Culture
Irish and international artists Dance Connect in Limerick up to April 2
The seventh edition of the cutting-edge Dance 2 Connect (D2C) LAB launches this week with an intensive three day workshop for international and Irish dance artists in Limerick
Dance innovators develop and showcase new work at Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, University of Limerick through dance 2 Connect from March 31 to April 2
The seventh edition of the cutting-edge Dance 2 Connect (D2C) LAB launches this week with an intensive three day workshop for international and Irish dance artists in Limerick. The programme will culminate with the presentation of a work in progress piece in the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance, at University of Limerick, on Wednesday April 2nd at 4.15pm.
Founded by Promenade supported artist Matt Szczerek, the D2C LAB is a dynamic professional development programme crafted for international and Irish dance artists who span the worlds of street dance and contemporary dance theatre. Each year, participants selected for the Labs engage with a renowned guest choreographer and mentor. The workshops culminate with a performance of dance piece devised during the week.
Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland, with additional support from long term partners Dance Ireland and for the first time since its inception last year, Luail, Ireland’s national dance company, D2C will in 2025 deliver three labs across the island of Ireland, in Belfast, Dublin and Limerick.
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This year’s mentor has been confirmed as Dutch dance artist Ques Zaalman. Based in the Netherlands, Ques has been one of the most prominent members of the Krump Culture in Europe. For almost two decades, he has participated in and judged various international battles (SDK, ILLEST etc.) and has taught Krump globally at various programmes alongside Tight Eyez (co-creator of Krump). He has been, and still is, part of various media and theatre productions such as diverse music videos of international artists, national TV shows, performance art at Boijmans Museum and more. Ques is also an activist, organizer, and educator.
Previous D2CLab choreographers and mentors include Mark “Brui5er” Sheats, US based choreographers Lisa Berman (MonaLisa) and Joseph Tran (MN Joe), Elon Hoglund from Tentacle Tribe, Antony Missen from Company Chameleon, and Joseph Toonga from Just US company.
Selected via a competitive application process, the D2CLab is open to advanced and intermediate dancers in all genres of movement. The Labs provide an invaluable opportunity for street dancers to share with contemporary practitioners and to develop a deeper understanding of choreographic methodologies. During the Labs, the fusion of street dance and contemporary styles fosters shared learning. Dancers gain from each other’s techniques and performance strategies, diving deep into their choreographic pursuits.
Founder and curator of D2CLab, Matt Szczerek, a professional Dublin based dancer and choreographer, is excited to be delivering the seventh edition of D2C across the island of Ireland. Matt, whose movement is based in street dance and contemporary, Krump and Breaking, has danced regularly with CoisCeim Dance Theatre and is a member of Dance Ireland and ISACS . He is also creative director for Human Collective and choreographer for Kundle Cru.
He said the showcase piece to be developed and performed at the Limerick D2C Lab will be rooted in Krump practice with contemporary touches. “It will explore the liberation of body and mind in difficult times of unrest, delving into the idea of a caging, asking what liberation means to all of us.”
The 2025 D2C Labs take place in Limerick, Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at University of Limerick from March 31 – April 2nd; Belfast, Crescent Arts Centre, April 4 – 5; Dublin, DanceHouse, April 7 – 11.
To attend the D2C Lab showcase performance at University of Limerick on Wednesday April 2nd please email [email protected]
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