¿Ultimo? 2006
On request of the Cuban partner Escuela Nacional de Danza Moderna y Folklórica Le Grand Cru has created an exchange with the Vooropleiding Dans in Venlo. A performance with differences and similarities between peers from two cultures. The Dutch dancers have been training for two weeks at the school in Cuba. As follow-up the Cuban dancers rehearsed and performed for one month in the Netherlands under the guidance of LGC and principal teacher Arlay González Padin and Head of the Dance department Liesbeth Wiertz.
¿Ultimo? is an expression of courtesy at the busstop, but when the bus comes nobody wants to be last. Rules are there to disobey sometimes, especially when you are young, a dancer and ambitious. The first, the best and the most beautiful.
¿Ultimo? is an expression of courtesy at the busstop, but when the bus comes nobody wants to be last. Rules are there to disobey sometimes, especially when you are young, a dancer and ambitious. The first, the best and the most beautiful.
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Dutch Russian Exchange
The Young Hearts Festival in Groningen asked LGC to do a workshop/presentation with young aerobics champions from the Dutch village of Delfzijl and champions from Severomorsk in Russia. This 'nuclear submarine' city lies above the arctic circle and still is a forbidden military zone. A first time Grand Cru encounter with aerobics dancers. An exciting experience in which Le Grand Cru's mapping method served above all as icebreaking between the two groups. The presentation of the workshop was received very well in the Groningen Grand Theatre.
Review
"At the beginning of the performance we directly see the contrasts between free moving of the Dutch Youth and the strong discipline of the Cubans. The Dutch dancers move in a wild way through space on 'Nirvana' 'smells like teen spirit' Alternating the dance a solo, which expresses their individuality. When the Cubans react, a drilled choreography follows accompanied by the military voice of an invisible teacher. It is modern dance, but looks like military precision. This effect is augmented by their costumes: a green training suit with 'Cuba' and a red painted hand on the back. After this opening a series of different scenes follow..."
"Behind a banner with 'Hasta La Victoria Siempre' a boy appears changing T-shirts of Che Guevara and Balkenende (Dutch prime-minister). It turns out to be two different dancers, twins. The audience strongly appreciates this trick of vision..."
"The performance ends with a Spanish spoken text about family and love. One dancer translates in Dutch showing this scene is a key moment in the performance. The dancers on stage are visibly touched. A special strong moment as both on the Cuban side (twin brothers) as on the Dutch side (brother and sister) are on stage..."
"Most striking of Ultimo is the professionalism of the dancers. The performance is made in a very short time, in fact work in progress. Nonetheless, the strong technique and performance quality of the dancers makes the work look strong and mature. And of course the dancers have tasted another culture as a personal experience; a short but relevant exchange."
Vakblad Dans, January 2007, Hanneke Koolen
"Behind a banner with 'Hasta La Victoria Siempre' a boy appears changing T-shirts of Che Guevara and Balkenende (Dutch prime-minister). It turns out to be two different dancers, twins. The audience strongly appreciates this trick of vision..."
"The performance ends with a Spanish spoken text about family and love. One dancer translates in Dutch showing this scene is a key moment in the performance. The dancers on stage are visibly touched. A special strong moment as both on the Cuban side (twin brothers) as on the Dutch side (brother and sister) are on stage..."
"Most striking of Ultimo is the professionalism of the dancers. The performance is made in a very short time, in fact work in progress. Nonetheless, the strong technique and performance quality of the dancers makes the work look strong and mature. And of course the dancers have tasted another culture as a personal experience; a short but relevant exchange."
Vakblad Dans, January 2007, Hanneke Koolen