The ‘Dansalona’ festival aims to promote dance in thirteen areas of Barcelona this summer

Barcelona (ACN).– The third ‘Dansalona’ event aims to promote artistic activity during the months of August and September in Barcelona, featuring a variety of dance performances, workshops and activities in 13 different areas. The event is a public and private sector initiative, sponsored by the Association of Theatres of Catalonia (ADETCA) and the ‘Mercat de les Flors’ which promotes contemporary dance and movement arts. Julio Alvarez, Director of the Tantarantana theater, said that the project “aims to popularise dance” and open it to new audiences. For example 'Espais en dansa' (Dancing spaces), is a project to open up the work that goes on behind the scenes with the participation of dance schools, companies and creative spaces.

One of the ‘Dansalona’ festival’s main focuses are the activities offered under the name ‘Espais en dansa’. There are three ways in which participants are put in contact with dance schools, companies and creative spaces. ‘Coneix els creadors’ (Meet the creators) opens the doors to rehearsals, with lectures and workshops to show the work that goes into each show.

Similarly, ‘Coneix les escoles’ (Discover the schools) promotes attendance at ballet classes at the different schools involved such as l'Escola de Ballet Eulàlia Blasi, Centre Maxime d'Harroche, Eòlia and Bailongu. Whereas ‘Coneix els espais’ (Discover the spaces) shows the operation of centres including the Liceu, Espai Dansat!, Romea, l’Antic Teatre and the Teatre Gaudí.

These past years have seen a range of flamenco shows with renowned artists such as Mexican Karime Maya, who will be participating in the festival ‘Mas i Mas’ in August and in ‘Al paso de un caballero andaluz’ at the Teatro Romea from September 11^th to 24^th. The objective is to open the cultural activity to tourists from countries where there is a tradition of art and dance.

Amongst the shows available there is ‘Unforgiveable’ at L’Antic Teatre by Hajime Fujita and Isabel Ollé between September 20^nd and 23^rd, ‘Happy Ha Ha’ from September 30^th to December 30^th and ‘Lulú’ from August 10^th to September 30^th at ‘Teatre Gaudí’.

Also there are performances of ‘Carmen (ballant a la sorra)’ directed by Maria Rovira at ‘Teatro Goya’ from August 3^rd to September 2^nd, ‘Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’ at ‘Gran Teatre del Liceu’ from September 13^th to 15^th as well as ‘Mobile / Evolution’ at ‘l'Espai Dansat al SAT!’ on September 14^th and 15^th. To finish the festival the Parc de Ciutadella will host dance workshops in different styles such as swing, Zumba, Bollywood or the ‘lindy hop’.