We invite you to attend a double bill by Candoco Dance Company, the contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled dancers, that will take place on 7 and 8 March 2017, at 19:00, at the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre. The project is organised in support with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Yarat Contemporary Art Space and Azerbaijan National Academic Drama theatre.
Candoco Dance Company is the company of disabled and non-disabled dancers that create excellent and profound experiences to excite, challenge and broaden perceptions of art, aesthetics and ability. Celebrating 25 years of creating acclaimed and cutting edge work, Candoco present one of the most strikingly physical double bills to date: ‘Beheld’ and ‘Set and Reset/Reset’.
Alexander Whitley has swiftly become known for his daring and virtuosic choreography. Beheld, his commission for Candoco features powerful duets and breath-taking ensemble dancing with huge swathes of fabric, and is set to a mesmerising score by German composer Nils Frahm, reworked by Rutger Zuydervelt. In this piece, Candoco’s seven dancers explore the possibilities and constraints of the space around them, forming and reforming to consider how we look and what we see.
Set and Reset/Reset is an exploration of possibility as the company’s dancers create a new version of Trisha Brown’s landmark choreography Set and Reset. The original piece was first performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York in 1983 and restaged by Candoco in collaboration with Trisha Brown Dance Company in 2011 - the first time an iconic piece of contemporary dance was re-staged with an inclusive company.
The British Council in Azerbaijan with support of YARAT will organise a seminar and round table for organisations working with people with disabilities and individuals with disabilities to share the UK and Azerbaijan experience, also to discuss next steps in inclusive culture on 6 March, from 10:00 to 13:00. In addition, practical master classes will be given by Candoco choreographers for local actors and dancers on the same day from 14:00 to 17:00. The event, which will host representatives of government agencies, local and national organisations working in disability and social inclusion, dance and theatre practitioners, educational institutions, key influences, and potential sponsors, will be a valuable networking opportunity for organisations working in arts and civil society.
The price of tickets to Candoco performances is 6 AZN and tickets are available at all box offices in Baku.
A press conference will be organised for Azerbaijani media with the participation of actors of Candoco Dance Company on 7 March 2017, at 11:00 at the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre.