Brisbane Festival 2010 is proud to announce that Cuba’s famed Danza Contemporánea de Cuba, long recognised as one of the world’s most groundbreaking modern dance companies, will perform their only Australian shows at QPAC from Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18th September exclusively for Brisbane Festival 2010.

Renowned for its dancers’ fluidity, fire and sheer physical artistry, the company has devised a new language of dance, a pungent blend of Afro-Caribbean expression, classical European ballet and American modernism.

Audiences will experience the passion and revolutionary brilliance of Danza Contemporánea de Cuba through two ninety-minute programs, each featuring three dance works.

Demo-N/Crazy is the spectacular opening work in both programmes – this physically and emotionally intense, free and fevered exploration of the human psyche comes from revered choreographer Rafael Bonchela.

The second spectacular work in the first programme is choreographer Kenneth Kvamstrom’s clever contemporary interpretation of Carmen, featuring Bizet’s beautiful music and a selection from Russian composer Rodion Schendrin.

The alternative to Carmen for the second programme is the extravagant Folia. Inspiration for this contemporary work by Jan Linkens is drawn from carnival rhythms and the concept of Folia – the most ancient of musical themes or melodies in different cultures.

Both programmes finish with the cutting edge Mambo 3XXI from George Céspedes. With a soundtrack combining the music of Cuban bandleader and composer Perez Prado with seventies disco, techno, trip-hop and ambient, Mambo 3XXI adds a flourish of 21st century street attitude to the best of Cuban dance.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director, Noel Staunton, says Danza Contemporánea de Cuba’s performance is testament to Brisbane Festival’s commitment to presenting a program of unique national and international artists for Australian audiences.

“Danza Contemporánea de Cuba has defied many odds to be on the front edge of contemporary dance for decades. Maybe it’s because of these factors that they have continued to write their own rules, dance to a completely unique beat and to flourish.”

For raw, sweaty exuberance and contemporary dance like no other, don’t miss out on Danza Contemporanea de Cuba during Brisbane Festival 2010.

VENUE: Playhouse, QPAC

Programme 1 Demo-N/Crazy
Carmen
Mambo 3XXI  Tuesday 14 September at 8pm Wednesday 15 September at 8pm
Saturday 18 September at 8pm

Programme 2 Demo-N/Crazy
Folia
Mambo 3XXI  Thursday 16 September at 8pm
Friday 17 September at 8pm
Saturday 18 September at 1.30pm

TICKETS: Adult $60, Concession $40, Groups $40 (includes all fees and charges)

BOOKINGS: Phone – 136 246 or visit www.brisbanefestival.com.au