Festival Dance list.co.uk/festival
VENEZUELA VIVA Attracting five-star reviews and much whooping from its appreciative audience, Venezuela Viva was a smash hit at the 2005 Fringe. Now, the 12- strong dance troupe and live band are back for another round of spectacular music and movement. Celebrating the many cultures and styles that define the South American country, the show fuses salsa, flamenco, Arabic rhythms and much more. Amidst a sea of colourful costumes, the story of Venezuela’s past unfolds – history lessons don’t come more glamorous than this. ■ Venue 150 @ EICC, 0844 847 1639, until 23 Aug (not 17), £12–£14 (£10–£12). 5QUESTIONS
Breakdancer Tony Mills takes time out from his TV-inspired show, Watch It! to answer our 5 Questions Give five reasons why people should see your show It’s a real visual feast; It’s not aloof, so there should be something in there for everyone to relate to; It takes the audience on a journey; It’s a world premiere – honest!; Times are tough and a 45-min show for a fiver = BARGAIN!! What are the 4 best things about hip hop dance? It strives to be original, always evolving; It really embraces a grassroots, do-it- yourself approach to creativity; The trends and obsessions that run parallel – like sneakers and tracksuits; On the ground level it’s a world wide community, you can go pretty much anywhere and link up with a breaking crew. Who are the 3 biggest influences on the Tony Mills style? Definitely Edinburgh-based Australian dancer Janis Claxton she has taught me a lot; DV8, Jasmin Vardimon, Ballets C de la B and similar companies; The world around me. Your show is about TV – what are your 2 favourite TV shows? 24 will always be number one – don’t mess with Jack Bauer; And I’ve been watching True Blood recently. What 1 word sums up ‘Watch It!’? Sophisticated. (Kelly Apter) ■ Dance Base, 225 5525, 12–16 Aug, times vary, £5.
46 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 13–20 Aug 2009
Hitlist FESTIVAL DANCE *
✽✽ Spectrum The old BBC test card has never looked so interesting, as Avant Garde Dance company blend technology with sharp dancing to great effect. See review, page 48. C Chambers Street, 0845 260 1234, until 31 Aug (not 17), 4.05pm, £7.50–£9.50 (£4.50–£8.50). ✽✽ Dance Base – Give Dance A Chance Ten shows, each one as diverse as the next. Turn up every hour, on the hour, pay a fiver and immerse yourself in everything from contemporary to ballet, hip hop to Indian. Dance Base, 225 5525, until 16 Aug, times vary, £5. ✽✽ Tap Kids Some of the most talented young tap dancers in America head for the Fringe in this entertaining show about high school life. New Town Theatre, 0844 477 1000, until 30 Aug (not 17), 5.45pm, £11–£12 (£9–£10). ✽✽ Flhip Flhop: Everything Happens on the Break Great comic timing, an interesting story and some funky hip hop moves from Rannel theatre company, as two bored decorators pass the time in this excellent show. Zoo Southside, 662 6892, until 31 Aug, 12.50pm, £10 (£8). ✽✽ Four Quarters Four individual contemporary works from Helix Dance company, some witty, others darker – all worth a look. See review, page 48. The Zoo, 662 6892, until 23 Aug (not 17), 1.45pm, £8–£10. ✽✽ Venezuela Viva Back to the Fringe for a second time, this large-scale mix of music and dancing celebrates the South American country in fine style. See Big Pic, left. Venue 150 @ EICC, 0844 847 1639, until 23 Aug (not 17), £12–£14 (£10–£12). For venue addresses see index page 88.