STEP Up Dance Project has been a recurring summer event for four years, now operating out of our contemporary resource centre, Dance Limerick. Following five weeks of intensive rehearsal and work practice by emerging young professionals who qualified in Ireland, there’s a chance to see their new composition ‘Hopscotch!’ on Thursday August 6 in John’s Square, one night only at 6pm.
This is a free show and in “exploring the predicament of five individuals caught in a game where the rules are constantly changing”, should be well worth turning out for.
Talking to Jenny Traynor who manages the centre, she makes the point that ‘Hopscotch!’ is a new work created for Step Up by invited international artist Helene Cathala, a French woman. We get a window into the vulnerable world of contemporary dancer.
“Usually the project brings hope to six or seven young dancers who are originally from Ireland, because so many graduates go abroad to study. It’s about recommending them to Ireland as the body of work available to them is overseas and they don’t come back, getting caught up in the UK”. Across the pond is where most opportunities lie.
Cathala herself is a big deal in choreography. She has worked with the best, including Ireland’s Liz Roche in ‘Bastard Amber’ at The Abbey Theatre. Her new work ‘Hopscotch!’ was shaped with guest teachers for the troupe of dancers and is to premier at Dance Limerick on Thursday 6, 6pm bell. It then moves on to Firkin Crane in Cork and DanceHouse, Foley Street in Dublin.
