The Dance Session
The 11th Krakow Spring Ballet opens at the Krakow Opera in early May. Two weeks later, on May 13 and 25, respectively, groups from the U.S. and France will perform at the opera house. A performance of the Complexions Contemporary Ballet from New York begins this year’s Spring Ballet.
“It is outstanding and really worth recommending,” says the Krakow Ballet Foundation’s Przemyslaw Sliwa about the American group.
The Complexions Contemporary Ballet, founded in 1994, has presented its original variety of modern dance all over the world. They have received many honors, among them the 1995 New York Times’ Music Critics Prize.
The group has two world-renowned stars – artistic director Dwight Rhoden, who is, according to the New York Times, “one of the most sought-after choreographers of our time,” and Desmond Richardson, a modern dancer who has appeared in well-known films, such as the Oscar-winning “Chicago.”
On May 13, they will present modern ballet suites at the Slowacki Theater.
Organizers of this year’s Spring Ballet have opted for variety. On May 25, the Käfig Group will perform the show “Terrain Vague” at the Culture Center of Nowa Huta.
“These are dancers from Lyon, France,” Sliwa says, “and, even though their break-dance style is more attractive for youngsters, by connecting this with other artistic forms, it could be quite interesting for older audiences, too.”
The Käfig is a group of dancers, acrobats and actors. Mourad Merzouki, the group’s choreographer and artistic director says, “Their aim is to tell a story in hip-hop, in something akin to a circus art.”
Even though it is the Spring Ballet, it always lasts until autumn. A major event of the season awaiting Krakovians on October 14-15 is the Boris Eifman’s Ballet Theater. The St. Petersburg-based troupe will perform its famous rendition of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull.
May 13, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, at 17:00 and 20:00 at the Slowacki Theater.
May 25, the Käfig Group, at 18:00 at the Culture Center in Nowa Huta.
Tickets are available at the Slowacki Theater box office or by phone.
Tel.: (0) 12 422-4022 or (0) 12 424-4525