradition of improvisational performances that culminated in 1986 in a cooperation with the Glenn Branca Orchestra in Tokyo.

To list some titles of works of that period: “En”, “Zarathoustra”, “Unemumie”, “Neon Or Neant”, “Utt”, “Lotus Cabaret”, “Hinagata 8”, “Iki”, “Waterworks”, “La Nuit”, “Dehors”, “Monsieur Kafka”, “Pantha Rhei”.

From 1988 onwards, Ko concentrated on duo productions with Urara Kusanagi – “Ephemere” and “Oni One” were created and toured in the following years in Europe and South America; his very successful solo production “En” brought him to Mexico.

Choreographies from the last few years include: “Mamuish”, “Nomadic Blue”, “Pie” and “Ai-Amour” (duo with Carlotta Ikeda), “Working Process”, “Sebi” (Duos with Urara Kusanagi). In January 1996 he created a new solo for the MAMU-Festival in Göttingen/Germany: “In Chance”, in May 1997 there followed another solo “In Silence”, co produced by Le Quartz/Brest & La Fonderie. In 1998 “Working Process” toured successfully through Venezuela and Eastern Europe.

In 1999 and 2000 Ko concentrated his work to Mexico with teaching and creating choreography for Urara Kusanagi in a Mexican film, entitled “Vera”, directed by Francisco Athie. In that time he also re-concentrated his work to Japan, doing several performances there.

Ko Murobushi on the one hand continues to open his dance and the Butoh to worldwide influence. On the other hand he tries to research his work deeper into its Japanese roots. His last performace, “Edge”, in Japan in 2000 shocked the Japanese public but has also been highly appreciated.

Also his recent perfomance & teaching in Vienna “ImPuls Tanz 2001” has been recognized as the most valuable event of the festival.

Artistic director and principal dancer of the Shanghai Song & Dance Ensemble, Huang Doudou, will conduct a workshop/demonstration for dancers and arts enthusiasts.

A graduate of the Beijing Dance Academy, Huang Doudou is considered one of the leading dancers in China. He has created many outstanding works including Soul of the Terracotta Warriors, Drunken Drums, Shining Stars and Patriot Su Wu. The latest version of Dances of the Dynasties, coming soon to Genting, also showcases his choreographic talent.

This workshop is a rare opportunity to learn more about Chinese traditional and contemporary dance forms from a renowned performer.

Date: 7 January 2004
Time: 2.00 – 3.00pm

Venue: Cybertorium, Menara Star
Section 16, Petaling Jaya

Dress code: Smart casual
Entry: Free!

To participate, contact:
MyDance Alliance at 03-7877 8706 / 016-221 0562 (Mew)
The Star at 03-7967 1388 ext 1243/1431

The Actors Studio is looking for 10-12 performers for non-speaking roles in the forthcoming production of Rashomon to be staged at Istana Budaya in June 2004.

Performers may be either male or female, any age (from 15 and above), and must be able to move.

Rehearsals will be for one month.

Audition: 8 January (this Thursday)

Time: 5.00-6.00pm

Call: Faridah (012-338 1265) or Swee Keong (019-359 9262)

Sharki Dance Studio specialises in Egyptian Oriental Dance – a dance of self-discovery. Classes start 8 January 2004.

Beginning Technique 1
Every Thursday @ 7.30pm to 8.30pm

Beginning Technique 2
Every Thursday @ 10:30am to 11.30am
Every Saturday @ 3.00pm to 4pm

Max intake: 15 students

Fees: RM240 per 8 week session / RM35 per drop-in class

New registration: RM35
(Please call first to book a place in the class)

Contact: 012-3112277/ 012-210 5998
Email: sharkidance@fastmail.fm or sharkidance@yahoo.com

Venue:
Dancesteps Studio
11-2 (2nd Flr), Jln 26/70A
Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL
Tel: 03-2300 2505

Malaysian Alliance of Technical Theatre (MATT) and The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur presents a technical and design workshop with 5 courses (lighting, sound, costume, stage management, video) and a dance collaboration.

The first of its kind in Malaysia, this series of courses presented as a week long programme will provide technicians, designers and management staff within the performing arts with an opportunity to work and learn from 5 of Japan’s top technical and design professionals.

The courses will culminate in an exciting workshop performance with top Japanese and Malaysian dancers. This event is supported by The Actors Studio, MyDance Alliance and Studio Chombrang.

Venues:
1) The Actors Studio Bangsar
(Technical Courses & Public Showcase)
Level 3, West Wing, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur

2) Studio Chombrang
(Costume Course & Dance Workshop)
5A, Jalan Cempaka 16, Taman Cempaka, Ampang

Courses:
Dates/Times: 12-18 January 2004 @ 2.00pm – 10.00pm
Fee: RM 100 per course
(Limited to 12 participants per course)

Public Showcase:
Date/Time: 18 January 2004 @ 3.00pm
Admission by Donation (minimum RM 10)

Registration:
Tel: 03-2094 0400 / 2094 1400 (The Actors Studio Bangsar)
Email: contact@matt.com.my
Visit: www.matt.com.my

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Biodatas of Course Instructors

Mr. Masaaki AIKAWA (Lighting Design)
He is the managing director of John¡¯s Co.Ltd. He has been working for the dance performance of Akira KASAI, Setsuko YAMADA and Mika KUROSAWA. His innovative lighting designs are used in other types of stages such as concerts and theatre performances. He has been also working as a stage director of improvisational performances. He is highly recognized abroad, especially in Korea as a lighting designer and a stage director.

Mr. Shinobu ISHII (Stage Management)
He is the director of ¡°Butai Kantoku Koubo (Stage Managers¡¯ Studio)¡±. He started his career as a stage manager in 1997 and accompanied ¡°The Tokyo Ballet¡± Europe and Latin America tour in 1999 and 2001. He joined in the ¡°Sendai Engeki Koubo 10-Box¡± as an administrator in 2002 to conduct stage management courses. Recently he is engaged in the contemporary dance series ¡°Odorini-ikuze! (Let¡¯s Go Dance!)¡± produced by Japan Contemporary Dance Network and is working along with Hiroshi HIDAMA, Kohta YAMAZAKI and Kimu ITO.

Mr. Toshiyuki OCHIAI (Sound & Music)
He used to be a member of ¡°Engeki Jikkenshitsu-Tenjosajiki¡±. He is currently working as a music producer/designer. His style, which is supported by his detailed knowledge to the hardware and his penetrating insight to the work, makes the works innovative and unique. He has provided music to dancers such as Chie HAYASHI, Toshiko TAKEUCHI and H. Art Chaos from their beginning to help their image creation. He took part in the Japan Tour of Fernando Alavar and appeared in the stages of Yukio NINAGAWA as a music player.¡¡He is also working with ¡°Kaitaisha¡± theatre company.

Mr. Akihiko KANEKO (Video Artist)
He was born in Tokyo. He studied in the graduate school of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. His first flat work was appeared in 1993. He started the installation works collaborated with screen images in 1996 and started working for image of ¡°Leni-Basso¡± theater company in 1998. One of his solo exhibitions, ¡°binding¡±, was held in 2002 in Japan. He has been working with many musicians and producing a lot of image works. His other exhibitions include ¡°Richitung ¡®96¡± at Goethe Institut in Japan, ¡°Morphe ¡®98¡± at a gallery in Tokyo and ¡°Il giardino della music¡± in Milan in 1999.

Mr. Shingo TOKIHIRO (Costume)
He used to work as a journalist reporting Paris collection and London collection. Thereafter he has been engaged in a stage costume design. Currently he widely extends his career to the seminar and show planning besides the stage collaboration with Buto dancers.

Ms. Kimiko KIKUMARU (Producer)
She is the managing director of Contemporary Art Network, Ltd., whose business covers every kind of art activities such as fine art, dance, theatre, music and so on. She is involved in program making for cultural policy and cultural support as well as the art management. She has been also working as an executive officer of dance festivals and producing performances of Dance Theatre Ludens and performers like Un YAMADA, Yoko ANDO and Ikume ITO.

Mr. Ko MUROBUSHI (Dancer)
Ko Murobushi is one of the best known Butoh-dancers of our time.

Born in Tokyo he was a little boy when Butoh was born in 1959 by Tatsumi Hijikata. By 1968 he had already studied and performed with Hijikata in Japan.

After this first contact with Butoh, Ko retired from the stage in 1970 and practised for two years ascetic life and shamanism as so-called “Yamabushi” in the Japanese mountains. Back into society he founded the Butoh-Group DAIRAKUDAN together with Ushio Ama-gatsu, Akaji Maro and others, doing several performances in Tokyo and Kyoto. In 1974 he created the Butoh-magazine “Hageshii Kisetsu (Violent Season)” and founded a female Butoh-Compagnie “ARIADONE” for which he did many choreographies. 2 years later he founded a similar only-male Butoh-group: SEBI. With a co production of these two groups he brought Butoh to Europe.

About Malaysian Alliance Of Technical Theatre
MATT is currently a pro-tem committee committed to forming the first technical alliance in Malaysia. Malaysia¡¯s leading technical design and management professionals in the performing arts industry formed the pro-tem committee.

MATT aims:
To enable, facilitate and support the improvement of technical expertise in the performing arts in Malaysia through training, networking and info exchange.

To establish and manage a database of technical expertise, equipment and suppliers.

Organised by The Star and presented by Osim, the Shanghai Song & Dance Ensemble will present Dances of the Dynasties.

First conceptualised in 1987, the production has undergone many changes as it seeks to depict the last five dynasties of Imperial China. More recently, the choreography was revised by Huang Doudou, the ensemble’s artistic director. He is widely regarded as China’s foremost talent in contemporary dance today.

Proceeds of the performance will go to Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, Hospis Malaysia, and Daybreak Association.

Dates: 9-16 January 2004

Venue: Genting International Showroom

Tickets:
Genting Hotline: 03-2718 1118 or visit www.genting.com.my
The Star: 03-7967 1388 ext 1243 / 1431 / 1166 (Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm)