Culture in Poznań

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A unique dance atmosphere

Soon Poznań will once again become Poland's dance capital. The Dancing fairPlayce Poznań workshops kick off on August 17. They continue the International Contemporary Dance Workshops, an original project launched by Ewa Wycichowska at the Polish Dance Theatre in 1994.

Photo of three dancing couples. In the background the audience - people sitting on chairs and watching the show. - grafika artykułu
photograph: Andrzej Hajdasz

The workshops will take place in the modern fairPlayce Recreation and Sports Park on ul. Bożedara, near Żurawiniec Park along the Różany Stream. Participants will engage in activities in five rooms of this 7,000 square metre facility as well as in outdoor park spaces for some of the sessions.

The event calendar is packed with a variety of workshops led by professional teachers and instructors. According to the organisers, each of the 38 different sessions promises "an opportunity for creative development and education through dance". Offerings include afro fusion, bachata ladies styling, broadway jazz, and cumbia, along with hip-hop, freestyle, house, and tango. And that doesn't even cover half of the agenda!

"Everyone will find something they love. Our event is open to people of all ages because dance knows no boundaries. We want you to dance and enjoy this week with us," encourages Agnieszka Różańska, co-organiser of the event.

During a flamenco workshop led by Małgorzata Matuszewska, a pioneer of this style in Poland, participants will learn the basics and master choreography with fundamental scarf dancing elements. The starting point will be "La Tarara," a popular traditional Spanish song with Sephardic roots.

Contemporary dance workshops for beginners and advanced dancers will be conducted by Andrzej Adamczak, a dancer, teacher and choreographer. These sessions will begin with gentle breathing exercises and body stimulation to reduce tension, search for harmony and fluidity, and properly use breathing and energy.

The programme also features unique Gaga style workshops led by Gosia Mielech, a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and founder of the DanceLab project. The classes will focus on discovering your own interpretation and execution of movements rather than copying someone else's. The workshops are divided into two groups: Gaga people (for anyone over 16, regardless of dance experience), and Gaga dancers (for dancers).

Paulina Wycichowska, a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, art therapist, and creator of the "I mind the step" method of building body and movement awareness, will lead Modern Graham classes for people with intermediate-level dance experience. The classes will employ modern dance techniques based on Martha Graham's methods and involve intensive floor exercises and related tasks in the centre of the room.

Wiedź-MY (CREATION) workshops are led by Ewa Wycichowska (movement), Róża Różańska (voice), and Mieszko Łowrzał (drums). During these sessions, a Dance Sabbath will be prepared, premiering on the penultimate day of Dancing FairPlayce, with material used for the opening of this year's Malta Festival.

The above are just five of nearly 40 workshops available. To register, use the form provided at www.dancingpoznan.pl. So, sign up now and hit the dance floor!

Marta Szostak

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski 

  • Dancing fairPlayce Poznań
  • 17-23 August
  • fairPlayce Sports and Entertainment Centre, ul. Bożedara 10
  • To learn more, visit www.dancingpoznan.pl

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