Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture, Theatre & Performing Arts Department

Dance Platform Istanbul (15-22 September 2010) is a multi-track international festival and residency project that brings together all choreographers, directors, performers, designers, cultural managers, academicians a...

Dance Platform Istanbul (15-22 September 2010) is a multi-track international festival and residency project that brings together all choreographers, directors, performers, designers, cultural managers, academicians and researchers working in the fields of contemporary dance and classical ballet in Turkey. It aims at providing an international platform for the creation of new choreographic works, at the same time investigating the current state and future conditions of the art of dance in general. The main program embodies a series of platforms incorporating guest performances by international companies and individual artists, a local selection of new productions by Turkish companies and artists, masterclasses, technique classes, workshops, talks, seminars, panel discussions, working groups, film screenings and other side events. While primarily concentrating on modern/contemporary dance and classical ballet, Dance Platform will be accommodating other social and popular dance forms such as tango, flamenco, jazz dance, hip-hop, break dance and capoeira along alternative bodily practices such as yoga, pilates and tai-chi chuan. Another important aspect of the Platform is to function as a bridge between internationally well-known figures and established local professionals as well as emerging young artists and independent choreographers. With the support of several embassies and foreign cultural institutes, the project will also host a special residency program called DANCELab, which will provide an opportunity for a number of European choreographers to work with Turkish professionals and collectives from the contemporary dance scene in Istanbul.