Compagnie Eolipile’s Petites Pièces is coming to Penang and Kuala Lumpur courtesy of Alliance Francaise (Kuala Lumpur and Penang) and The Actors Studio.

Petites Pièces is an introduction to a new way of dance. The stage, set, sound and lighting are used in places other than the theatre or usual showroom. Outside the theatre, the poetry of the body is different. The artists are closer; you can hear them breathe… Dance can be bewitching and transforming when done in unconventional places.

Playing with limits, light and transparency, Lin Yuan Shang’s unique movements create a strange space that spreads out from the dancer, breaking boundaries between stage and audience, dance and theatre, art and reality.

Penang:
11 February 2003 @ 8.30pm
The Actors Studio Greenhall
(Zhong Zheng School Memorial Centre, 32 Lebuh Light, 10200 Penang)
Admission by Donation: RM 35 (Adults) & RM 25 (Students)
Contact: 04-263 5400

Kuala Lumpur:
13 February 2003 @ 8.30pm
The Actors Studio Theatre
(Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja, 50050 Kuala Lumpur)
Tickets: RM 35 (Adults) & RM 25 (Students)
Contact: 03-2694 5400 / 2692 5927

The Dance Space in Sri Hartamas is holding a Valentine Dance Promotion whereby a special crash course will be conducted for couples on the basics of Argentine Tango, Salsa, Rumba and Cha-cha. They will also get a free hour of practice at the studio.

Saturday (8 Feb)
4.00-5.00pm – Argentine Tango
5.15-6.15pm – Rumba / Cha-cha

Sunday (9 Feb)
5.30-6.30pm – Salsa
6.30-7.30pm – Free Practice Session

Cost: RM100 per couple

For more information contact: 013-388 0821, 016-243 0025 or email dancespace@asia.com

From 6-16 February 2003, the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay will present the Huayi Chinese Festival of the Arts showcasing a mixture of music, opera, theatre and dance performances by local and international artists and companies.

Dance performances include:
Lin Yuan Shang – Chinese Bastard by Compagnie Eolipile
Re: Lady White Snake by RiverGrass Dance Theatre
The Kiss of the She-Wolves by Companie Yun Chane
Rear Light by the Beijing Modern Dance Company

Visit www.esplanade.com for further information.

Double Vision is a full-length video-dance event by Ng Mei-Yin, Eric Kozioll, Laura Blereau & guest. It comprises a series of episodes that explore the desire to see and show the private and normally hidden.

The use of spy cameras within the dance transform passive viewers into active voyeurs. Combining live and recorded events, the performance unfolds as an intimate and unpredictable optical pursuit.

Dates: 26-27 January 2003 @ 8.00pm
Venue: The Construction Company, New York

For further information contact Mei Yin at mei.bee@verizon.net

To note: Ng Mei Yin is Malaysian and was a founding member of Nyoba & Dancers with Lee Swee Keong and Loi Chin Yu

“An Evening of Dance” commemorates the 20th Anniversary of Jeya Nritha Kalalayam Dance Academy, which was set up in January 1983.It will be presented by the students and graduates of the academy whose experience in dance ranges from 1 year to 20 years and more.

The repertoire consists of bharatanatyam and folk dances choreographed by academy principal Mrs Kumudhini Sivanathanas well as by the academy’s graduates.

Date/Time: 25 January 2002 at 7.30pm (Sat)
Venue: Kalamandapam, Lorong Scott
(off Jalan Tun Sambatan)
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

Tickets: Free Admission Tel: 03-2283 5522 (Mr.R.Sivanathan)

Dancing New Asia is a collaboration between the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Fringe Club to promote intercultural dialogue and networking between Hong Kong and Southeast Asian nations.

The 3-day event comprises a forum, workshops and performances by representatives from Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

From Malaysia:
Arifwaran Shaharuddin will conduct a workshop and perform The Anthology of Mein Fuhrer Dr. M
Prof Mohd Anis Md Nor will speak on the Confluence of Diversity: Inventing Contemporary Dances in Malaysia

Dates: 27 February – 1 March 2003
Venue: Fringe Club, Hong Kong
Fee: HK$500

Look under ‘Festival Plus’ of www.hk.arts festival.org for further information on this Southeast Asian Dance Showcase and Forum.

The 17th annual Congress on Dance Research, “Dance in Education”, will take place 29 October – 2 November 2003 in Greece. Jointly organized by the International Organization of Folk Art and the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO, it is a major international event in dance scholarship involving approximately 250 specialists from 35 countries.

Those interested in participating are invited to send a message to the secretariat. Research papers, as well as proposals for lectures, exhibitions or performances must be sent by email and on paper before 15 September 2003 for review by the Scientific Committee. Please ask for details before sending your paper.

Congress Secretariat:
Scholiou 8, Plaka, GR-10558 Athens
Tel: (30) 210 324 6188; Fax: (30) 210 324 6921
Email: president@CID-UNESCO.org

Esplanade, Theatre on the Bay, Singapore presents RiverGrass Dance Theatre’s popular dance drama RE: Lady White Snake in its international arts festival – HUAYI. RiverGrass is proud to be the first Malaysian Dance Company performing in this prestigious venue.

The rain falls on the large lotus leaves. The atmosphere is warm and recalls a lost world. The music starts, primal , deep… Re: Lady White Snake is a feast for the eyes.
(Jenny Daneels, Kulture.com, September 15, 2000)

It left you floating in a dreamlike sensation during the sensual and enchanting performance of Re: Lady White Snake.
(Klue.com, September 12, 2000)

Ensemble dance drama at its most effective.
(Cynthia Peterson, The Malay Mail, September 18, 2000)

About RE: Lady White Snake
Re: Lady White Snake is an interpretation of a Chinese folk-tale from the Sung Dynasty. This contemporary dance drama premiered in 1996 and has since received invitation to perform in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Seattle. Choreographed by Mew Chang Tsing and Lee Swee Keong and jointly performed by Brian Chua and Weijun, its latest rendition signifies the maturity of a unique Asian dance style. The production also hails the commissioned music by Bernard Goh, costume design by Melinda Looi, and hair & make up design by Charles Jong.

Performance Data
Venue : Studio Theatre, Esplanade, Theatre On the Bay, Singapore
Date : 7 & 8 February, 2003
Time : 7.30 pm
Enquires: 03- 7877 8706
Email : rvg@RiverGrass.com.my

Booking Service and Lucky Draw for Mydance members
The Malaysian chapter of World Dance Alliance – MyDance Alliance, together with RiverGrass is pleased to provide the service of :

· booking performance tickets and organizing bus transport
· for 7-9 February ’03.

Performing on the same weekend are Kun Opera, The Peony Pavilion and French Dance company, Companie Eolipile. As this is the Chinese New Year weekend, New Year Fair and related activities will take place along the riverbank next to the Esplanade.

Cost
Estimated cost : RM 250-300 (2-way bus and tix to 2 different performances). Accommodation can be arranged with extra RM100 (2 nights).

Lucky Draw
Members of MyDance Alliance registered for this service before 22 January ’03 are entitled to a Lucky Draw. 2 winners get free tickets to the performance of RE: Lady White Snake.

For more information on the festival visit www.esplanade.com

Interest please contact
RiverGrass Dance Academy or RiverGrass Dance Theatre
12A, Jalan 20/16A, 46300 PJ, Malaysia
Tel/Fax : 03 – 787 787 06
email: rvg@rivergrass.com.my
website: www.rivergrass.com.my

Nur Shiblie conducts a belly-dance workshop that promises to be an exhilarating dance workout that will beat your boring old gym routine any day.

Date:18 January, 3pm – 6pm
19 January, 10.30am – 1.30pm .
Fee: RM150 per session

Venue: DanzArtz Studio
22-2, Jalan 27/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
Kuala Lumpur
(Tel: 03-2300 8081)

To make a booking, call Kim at 012-210 5998.

Taiwan “Touch Your Heart” Performing Arts Workshop
is organized by Batu Dance Theatre.

Time: 2.30pm
Date:18th January 2003
Venue:The Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (MCPA Theatre)

Co-organiser: Sungei Wang Plaza, Vel Art Collections
Advisors: By Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, ROC.

Presenters:A.Aris Kadir (Akedemi Seni Kebangsaan), Guna (Khazana Stage Creations) and Vincent Tan (Batu Dance Theatre).

Tickets: Free Admission
For detail information, please contact: Miss Hoh
Tel: 03-3324 7568, 012-2955 331.