The programme of the Side Step Festival ranges from an indecent cult classic to experimental flamenco. Sensitivity and empathy are evoked by The Köln Concert, a choreography set to piano improvisation by Keith Jarret. Contemporary music and choreography come together also in the world premiere of Spheres by Finnish harpsichordist Marianna Henriksson and choreographer Anna Mustonen.
The Side Step Contemporary Dance Festival brings audiences five performances never before seen in Finland. The festival is organised by Zodiak from 31 January to 8 February 2025 in Helsinki. The performances will take place at the Dance House and on Zodiak’s own stage at the Cable Factory in Helsinki.
Here are some picks from the programme, see all the performances on the Zodiak website.
The duet Don’t clap for Crap (not another shit show) is a remake of Kein Applaus für Scheisse, first performed by Florentina Holzinger and Vincent Riebeek in 2010. The scabrous pas de deux grew into a cult classic. Now it goes into reshuffle mode with Riebeek and Argentine performer Nica Rosés.
Yinka Esi Graves is a British dance maker and flamenco artist of Jamaican-Ghanaian descent. With dance, live music rooted in flamenco, text and live video, her solo show The Disappearing Act presents itself as an experimental flamenco work, in the form of a reimagined Ghanaian Concert Party.
Harpsichordist Marianna Henriksson and choreographer Anna Mustonen are known for their visionary and dedicated work in combining new dance and Baroque music. In their new Sfäärit (Spheres), ‘composition’ is the central question: how can a work be approached both as the ways in which sound is organised into music, and as a reflection of the connections inherent in choreographic thinking?
Side step festival 31/1 – 8/2
Yinka Esi Graves: The Disappearing Act, Dance House Helsinki, Fri–Sat 31.1.–1.2.
Trajal Harrell / Zürich Danse Ensemble: The Köln Concert, Dance House Helsinki, Sat 1.2.
Marikiscrycrycry: Goner, Zodiak Stage, Tue–Wed 4.2.–5.2.
Marianna Henriksson, Anna Mustonen: Sfäärit (Spheres), Dance House Helsinki, Thu–Sat 6.2.–8.2.
Vincent Riebeek: Don’t clap for Crap, Zodiak Stage, Fri–Sat 7.2.–8.2.