Workshops to be held as part of Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival

As part of a whole month of dance performances, the 23^rd edition of the Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival also has some workshops planned. On the day the festival is concluding, June 25, two workshops will take place at Rialto Theatre, Limassol with dancers Joy Alpuerto Ritter and Dickson Mbi.

The day will begin with Ritter’s Hybrid Movements workshop from 9am to 10.30am. The morning session will include improvisation with dancers working on different ideas and body positions, aiming to develop their creativity and personal expressive qualities. It will be centred around the waving technique, rhythmic and ground exercises while body rhythm and musicality will also be explored.

Ritter was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. In her youth, she trained at the Ballettschule Armin Krain and learned Philippine Folk Dance in the cultural dance group led by her mother. Since 2013 she has been a dancer and rehearsal director of the Akram Khan Company. She continues her touring life all around the world as a performer, presenting her own work. As a teacher, Ritter has been giving workshops internationally, focusing on choreography and improvisation. Her dance language is mixed between urban dance, folk and contemporary dance and concepts.

The second workshop will run from 11am to 12.30pm, run by Mbi who is a world-renowned dancer in the hip hop dance community for his popping skills, integral to his work today. Through this workshop, he will share his practice and experience working with leading artists Basement Jaxx, Shallama, Robbie Williams, Corinne Bailey-Rae, Black Eyed Peas, Russell Maliphant and Boy Blue Entertainment. Contemporary dance, martial arts and popping techniques, with a particular focus on improvisation, release, floor work, partner work, and performance techniques shape his workshop. Starting with a warm-up, Dickson will lead the participants through his solo work, performed as part of Portraits in Otherness.

Dance Workshops

Part of the 23^rd Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival. June 25. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 9am-10.30am. 11am-12.30pm. www.cypruscontemporarydancefestival.com/. Tel: 7777-7745