THE BUTOH-A-GO-GO MOSCOW REPORT - 2004
photo: Zina
Ballet Moskva’s 5th International Festival of Contemporary Dance 2004
was a great success and likewise for Butoh-A-Go-Go.
Our part began on May 31st when we were invited to the festival’s
Russian National Television Press Conference. The panel consisted of the
Director of the festival, Nicolai Bassin, Ballet Moskva’s premiere classical
choreographer, Ballet Moskva’s new young contemporary choreographer and
Thomas Anfield and Kevin Bergsma of Butoh-A-Go-Go. The next day Nicolai Bassin
asked Butoh-A-Go-Go for a second performance to be presented in the closing
program of the festival.
Our first performance, the premiere of our new work, THE NARTHEX, a 40 minute
Butoh duet, was not until June 7th. Leading up to this we taught two
Butoh-A-Go-Go Master Classes that were well received and well attended by a
wide range of local and visiting performers. We were also guests for all
festival performances. We saw a vast variety of work from classical en pointe
ballet duets, to contemporary/modern dance spectaculars. Ballet Moskva’s
Contemporary Dance Company’s piece using Stravinsky’s, Rite of Spring was
clearly the stand-out performance, excelling in originality, innovation,
raw power and was stupendously and artfully executed. Interestingly enough
both the visiting traditional Italian company, Compagnia Egri Bianco Danza and
the edgy ROGIE & Company from the Nederlands used Stravinsky’s score in their
presentations.
Finally June 7th came and it was time for Butoh-A-Go-Go to ruffle our plumes
with the world premiere of THE NARTHEX (soundscape by Thomas Anfield /
lighting design by Kevin Bergsma). Its reception was beyond our expectations—
receiving many accolades and being dubbed “shamanistic” and “philosophical”.
Photo sessions and media interviews immediately followed the performance.
By the end of this day invitations to several festivals had been extended.
For our second performance we decided to do, THE MONKEY’S MASK, from our
repertoire, first performed at the Heinrich Arts Festival, Vancouver, 2000.
As we did not have the original sound score by Thomas, we adapted the work to two
instrumental works by Thomas’ Guru, Daevid Allen. Also, as a tribute to the
festival, between the two songs I sang the opening theme from Stravinsky’s,
Rite of Spring. This was also a great success and a delight for the Moscow
festival audience. Afterwards, Nicolai Bassin extended an invitation for the
subsequent festival in 2006.
This venture has been exceptionally rewarding, invigorating,
inspirational and in general, life affirming. Thomas and I are
overwhelmed with gratitude. THANK YOU to all of you for your moral
and/or financial support.
Special thanks to Claude Shryer, Inter-Arts Councilor at Canada
Council for the Arts for the travel funding, Nicolai Bassin and his amazing
assistant Maria, who has been a gracious host as well as the means of all our
communications from the very beginning and festival producer, Boris Tarisov.
Also thank you to all the performers and people who assisted and attended our
fundraiser, Lesley Pomeroy of 1067, Harbour Dance Studios, CADA,
The parks/green-spaces of Vancouver, where we developed THE NARTHEX.
Again, THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
For
more information please contact:
Kevin Bergsma
2122 Alberta St
Vancouver, BC V5Y 3K3
ph: 604-873-3334
email: butoh_a_go_go@kevinbergsma.com