David's Dance Podcast

This week I’m joined by dance artist Aakanksha Rawat. Aakanksha and I had just completed a tour of Sonia Sabri’s “Same Same… But Different” at the time of recording in March 2022. We discuss the origins of Kathak, Aakanksha’s journey with the art form, and the specificity of experiencing and learning Indian classical dance in the UK. 

To find out more:

Aakanksha’s Insta @aakanksharawat27

Sonia Sabri co. Insta @soniasabrico

Sonia Sabri website https://www.ssco.org.uk/

This week I’m joined by Italian-British dance artist Selene Travaglia. Selene and I have just completed a tour of Sonia Sabri’s “Same Same… But Different” and Selene is now beginning a tour of “Squidge” by Wriggle Dance Theatre which will be touring the UK till May. We discuss what makes a great dancer, the choreographer who changed the way she thought about what a dance piece could be, the virtues of improvised dance, and the beauty of connecting with audiences throughout the tour of “Same Same…But Different” and “Squidge”. Selene is a talented and experienced performer, and it was a pleasure diving into her incredible dance journey. 

To find out more:

Selene’s insta @sele.nene

Sonia Sabri co. insta @soniasabrico

Wriggle Dance Theatre insta @wriggledance

This week on the podcast I’m joined by the Scotland-based choreographer David West.

We discuss how mental health is depicted on the stage and how he handles these issues in his new work Sanctuary. We talk about his approach to creating the work including working with memories, the use of repetition, and creating improv structures. I hope you enjoy this podcast as deep dive into the nitty gritty of his choreographic process and values.

To find out more about David West and Sanctuary check out David’s Instagram: @eqdanceco

This month on the podcast, I’m joined by Newcastle-based dance artist Benedicta Valentina Mamuini. We talk about her tour with balletLORENT’s “The Lost Happy Endings” and her amazing journey with the company. Also, we discuss new approaches to auditioning and the challenges of maintaining dance skills post-degree. Lastly, we start to unpack the creation of her collection of works in development “Other” with collaborator Lila Naruse and how the work explores themes of mixed heritage.

To find out more about the projects discussed in this podcast:

Benedicta Valentina Mamuini Instagram: @benedictavalentina

Lila Naruse Instagram: @lila.j.naruse

BalletLorent Instagram: @balletlorent

Dance City Instagram: @dance_city_newcastle

Ps. Yes, we are back! I'll be posting new episodes monthly, so click the subscribe/follow button for new episodes. 

The world is opening up again and so is dance. It's nice to be working again. This week I talk about my experience dancing at the Manchester International Festival and choreographing a new pop up outdoor piece.  This will be the end of Season 1. I am taking a break to focus on work creation and we'll be back in the Winter. Subscribe to find out when I start releasing episodes again. 

This week I try a new solo format called "Dancer reacts.." and do a commentary podcast on Jiří Kylián's "Petite Mort". Created back in '91 this work is by the choreographer who headed up Nederlands Dans Theater for two decades. I've been binge watching his back catalogue on marquee.tv/ and this piece and another piece "Bella Figura" I was really struck by. To watch it with me check out David's Dance Podcast on YouTube as I unpack the choreography. I also talk about photographer Tyler Mitchell's book "I Can Make You Feel Good". Mitchell's depiction of young Black Americans in playful scenarios, speaks to an artist that is reclaiming the narratives around the representation of himself and people like him, young Black men. While not dance, his work has to do with the body and how it is represented both aesthetically and in conversation with culture and historical narratives. In that way it is a great discussion launcher for those interested in dance and the performative body. 

My instagram: @dance_across_mediums
Email me: [email protected]

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the co-directors of Traceworks Dance, Julian Lewis and James Aiden Kay. We discuss what a lifeline online teaching has been for dance professionals as well as individuals and families. We delve into the process behind their new outdoor popup performance developed with and for communities and southeast London. I joined James and Julian on their first studio day of rehearsals, so the excitement of being back in the studio is a very real, and I look forward to seeing what this talented duo create.

To find out more about Traceworks and the new work:

Traceworks: @traceworksdance

Julian Lewis: @juliandavidlewis

James Aiden Kay: @jamesaidenk

This week I’m joined by a dancer operating in both Contemporary and Vogue circles, Faye Stoeser. It’s difficult to be good at more than one style, but this dancer manages to be excellent at both with her signature precision and serpentine style. We talk about Faye’s journey from studio dancer to Contemporary dance and introduction to Vogue. We discuss the development of the ballroom scene, the influence of her research into learning on her dance practice, and the differences in working within both repertoire and in a creative process. 

To find out more:

Instagram: @fayerevlon

You can watch Faye on tour in:

Richard Chappell’s “Infinite Ways Home”: Follow @richard.chappell.dance for announcements

Jose Agudo’s “Carmen”: Follow @joseagudo.co.uk and visit https://www.joseagudo.co.uk/portfolio/carmen/ to watch the trailer

This week on the podcast, I am joined by the tremendously talented Ben Knapper. We talk about his growth as a company dancer with BalletBoyz, learning to explore the emotional world of a dance work and tap into what we're feeling in performance. We discuss how he's taken these skills in building a character through movement into his role movement directing the play White (Other). Ben is also exploring new possibilities as a performer in Christopher Mathews' immersive installation at Sadler's Wells, my body's an exhibition. I enjoyed this time with Ben digging into the processes and headspaces that drive dance performances that really transcend physical technique. 

To find out more:

Ben's Instagram: @benknapper

White (Other) at Brighton Fringe by @polevaulttc : https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/white-other-147212/

My body's an exhibition by @christopher_matthews_choreo : https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/wild-card-christopher-matthews-formed-view-my-bodys-an-exhibition/

Ample space dance space in Hackney Wicks: @amplespace.co.uk

This week on the podcast I’m joined by a dance artist and movement consultant representing Mexico and London, Mariana Lorenzano. She is the owner of the dance school, specializing in early years, Ballet North. By night she is a fierce and glittery voguer and ballroom culture activist representing House of Valentino. We discuss how teaching has changed since the pandemic, her journey into the vouge scene, the history and health of the scene today, and challenging ourselves creatively as dancers.

To find out more:
The in-between words and movement project: @thei.nbetween
Ballet North: @ballet_north
Queer ballet info through Mariana's profile: @mariana.puma

Technical note: There's a bit of scratchiness on the audio, but it clears up after minute 11. I put it in anyway, because I didn't want you to miss any of this great podcast.