Preview- Dancers' Homework- CCDC
29-12-15
By: Haddie Nguyen
Extraordinary creativity. Innovative works.
This is how CCDC describes their latest bill, Dancers' Homework. It's an upcoming showcase of new choreographers that will be taking place at the Jockey Club Dance Theatre at the CCDC Dance Centre in Wong Tai Sin.
As one of Hong Kong’s most creative dance ensembles, CCDC brings refreshing new voices to the dance floor with their latest showcase Dancers’ Homework. It hopes to be a place for CCDC dancers to express their choreographic talent in an open and safe space. The bill for Dancers’ Homework features a mixed lineup of seven emerging choreographers from the CCDC company, reacting to and revitalizing the unique rhythm of our city.
With Hong Kong as their inspiration, how will these individuals take on the city with seven different takes? I was privileged to see a similar concept by Hong Kong Ballet earlier in the year at the Choreographers' Showcase. Hong Kong is an excellent source of inspiration for dance. There are so many viewpoints and themes one could take with the medium but I have to wonder how will CCDC's choreographers make these pieces new and unique?
Choreographer Malvina Tam says "The seven of us grew up in different environments with different hobbies and habits. Everyone creates a unique show with their personalities while this performance is a mixture of solo, pas de deux and group dance. With these differences, I think it gives the audience something fresh." Miss Tam will be presenting a solo piece, Revisiting Circumstance, by which she hopes to explore how people survive and adapt in the information boom.
Each choreographer is covering different topics and perspectives; hoping to diversify the coverage in the showcase. There will hopefully be something for everyone in the performance. Terry Tsang, who is also creating a piece for the show says, "Some (of the choreographers) explore the possibility of the body and movement and how the movement can comply with the content of the choreography, giving the audience spaces to imagine; some perform in a dramatic way and the relationship between characters is complicated."
CCDC is passionate about hiring new talent. They have one of the best records in the city for hiring local dancers, rather than talent from abroad. Willy Tsao, the Artistic Director and founder of CCDC, is passionate about this. "Many talented young HK dancers, filled with imagination, are keen to express through their choreography. The Company is providing a platform to them for their creative debut - without any pressure on ticket sales. This also is an important development for the young dance makers, building up confidence and reaching out to our audience."
Youth power and innovation have been hot button topics in Hong Kong over the past two years with the developments in Hong Kong politics and business. You can't deny the passion of Hong Kong's youth. "Young people often have innovative ideas. For those ideas that are not drowned out by society, they are worth listening to and appreciated, and will allow the audience to feel fresh and new," says Ivan Chan, another of the choreographers for the performance.
I am pleased and enthralled by the words of the dancers and choreographers at CCDC and can't wait to see the show on January 1st. For those art lovers who are not planning on drowning their sorrows on New Years Eve, Dancers' Homework should be a worthwhile and wonderful way to kick off your new year with innovative and creative thought.
Dancers' Homework will take place at the at the Jockey Club Dance Theatre at the CCDC Dance Center in Wong Tai Sin. For those of you who are unsure where this is, it's located on the ground floor at 110 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin. It's very convenient, right near the Wong Tai Sin MTR. Tickets are extremely reasonable at 100HKD and are available on artmate. The show is well suited for adults and children. Program 1 shows at Friday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm, Program 2 shows on Sunday at 3pm and 8pm. For the full lineup, please visit the CCDC website.
"The most memorable thing (about this project) is that it is my first experiment with dance. I hope audiences will come to support us," says the beautiful Natalie Mak. I also hope that people will come and support their efforts. People are often very unkind to the new and experimental artist. The best thing we can do as art lovers is simply be present.
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