Dance Festival Malta Day 2A
Dance Festival Malta 2024
Dance Beyond Borders (Malta)
Echoes of Roots – A Collective Journey Towards a Decolonized Narratives
This performance begins at 5pm in Studio A and is a free event open to the public.
Dance Beyond Borders explores the enduring impact of imperialism, colonialism, and racism on narratives of migration. Through the medium of dance theatre, we delve into these stories with a historical lens, highlighting the violence and trauma inherent in colonial legacies. Our collaborative initiative fostered inclusive research inspired by artivism and people-centered facilitation. It facilitated encounters with individuals in Italy, Portugal, and Malta, connecting deeply with their personal stories and the colonial histories of each region. This exploration spans past, present, and future perspectives on migration and power relations—examining how social, political, and cultural landscapes have shaped our bodies and minds. Our aim is to forge emotional and geographical connections, critically analyzing movement and migration through a decolonial framework; celebrating the multiplicity of identities and cultures that define contemporary Europe, while fostering compassion for those still suffering under our oppressive colonial inheritance."
Supported by our partners: Dance Festival Malta (MT), INTERPLAY - International Festival of Contemporary Dance and Performing Arts / Mozaico Danza (IT), Quinzena de Dança de Almada / Companhia de Dança de Almada (PT), Aerowaves Festival Sofia organized by Derida Dance Center represented by Art Link Foundation (BG), and Jerusalem International Dance Week / Machol Shalem Dance House (IL).
Choreography: Julienne Schembri, Deborah Falzon and Aaron Shah Aristun Shah.
As Dance Beyond Borders, we unite in our inquiry into the power of movement for social change. Our artist rationale is embedded in socio-political practice, artivism and creative production. Our body of work aims to inspire new questions, connect people, incite reflection, spark social action, and call for community change.
This is a project supported by the European Festivals Association (EFA).
.
Paige Allerton & Matthias Camilleri (Malta) Collision
The performances will occur at 7pm, Spazju Kreattiv's Theatre.
Two characters coming from different worlds crash into each other one day. They speak different languages. Playfully and quite accidentally they discover each other and start to almost imperceptibly merge. However is this what they want? What they both want? They take us on a childish journey through thoughts, questions, curiosities, memories, togetherness, and rejection, to find adventure? To find perhaps wholeness of some kind? In this world now, they collide. They collide over and over and over and in so doing insist on another way of life.
With original score by Albert Garzia, this piece is a continuation of an artistic collaboration between performers Paige Allerton, and Matthias Camilleri that aims to further explore the possibilities of interdisciplinary dance, storytelling and circus creation.
Choreographer and Director: Paige Allerton
Dancers: Paige Allerton and Matthias Camilleri
Music: Albert Garzia Paige Allerton
Paige Allerton is an international performing artist, movement specialist, dramaturge and anthropologist born in Canada. For the past ten years she has toured her work internationally in Asia, Africa, Europe, North and Central America for pedagogic, performance and research activities, focusing mainly on directing and creating original devised pieces in co-productions with groups of local artists.
Formerly Co-Artistic Director of Manifesto Poetico, where she worked from 2014 to 2024, she developed a way of composing live performance along with Carlos García Estévez that uses what they call SPATIAL DRAMATURGY.
She trained at the School of Jacques Lecoq, the Laboratory for the Study of Movement (LEM) in Paris, at the University of Toronto and with Manifesto Poetico. She was an associate artist at the Laboratory for the Study of Movement (LEM) at the school of Jacques Lecoq in Paris from 2016 to 2023.
Matthias Camilleri
Matthias Camilleri is a multi disciplinary performance and contemporary circus artist specialising in Chinese Pole and acrobatics. He commenced gymnastics training at the age of 7 at GymStars Gymnastics Club. He furthered his skills through Ballet and Contemporary at Johane Casabene Dance Conservatoire.
He performed locally, together with his team MalteseMotion until moving to London, UK to attend the National Centre for Circus Arts in 2017. There Matthias commenced his training on Chinese Pole, aerial straps and acro dance. Matthias completed his Bachelor's Degree in Circus Arts in 2020. In 2020 Matthias moved back to Malta where he expanded his practice into interdisciplinary performance, exploring the fields of dance, theatre, film and performance art. He continues to perform locally and internationally. Albert Garzia Maltese composer Albert Garzia (b. 1977) started his musical training as an accordionist at an early age under Dorselle Mifsud with whom he also studied piano performance. He started his composition studies with Raymond Schiberras however his formal academic studies were in Industrial Electronics. He started undergraduate studies in music composition at the University of Malta with Dion Buhagiar, John Galea, Joseph Vella and Charles Camilleri among other. He completed his B.A. (Hons.) (with First-Class Honours) read concurrently with a Diploma in Sacred Music. He was admitted at the School of Composition and Contemporary Music at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester) to read for a Master’s degree in composition which he completed with distinction. There he studied with Adam Gorb, Paul Patterson, Gary Carpenter and David Horne among others. Garzia’s music ranges from orchestral to chamber combinations and has been performed in a variety of settings. While being versatile in his approach, his objective is principally an effective musical communication which he strives to achieve by fusing folk elements into a contemporary music language.
Angela Bettoni, Niels Plotard, Rachel Calleja (Malta) B a l m .
Human to Human Balm. Heart to Heart Balm. Soul to Soul Balm.
‘B a l m ’ explores connection. A soothing, fragrant, restorative connection.
The kind of connection that creates safety and trust for one soul to reveal itself and be seen and one soul to bear witness in reverence. A gentle, holding, connection that binds us in shared humanity and with its power exudes a balm to the soul.
‘B a l m ’ is a mixed-ability dance theatre piece choreographed by Rachel Calleja and co-created and performed by Angela Bettoni and Niels Plotard. It is inspired and developed from the monologues of Angela Bettoni with a soundscore developed by Niels Plotard and the dramaturgical support of Giovanni Sabelli Fioretti. Co-produced by Perypezye Urbane and Professional Media Presence project within the framework of Creative Europe.
Supported by Arts Council Malta. Choreographer: Rachel Calleja
Dancers: Angela Bettoni and Niels Plotard.
Soundscape: Niels Plotard.
Dramaturgical support by Giovanni Sabelli Fioretti.
Rachel Calleja
Rachel Calleja is a choreographer, community artist, and creative therapist inspired by art's power to foster connections to the personal, communal, and intangible. Noticing the power of dance to empower and enliven, Rachel became determined to bring access and inclusion to dance in Malta. This led her to study for a Bachelors in Psychology (2009), and a B.A. in Dance Studies (2015) at the University of Malta, as well as Teacher Certification in DanceAbility at Impulstanz, Vienna (2012). Her most recent area of study is that of creative psychotherapy which aims to bring the power of creativity to therapeutic processes. Rachel has worked freelance as a choreographer, performer, educator and community artist since 2015 with past collaborations including Candoco Dance Company (UK) and Arts Council Malta (2023), Chester Dance (UK) (2021), Arts for the Blues (UK) (2022-2023), ZfinMalta (2016, 2023/4), Teatru Salesjan (2023), Spazju Kreattiv (2018-2021) and Opening Doors (2014-2019).
Angela Bettoni
Born in 2001, Angela is a writer, performer and advocate with Down Syndrome, completing her BA in Creative Arts at MCAST, where she previously received her Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts. She is part of the Opening Doors theatre group for adults with disabilities. Recent experiences/training include a 3- week internship with Stopgap Dance Company UK that included the 3-day Creative Tank Inclusive Dance Intensive; 1-month Erasmus placement at Hydrama Theatre Greece, with a theatre production of “The Bacchae” where she had a dance solo; 2-week Erasmus placement at Akropoditi Dance Festival in Greece participating in several workshops; and collaboration with the Mind Adventures Theatre Company in Sri Lanka, performing a duet to a monologue she wrote. She has been part of the 8- member mixed-ability cast choreographed by Douglas Comley for the ŻiguŻajg Festival for Children and Young People from 2021-23. From 2022-23 Angela participated in the Teatru Manoel Youth Dance Training programme. Niels Plotard
Niels (b. 1993, France) relates to atypical processes, ones which move away from habitual patterns of engaging and being-in-the-world. His interest lies in the weaving and intertwining of practices and perspectives. He is an transdisciplinary artist, performer and technician, intrigued by the exploration of movement within physical, visual and sonic worlds. He is curious about the invisible, the out-of-sight, the overlooked and the forgotten. He is driven by a search for alternative ways of creating meaningful connections with listeners. Curious about moving, and being moved. Collaboration is central to his practice. He looks to be in the perimeter of other people, collaborators and teachers who value honesty, transparency, inclusivity, sensitivity, awareness, and attention. Niels is in the process of developing his own practice as he grows, engaging with the subjects that matter to his immediate context and surroundings — feeding and giving back into the process of research, creation and community.
The MVMT (Malta) Il-Ħajja
The journey from youth to adulthood often begins with an inherent sense of optimism and a belief in the inherent goodness of people. In our early years, the world seems like a place of endless possibilities, where everyone is genuine, trustworthy, and has good intentions. This perception is shaped by a relatively limited scope of experiences and a lack of exposure to the complexities of human nature. This shift in perspective is a natural part of the maturation process. It encourages personal growth, resilience, and a more realistic understanding of the human condition. While it may be disheartening to realise that not everyone is as benevolent as we once believed, this awareness also equips us with the wisdom to make more informed decisions, cultivate genuine relationships, and navigate the complexities of life with a more grounded and discerning outlook. Choreography: Cheryl Lofreda
Performers: Cheryl Lofreda Miguel Azzopardi Portelli
Maria Micallef
Thea Sapiano
Music: Crown - Kendrick Lamar
Cheryl Lofreda / The MVMT
Cheryl Lofreda is the founder & director of her own team: Concept of Movement \ THE MVMT which was founded in 2016. She directed movement on several jobs locally, performed abroad & took part in several adverts & jobs abroad as well. Cheryl Started Teaching Internationally abroad at the age of 19. She taught and assisted in workshops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, France, USA, Mexico, Belgium & more) She also formed part of a Company & performed in the Theatre Show - ‘’Piece of Mind’’ by Mecnun Giasar in 2017.
In 2018 she travelled to assist & perform with Mecnun Giasar. (building block, snow globe, World of Dance Mexico, World of Dance Berlin & more). Cheryl has been trained & also collaborated with the best dancers & mentors in her movement around the world. She took Two of her Teams to compete in the Biggest Urban Dance Competition World of Dance Switzerland and placed 1st and 3rd in the Upper Team Division.
Cheryl is also working with Nike Own the Floor Malta where her aim is to continue to build a strong dance community on the island.
Beatriz Mira & Tiago Barreiros (Portugal) the horMoans - is that all there is
Two inhabitants of a distant land fall from the sky and discover silence.
In this place, they take space, they're made of matter. Something palpitates with their existence.
Attempting to dominate something that's now theirs, they see themselves exposed to the particularities of the emotion and the desire of a life that wasn't their own. They walk, fall, shout, touch, remember, discover the voice. The voice seems to have potency, is it real? And the body? Is it?
Potency inebriates, makes remember and forget. They lose themselves.
The place took care of them. It's over. Choreography/Performers: Beatriz Mira & Tiago Barreiros Music Composition: João Caldas Outside Eye: Chantal Kohlmeyer Co Production by Frei Art Festival, Festival 10 Sentidos & Dance Festival Malta. Funding & Sponsors by EstuCAB/Centro Coreográfico Lisboa, European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists – EFFEA,
an initiative of the European Festivals Association (EFA), co-funded by the European Union.
Beatriz Mira & Tiago Barreiros are two dancers/creators developing choreographic work together. Beatriz began her career in 2019 as a freelancer and Tiago danced in Introdans from 2016 to 2019. They met in 2020 as both were part of CPBC’s cast from 2020 to 2023. Their partnership unfolded through the creation of CORRENTE, premièred at Lugar Futuro Festival 2021. In 2022 this duet was selected for RIDCC and received the Het Nationale Ballet’s Partner Award, an invitation to choreograph a new piece for the dancers of the Junior Company - Out in the Heartland, premièred at Holland Dance Festival 2024. Further exploring their work in a duet format, they premièred café. at Blois Danse Festival 2023. In the same year, after participating at 10 Sentidos Festival, they’ve been invited by Studio Pro Arte to create a new work - the horMoans - premièred at Spring Dance Days 2024 in Freiburg, under the EFFEA program and supported partnership with 10 Sentidos Festival and Dance Festival Malta.
IMPORTANT
The programme for Dance Festival Malta Day 2 occurs in two venues for which two separate tickets need to be purchased.
Sponsored by APS Bank & Finaro