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This summer, France offers more dance, theater and music festival getaways in the provinces than ever before, and even if you find yourself "stuck" in the capital, you'll still be able to enjoy a breath of fresh air at the annual Paris Quartier d'Eté evening concerts held in the picturesque Palais Royal gardens. Provincial towns, especially in southern France, have been investing masses of local funding of late to transform every possible former Roman arena and outdoor ancient historical site into moonlit summer theater spaces that invariably lure art fiends looking for something more than beach bumming during their vacations. Sadly, however, two of France's main summer dance events have been canceled this year the Châteauvallon Festival, because of lack of funding, and Danse à Aix which has yielded its annual time slot to the International Festival of Lyric Art, celebrating its 50th year. Other regional fests have striven to compensate for the losses and feature an eclectic array of renowned dance companies. While the few devoted exclusively to dance remain the strongly-funded veteran Montpellier Dance Festival, as well as two smaller more avant-garde venues, Les Hivernales in Avignon and Estivales Danses in Paris, following is a selection of festivals offering exciting dance programs that are worth a trip, or at least a detour if you happen to be in the area. Montpellier Danse, through July 5, Hôtel d'Assas, 6, rue Vieille Aiguillerie, 34000 Montpellier, tel: 04.67.60.07.40. Now in its 18th year, the Montpellier Dance Festival, along with Danse à Aix and the Biennale de Lyon, has contributed plenty over the last two decades to the promotion of contemporary dance, serving as a showcase for France's leading troupes, as well as simultaneously fostering new, lesser-known talents. This year's program includes over a dozen programs by choreographers such as Patrice Barthes, Jean-Claude Gallotta, Mathilde Monnier, Karine Saporta, Boris Charmatz, John Jasperse and Merce Cunningham, who premiers "Ocean." The Festival's special theme centers around African creations by several prize-winning choreographers of the Interafrican Competition. Estivales Danses (Paris), July 3 - 9, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, 37 bis, bd de la Chapelle, 10e, Metro Porte de la Chapelle, tel: 01.46.07.34.50. Thanks to the initiative of Jean-Pierre Reyes, director of the very "in" Harmonic Dance Studios, the Estivales Danses program has run annually since 1995, giving priority to the Harmonic teacher-choreographers to present their latest solo or company works. This year, 13 choreographers from the most diverse horizons will each have one evening to test out the Parisian public. One specially-awaited show is "The Dance of the Seven Veils," by Tunisian dancer Leila Haddad. An interesting twist to this fest is that several of the dancemakers can also be seen performing in their colleagues' creations... It's a small world after all. La Première Nuit des Etoiles Solidaires (Nîmes), July 18, reservations: 04.66.76.26.07. Sponsored by Bernard Kouchner, France's health minister, and coordinated by the AIDES organization, this worthy AIDS fund-raiser held in the ancient arenas of Nîmes promises to be one night to remember. Participating in the event are the Paris Opera's leading étoiles and soloists in a 90-minute program of ballet favorites. Among the highlights: Monique Loudières and Manuel Legris will perform in Jiri Kylian's "Return to a Strange Land" as well as in a pas de deux from Kenneth McMillan's "l'Histoire de Manon." Recently-named étoile Agnès Letestu and her partner José Martinez will dance in George Balanchine's "Sylvia" and Janowsky's "Alquivia." Carolyn Carlson has promised a world creation set to Bellini's famous aria "Casta Diva" (no doubt using Maria Callas' historic rendition) and, in a grande finale, the whole cast will let loose in Balanchine's swinging "Who Cares." L'Eté des Hivernales d'Avignon...Danse à suivre, July 15-31, La Manutention, 4, rue escalier Ste-Anne, 84000 Avignon, tel: 04.90.82.33.12. The main Hivernales dance fest, which is held every February in Avignon, has promoted young contemporary dance companies for many years, and now regularly sets up a summer version which runs at the same time as the celebrated Avignon Festival. Four companies are on the bill, including Frédéric Werlé's Iritis Company and Reunion Island choreographer Pascal Montrouge's company. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, giving the adventurous spectator a chance to discover rising dance talent amid all the stars in town. Festival d'Avignon, July 10 to August 2, B.P. 492, 84073 Avignon Cedex, tel: 04.90.14.14.26. Traditionally a dramatic theater festival featuring the world's best new versions of old classics and a selection of brilliant new plays, Avignon is devoting less and less space to dance as the years go by. This summer, among the 50-odd performances, only three choreographic works are part of the official fest, and these are by three well-placed directors of national choreographic centers: Claude Brumachon, Daniel Larrieu and Karine Saporta. Festival de Marseille, running through July 22, 6, pl Sadi Carnot, 13215 Marseille, tel: 04.91.99.00.20. This well-established summer event rivaling the World Cup matches this year offers numerous, mostly free, popular music concerts with a sprinkling of accessible dance programs, including inevitable hip-hop shows. Frédéric Flammand's Charleroi/Danses Company will present "Moving Target," a work inspired by Nijinsky's Notebooks, and the Brazilian Claudio Bernardo will premiere his "Systole," a tribute to the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The Trisha Brown Company also will perform on July 22, and an exhibit devoted to her and to post modern dance opens at the Vieille Charité exhibition space on July 20. Paris, Quartier d'Eté, July 19 to August 9, reservations: 01.42.72.60.01. Every year, the Palais Royal gardens are transformed into a starry-ceilinged outdoor theater for the dance part of this summer Fest. No foreign artists have been invited this year, but the three productions listed should draw big audiences. Jean-Claude Gallotta / Groupe Emile Dubois will present "Le Songe d'une rue d'été," July 20-23. Daniel Larrieu's "On était si tranquille" will run from July 27-30, and never fear the stage will be hip-hopping August 1-4 with the Storm and Jazzy Project. Shows begin at 10pm. |
