Asia-Pacific CHANNELS

Newsletter of the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific No. 2 | December 2019 Executive reports The Executive Board of the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific (WDAAP) is elected by the membership every two years at the Annual General Meeting, which is held in a different country each year and is hosted by the local WDA chapter. The Executive Board consists of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and four regional Vice Presidents, who represent the interests of their regions: East Asia, South-East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific. Members with a specific interest in the affairs of one of these regions should contact the designated Vice President. If members wish to contribute to issues within their own countries, they should contact their Chapter heads. 'Positive, Negative. Negative, Positive', by Ralph Malaque, Contents performed by Peejay de Guzman, John Dave Panes, Ralph Malaque, Ansari Decampong, Executive reports 1 Give-Way Diosanta, and President’s report 2 Bryan Andagan. Part of Vice President's report 3 Last Quarter Intensives Secretary General's report 4 at SM Trade Hall, General South Asia report 5 Santos City, Philippines, on 16 November 2019. Pacific report 6 Photo: Sheila Tomaquin Southeast Asia report 8

Network reports 10 Research & Documentation Network report 12 Education & Training Network report 14

Chapter reports 16 Aotearoa New Zealand report 18 Australia report 21 Bangladesh report 22 Ocean Dance Festival Choreolab report 24 Hong Kong report 26 Channels, No. 2 December 2019 India report 28 Newsletter of the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific Indonesia report 30 ISSN: 1328–2115 Korea report 32 Editor: Bilqis Hijjas ([email protected]) Malaysia report 34 Publisher: World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific Philippines report 36 Taiwan report 38 International Young Choreographers' Project report 40

2020 WDA events Cover: Call for Paper Submissions: 2020 JEDS 44 Participants of the 2020 WDAAP/TDRS Conference and AGM 46 choreolab of the Ocean Dance Festival, facilitated Maria Farih Upama About the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific 47 by Sashar Zarif, in their performing in the inaugural culminating performance World Dance Alliance key contacts 48 performance for the Ocean of ‘Chaand... The Dance Festival at Cox's Bazar, Reflection of a Wish’ Bangladesh, at the open air at Cox's Carnival, Cox's stage of Mermaid Beach Bazar, Bangladesh, on 22 Resort, on 22 November 2019. November 2019. Photo: Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon Ridwan Adid Rupon

December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 1 President's report by Urmimala Sarkar Munsi

I would like to extend my appreciation and array of dances – classical, folk, and creative thanks to all of you who joined us for the innovations. There was also a conference Ocean Dance Festival, from 22 till 25 titled ‘Bridging the Gap’ during this time – November 2019. We are committed in appropriately named and designed to bring World Dance Alliance to build a community together researches, workshops, lecture and a vibrant network of people who are demonstrations, and conversations between associated with the world of dance in dance choreographers, artistes, scholars, different manners. My greetings therefore and organisers. We celebrated dance reach out to include all the people who have together. The WDAAP AGM at made this event happen, and all those who Amidst a huge crowd we became witness Mermaid Beach Resort, joined us in celebrating dance – in all its to a production named “Chaand... The Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on 24 November 2019. beauty, grace, strength, and relevance in the Reflection of a Wish” – a production that A.P. Rajaram presents the current times. I also extend my greetings to has come out of a fifteen-day choreolab report of the Research & a number of World Dance Alliance friends, mentoring nineteen young dancers, Documentation network. who could not make it to this event. You all facilitated and mentored by Canadian Seated L-R: WDAAP Former President Yunyu were missed. choreographer Sashar Zarif. Wang, South Asia Vice As the year moves towards its end, we While acknowledging all the past histories President Lubna Marium, have finished our yearly duty of having the that have made it possible for us to have President Urmimala Annual General Meeting of World Dance dance as a part of our lives, I urge the Sarkar, and Southeast Asia Vice President Bilqis Alliance Asia Pacific (WDAAP) for 2019. We dancers, dance scholars, choreographers, Hijjas. Photo: Ridwan Adid congregated on the beaches of Cox’s Bazar, teachers, and enthusiasts to celebrate the Rupon Bangladesh, on invitation from Nrityajog, range of different and new possibilities the Bangladesh chapter of WDAAP. It is all around us. I also acknowledge with always overwhelming and gratifying to see gratitude the vibrant contributions of the so much dance – not only surviving but young members for whom the World also thriving – celebrating life while defying Dance Alliance networks have worked the ever-present challenges. Nrityajog, hard to create new opportunities, and new supported by Government of Bangladesh collaborative experiences. and World Dance Alliance, organised the I cannot thank our hosts enough for having first Ocean Dance Festival in Cox’s Bazar, made this coming together possible. Vice President's report spirited in this difficult time. There is no and hosted the WDAAP Annual General Pina Bausch had once said, "Dance, better way to generate positive and good meeting in the same space. Our hosts took dance, otherwise we are lost". Let’s continue by Stella Lau energy than through practicing dance! on the responsibility to showcase a huge to celebrate dance! First of all, I want to congratulate Lubna and With huge support from Anis, Yunyu, her team for their hard work and effort to Urmimala and the Board, our forthcoming make the Ocean Dance Festival (ODF) a big project – World Dance Alliance Global great success in the second half of 2019. Summit & International Festival of Dance Reports on the ODF in further detail will be Academies 2020, co-presented by the covered in this issue. Sadly I had to cancel Hong Kong Dance Alliance and the Hong my participation in the festival at the very Kong Academy for Performing Arts, with last minute due to unforeseen events in generous support from the Hong Kong Arts Hong Kong, yet the vibrant spirit of ODF Development Council – will be postponed resonates with the goals and missions of to June 2021. Despite the unfortunate the whole organization. However, Hong circumstances, I truly hope our members Kong was represented by two emerging continue to dedicate their support to choreographers: Pak Wei Ming, Ho Ming WDAAP, which plays a crucial role in Yan, and their dancers. I am glad that both promoting and developing dance within the

Former WDAAP President of them presented their works at ODF and region and beyond. Yunyu Wang and current helped the Hong Kong troupe to remain WDAAP President Urmimala Sarkar, attending the Ocean Dance Festival in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, in November 2019.

2 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 3 Secretary General's report Many of the other Partner Organizations were from the field of theater in different by Yunyu Wang and Hong Jo Jun forms, such as drama performance, education, and outreach to the community International Theatre Institute ITI including youth prisons and less Partner Organization Meeting in advantaged children. WDA was the only Shanghai dance organization among the 15 other 18-20 November, 2019 organizations which presented. On the second day, ITI arranged a one-day The International Theatre Institute Partner tour for participants to visit local theaters, Organization Meeting was held in Shanghai art centers, and traditional Chinese opera from 18 to 20 November 2019 with the institutions such as Shanghai Traditional South Asia Shanghai Theatre Academy, the main Theater Academy. They were able to see Bangladesh partner and trustee of ITI in China. This first-hand training systems on site and had meeting was meant to spearhead better the chance to meet master teachers in a India South Asia report sea-side resort. Given this situation, we were communication, exchange and collaboration classroom setting, ending with an evening of Nepal ultimately not granted permission to stage on the different areas of performing arts. The acrobatic performance at a local theater in by Vice President Lubna Marium the WDA event on the beach. Fortunately, goal of the Partner Organizations meeting the center of Shanghai city. we discovered the amphitheatre at Cox’s was to galvanize and strengthen the ties The third day of the meeting ran from 9:00 Behind the Scenes of Nrityajog's Event Carnival which we revamped to suit our own between each partner organizations and am to 11:30 am. Although the third day's in Cox's Bazar purpose. Next, there were several issues find new grounds for joint strategies and meeting was relatively shorter, it concluded connected to transportation within Cox’s collaboration though gathering, exchange, with the wrapping up of suggestions, Now that the Ocean Dance Festival is over Bazar. While on a recce trip we discovered and the refreshing of working relations. This partnerships and business to be pursued and done with, we can heave a sigh of the ‘Chander Gari’, open-hooded vans which is the second time for ITI to host a partner in future meetings. Mr. Tobias Biancone, relief and opine that this has been a fulfilling transport 16 people at a time. These met all organization meeting. The first meeting was the General Secretary of ITI, concluded the and eventful year at WDA-Bangladesh. of our needs. held in 2010. meeting with the following suggestions: However, the honest truth is that it’s been Funding was another major problem. The World Dance Alliance Secretary ƒƒAll Partner Organizations are allowed to like a see-saw all year round. We kept As this was the first dance event of such General, Professor Dr. Mohd Anis Md use the official ITI-UNESCO logo but saying to ourselves, “We can do it!” and magnitude ever to be staged in Bangladesh, Nor, was invited to attend this meeting to not the single UNESCO logo. Partner the next minute, “No, it’s impossible.” So, there was a general attitude of disbelief that represent WDA. A similar invitation was Organizations may use the ITI-UNESCO what actually happened? But before going it could be done! Fortunately, the media accorded to Prof. Hong Jo Jun, former logo for their sponsored events. into the nitty-gritty, we must acknowledge – both electronic and print – became our WDAAP-Korea chapter head and former ƒƒPartner Organizations may fill up a form at that, overwhelmingly, we learnt that dancers staunch allies. Year round they helped us WDAAP VP for East Asia, in her capacity as the ITI office to share or announce events are not just physically but mentally resilient publicize the event with a flurry of publicity the Vice President of ITI Dance Committee with other Partner Organizations. too. Just when we, the senior members around the time of the inauguration. and a WDA representative. However, due to ƒƒPartner Organization meetings should of the Executive Committee of WDA-BD, Ultimately, WDA-Bangladesh was able to health issues Professor Anis Nor was unable be held every year. Some cities were got drained by running around in circles get the consent of our Minister of Cultural to attend this meeting. He asked Professor mentioned for the next meeting in 2020. in the corridors of the various Ministries of Affairs to inaugurate the event. He was Yunyu Wang, a member of the WDA Global Paris was the number one choice but the Government of Bangladesh, the young pleasantly surprised to witness the scale and Executive Board, to represent WDA and the existing events/festivals/conferences in dancers would cheer us on to no end by grandeur of the event. All our efforts became Secretary General. other cities could be a good choice as their enthusiasm, vigour and ideas galore. worthwhile as soon as the Honorable On the first day of this meeting, each well. Professor Yunyu Wang proposed The first obstacle was the omnipresent Minister announced solidarity with the organization presented the best of their the Shanghai Theater Academy, with its Rohingya refugee issue which has shrouded Ocean Dance Festival and assured us of the works. Professor Yunyu Wang presented a beautiful International Dance Center, as all other facets of Cox’s Bazar. Security Government’s support for all future dance power-point presentation on WDA, sharing the meeting site for 2020, should it be issues have prompted the Government of endeavours of ‘Nrityajog’ – the Bangladesh information with other partner members from held again in Asia next year. Bangladesh to put on hold all projects in the Chapter of WDA-AP. Perseverance pays! Europe, USA, Canada and the Asia Pacific. L-R: Anisul Islam Hero, president of Nrityajog, Laila Hasan, Nrityajog executive committee, the Minister of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, K.M. Khalid, and Lubna The signing ceremony Mohd. Anis Md. Nor Marium, Vice President for the memorandum of (WDA Secretary General), of WDAAP for South understanding between Tobias Biancone (Director Asia, at the opening World Dance Alliance and General, ITI) and Hong Jo night's performance of the International Theatre Jun (WDA representative Ocean Dance Festival, Institute, in Shanghai, to the International Cox's Carnival, Cox's on 15 January 2018. L-R: Dance Committee of ITI Bazar, Bangladesh, on 22 Chen Zhongwen (Deputy & Vice President of the November 2019. Photo: Director General, ITI), IDC-ITI). Rajib Halder.

4 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 5 Brian Jones and Nerida Cortese, performing for Project Bula Mai-Style Fiji, on 30 November 2019.

some traditional, but all are committed. Shortly after Style Fiji, MATA Dance would be holding auditions for Pacific places in the company ready for 2020. Aotearoa New Zealand One of the main challenges for the Australia Pacific report group, like many Papua New Guinea Denarau Island, Fiji. This high profile event, others, is the limited by Brian Jones, edited by Vice established in 2011, raises funds in cash amount of resource President Sheryl Lowe and in kind to help support health services available to them, and provide sustainable medical, dental and and the isolation. Dancing for Rural Health: Project Bula infrastructure support for rural South Pacific The opportunity to Mai-Style Fiji communities. workshop and learn Brian Jones, New Zealand choreographer, This year the theme for the event was 'A from other dancers dance educator, performer, producer and Night in Venice'. Nerida Cortese and I had and to develop their commercial dance exponent, shares an the opportunity to perform along with local skills is something inside glimpse of his recent participation in dance crew MATA Dance, a talented young they are keen to do. Style Fiji held in November 2019 in Suva. company based in Suva. Tevita Tobeyaweni This celebrated annual charitable event, now MATA Dance Group, led by wished that we could in its ninth year, employs fashion, dance choreographer/director Tevita Tobeyaweni, have stayed longer to and entertainment to meet its serious aim had competed in August at the World Hip do a workshop with of raising funds to support the provision Hop Dance Championships in the United them, as opportunities of basic healthcare services for rural States after qualifying at the international to work with other communities in the South Pacific. Brian’s hip hop competition held in New Zealand professionals are dance partner for the event was fellow Kiwi earlier, where they took out the Pacific title. limited. choreographer, producer and performer The company was formed out of a desire to take on what hip hop means to young Fijians Watching MATA Dance perform and Nerida Cortese. expose their hip hop dance culture to Fiji and - including through routines that incorporate reviewing some of the other work they have to the world. Meeting the dancers backstage traditional and cultural dance techniques. done, it is clear that dance is alive and Style Fiji presented its ninth year of and watching them perform, the standing of The challenge for Nerida and me was to growing in Fiji. The company is not just a fashion, dance and entertainment on 30 the group was obvious as a strongly talented make our style of dance for the night - mainly hip hop crew, but have also developed a November 2019 at the Sofitel Fiji Resort on and enthusiastic crew presenting a unique ballroom and Latin American - work on a forty-five minute work looking at life in their carpeted catwalk which was vastly different community. Sisi, which they performed at to the competition or television studio the Suva Playhouse, deals with the realities dance floors we were used to performing of a person’s life on the streets, issues of on whether either competing or on Dancing depression, violence and sexual abuse. With the Stars. Also, this event was the While in the country, we also had the first time that we had danced together as a opportunity to experience some traditional couple! Fijian dance performances and to see fire Guests arrived masked and glamour was dancers at the resort. One memorable abundant. Keeping with the theme for the moment we caught while relaxing and event, our first routine was a Viennese waltz, listening to a trio play, was when they masked and with the swirl of the ballroom sang a couple of traditional/local songs. A gown. As the show alternated between woman and a man stood up to dance with fashion, music and dance, we followed with each other. The elegance of the traditional a contrasting Latin routine to Havana. Our movement, the connection to each other and third routine was a lyrical piece, with our final commitment to the music was beautiful and dance being a tango. inspiring to watch. There is something very Speaking with Tevita from MATA Dance it special about the movement that develops MATA Dance Fiji, is clear that the company is a highly focused, with or within a culture. This social dance is performing for Project Bula Mai-Style Fiji, on 30 organized group. The dancers come from a very different from what I teach, but with a November 2019. variety of dance backgrounds, some formal, structure and formality unique to its form.

6 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 7 the inside." In November this year, the German choreographer Isabelle Schad returned to South East Asia Malaysia to restage her work INSIDE OUT, using some of the same dancers she had Malaysia met as facilitator of the Southeast Asian Philippines Choreolab at Rimbun Dahan in 2018. The Indonesia South East Asia report SEA Choreolab is a chance for emerging contemporary dance choreographers Singapore by Vice President Bilqis Hijjas The Southeast Asian from the region to meet each other. It dancers participating Thailand In the studio at Rimbun Dahan, all is quiet. A is also an opportunity to work with an in the Kuala Lumpur row of dancers sits watching as a duet established choreographer, and to form production of INSIDE OUT, excited to be unfolds in the space before them. A woman networks that can lead to future projects returning to the studio is upside down, suspended from her and collaborations. This year's INSIDE OUT at Rimbun Dahan after partner's upright legs, as he lies with his project, produced in partnership by Goethe- lunch. Photo: Bilqis Hijjas back on the floor. Slowly, they move through Institut and Rimbun Dahan, is one such small repetitive motions, clasping each other, exciting outcome from the SEA Choreolab. and her assistant, dancer Claudia Tomasi, their appreciation for the delicate quality shifting and rotating. As you approach, Isabelle prefers to work with dancers at Rimbun Dahan in November this year, the of the movement, the sensual effect of the you realise there is a soundtrack to this she has worked with before, to continue production moved to the White Box gallery intertwined sculptures, and the drama that performance: a small blonde woman sitting to deepen the relationship and the space in Publika Shopping Centre, in Kuala developed during the work, despite its among the dancers carries on a ceaseless understanding of her intention. The eight Lumpur, where they were joined by another abstract focus on sculptural form. patter, almost too soft to be heard. "Josh, Southeast Asian dancers selected to dancer from Europe as well as Isabelle's If all goes well, in 2020 this project will you can play with the shirt a bit... Release participate in this project are Nicole Primero lighting designer and sound designer. continue with the generous support of the hair... Here you can choose to realise the (PHIL), Dingdong Selga (PHIL), Jereh Leung After 3 days of adapting the work to Goethe-Institut, touring to four cities in skin on the back... Now rewind a little... Keep (SIN), Lau Beh Chin (MSIA), Josh Marcy the space, in which it is viewed like a Southeast Asia: Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi in your consciousness the intention..." As the (INDO), Noutnapha Soydala (LAO), Nguyen performative exhibition, with the dancers Minh City and Manila. In this way, some of duet ends, she turns to the dancers around Thanh Chung (VIET) and Vidura Amranand arrayed around the space in modules— the participating dancers will get a chance to her. "So you see how it is, if you see it from (THAI). some large group section, some duets— show INSIDE OUT to their home crowds. the outside, it is easier to understand it from After a 6-day rehearsal period with Isabelle like sculptures to be viewed from many The November 2019 production, as well perspectives, the project culminated as the future tour, will serve to strengthen with 3 nights of performance from 15 the bonds that the Southeast Asian dancers to 17 November 2019. A large number have with each other, paving the way for of dance students from Malaysian greater interactions across the region in universities attended, perhaps attracted future. These bonds were built through hours by Isabelle Schad's reputation as the spent eating, talking and joking with each winner of this year's German Dance Prize other while living together in close quarters for outstanding artistic developments in at Rimbun Dahan, as well as through many contemporary dance. The crowds were hours of quiet focus and intense physical warm and enthusiastic, with many voicing work in the dance studio.

Josh Marcy (Indonesia) and Noutnapha Soydala Morning warmup led by (Laos) performing in choreographer Isabelle INSIDE OUT by Isabelle Schad, during rehearsals Schad, 15-17 November for INSIDE OUT in 2019 at White Box, November 2019, in the Publika, Kuala Lumpur. studio at Rimbun Dahan. Photo: Joie Koo Photo: Bilqis Hijjas

8 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 9 Network reports The World Dance Alliance works through four Networks, based on specific areas of interest and embracing the mandate of the organisation. Each network has a chairperson and co-chair who coordinate activities to advance the issues raised by these special interest groups. Network Chairs initiate and drive the work of special interest groups within the WDAAP and provide two reports annually on their activities for Asia–Pacific Channels.

About the networks

The Education and Training Network provides a forum for professional exchange to improve dance curriculum content and delivery, and opportunities for sharing information and resources.

The Research and Documentation Network supports and initiates projects that engage contemporary insights into dance as a vibrant part of diverse scholarly and artistic conversations. The network regularly publishes journals, books and conference proceedings and encourages members to participate in writing, editing and reviewing for these publications. It also encourages publications in differing formats and languages whilst maintaining English as the lingua franca for communication. Individual projects proposed by members addressing the heritage and future of dance, to include ideas for implementation, are encouraged and supported through this network.

The Support and Development Network focuses on dance- based activities in terms of management, promotion, distribution, advocacy, policy and funding, through members who practice in these areas. It equally encompasses members who are concerned with the social and physical well being of dance such as health professionals, somatic practitioners, community facilitators and legal advisors. In all these aspects communication Ananya Chatterjea, performing in her work networks—professional and social—are an important driver for 'In Frame', by Ananya dance sustainability. Dance Theatre (USA), in the Ocean Dance Festival, The Creation and Presentation Network provides opportunities at Cox's Carnival, Cox's for choreographic development, presentation, networking and Bazar, Bangladesh, on 22 November 2019. cultural exchange. It includes choreographers, dancers, designers, Photo: Asif Muhammad composers, filmmakers and other collaborators. Musaddeque

10 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 11 A new editing model for JEDS productive relationship and a model that Research & I hope to see for future JEDS issues, as Documentation This issue also marks the beginning By Anja Ali-Haapala and Sarah it offers the guest editors opportunities of a new editing model for JEDS, where Knox to support and be supported through the Network report emerging scholars (Sarah Knox and Anja process. by A. P. Rajaram & Stephanie Ali-Haapala) have guest edited under Behind the scenes of the upcoming issue of Burridge, co-chairs the guidance of JEDS Editor Urmimala the Journal of Emerging Dance Scholarship Sarah Knox (Lecturer and PhD Candidate in Sarkar Munsi. The editor is now calling for (JEDS), we have been experimenting with Dance Studies, The University of Auckland): The Research and Documentation network submissions to JEDS Vol. 8 (see Call for a new editing model. Since its first issue in team had an active role in organising the Paper Submissions at the end of this edition 2013, JEDS has supported emerging dance I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Ocean Dance Festival, Bangladesh 2019. of Channels). scholars (ourselves included) through the offered by Urmimala Sarkar to be a guest Once the papers had been received from The JEDS website has also taken on peer-reviewed publishing process. This new co-editor for JEDS 2019. The opportunity the Bangladesh team, all the abstracts were a new look, as the website has been editing model has taken an additional step has aligned well with our aims for the Early arranged and sent to different individuals for re-worked with great effort to follow by providing opportunities for emerging Career Researchers’ Community: providing a double-blind peer review. The reviewed international academic standards. scholars to also gain editing experience. As support for ECRs by ECRs. It has been abstracts went through a rigorous selection we come to the end of our posts as the first a privilege to be trusted by Urmimala and process and finally about sixty scholars R & D is also happy to inform the WDAAP guest editors, we reflect on the experience by our authors and reviewers, even when were selected to be part of the conference. network that Routledge India have asked and value of stepping into the editor’s we were learning in the moment. Through Even though there was a worldwide warning Dr. Stephanie Burridge to edit a reader/ shoes… the process of liaising with authors and against travelling to Bangladesh, there was anthology on dance in Asia and the Pacific, reviewers I have been able to expand my a considerable amount of people at the proposed to be published at the end of Anja Ali-Haapala (Independent researcher professional network, and gain valuable conference. It was observed that a number 2020. This book will also be largely based and PhD graduate of Queensland University insight into common questions, challenges of young research scholars were present at on selected chapters from existing books of Technology): and approaches to scholarly publishing. I the conference from USA, Finland, Taiwan in the 'Celebrating Dance in Asia and the am thankful for the sturdiness and aplomb and a large number of scholars from India. Pacific' series and has support from the As an independent researcher trying with which Anja has continued working while The topics of the abstracts included subjects series co-editors. to navigate post-PhD life, guest editing I have been on parental leave during the such as ethnography, choreology, pedagogy The new text will be independent of the JEDS has been a fantastically educational middle of the process. We have implemented and history. series and a comprehensive resource on and supportive experience for me. This several new logistical processes to support The Research and Documentation dance in our region. Dr. Burridge has used has been my first opportunity to work with the efficiency of JEDS communication and Network is happy to announce upcoming this as an opportunity to include chapters on other people’s scholarship; to pick up a timeline, and hope to pass these on to the publications. The 2019 issue of the Journal countries not in the original series, where we manuscript, digest it with a feedback lens next guest editors. I encourage other ECRs of Emerging Dance Scholarship (JEDS) is are pleased to announce the confirmation and provide writing support. I’ve been to express their interest in the guest editing in the process of getting digitally published of chapters on Australia, India, Cambodia, terrified by the responsibility, excited by role; it is rewarding and stimulating. soon. JEDS is one of the most important Malaysia, the Pacific, Taiwan and Singapore, the progress I’ve seen in the manuscripts publications that really benefit young along with new chapters from Thailand, the and surprised by my love of copy editing! Big thanks to Urmimala Sarkar for her scholars and we would like to see it continue Philippines and Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Additionally, it's been insightful to see assistance and we acknowledge Linda as a worthy journal in emerging dance Another exciting development for R&D is how established academics conduct peer Caldwell who was part of many of our JEDS scholarship. JEDS Vol. 7 is expected to be an upcoming proposal for another book in review. I didn’t learn this skill while I was a journeys leading up to here. Thank you to uploaded in January 2020. JEDS Vol. 7 will the 'Celebrating Dance in Asia and Pacific' PhD candidate, so the exposure to this type our peer reviewers and congratulations present a variety of topics from emerging series. This book was proposed on Thailand of writing has been valuable professional to our authors! For information about scholars in Australia, New Zealand and the by Associate Professor Pornrat Damhrung of development. Collaborating with Sarah, submissions for JEDS 2020, please email USA: Chulalongkorn University, and Dr. Burridge is under Urmimala's guidance, has been a [email protected] ƒƒPrimary school pre-service teachers’ also working with Dr. Pornrat on the proposal perceptions of dance; for Routledge India. ƒƒAlexander Technique as an approach to In the next edition of Channels, R & D will collaborative dance making; be providing a full report of the outcomes of ƒƒThe dancer’s creativity during tasking our activities at the Ocean Dance Festival ƒƒFacilitating dance in prison environments; 2019, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. ƒƒThe portrayal of sex work, butch women and sexual assault in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon.

A masterclass at the TARI '19 Festival at ASWARA, the National Academy of Arts and Heritage, Malaysia, in November 2019. For more details, see the Malaysia report in this edition of Channels.

12 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 13 Education & Training ƒƒLack of website presence and updating Frankfurt Declaration people to develop attitudes, skills, perspectives Network report of information. for Arts Education and knowledge to make informed decisions ƒƒCurrent regional and membership and act upon them for the benefit of themselves by Ralph Buck & Jeff Meiners, structures are cumbersome and difficult The World Alliance for Arts Education WAAE – and others, now and in the future” with a view co-chairs to maintain. IDEA, InSEA, ISME, WDA - and all their member- to helping “the citizens of the world to learn ƒƒLack of financial support from WDA associations and partners in the world, demand their way to a more sustainable future” as an This WDA AP report outlines key persons Executive to ‘kick-start’ conference transformative action for arts education as being important aspect of culture and cultural diversity, within the network, key actions, current planning. integral to sustaining communities and meeting empowered by cultural and arts education. challenges and ideas for the future, including the needs of all people in the face of critical a brief report on the recent World Alliance Ideas for the Future: global challenges. WAAE and its national associations’ for Arts Education conference in Frankfurt. ƒƒMentor Sarah Knox into the co-chair role. 180 experts from 47 countries found in this networks in countries around the world calls ƒƒSupport Sarah in finding a co-chair. International Conference, Oct. 2019, with reports upon: Key Persons: ƒƒReconsider the WDA structure from all countries: The realization of UNESCO’s 1. All education leaders, policy leaders and Current co-chairs Ralph Buck (NZ) and Jeff organized around three regions and “Seoul Agenda” needs urgent comprehensive civil society to acknowledge that the arts, in their Meiners (Australia) are stepping down from national representation. It may be more activities! We assert the rights for all in formal, diversity, and arts educators play a critical role in WDAAP Education & Training leadership effective to have one WDA (Global) informal and non-formal education, to an enriching fostering and transforming humanity, positions. and one WDA Education and Training and humanising education in, with and about the 2. UNESCO, leaders in civil society and policy One 2020 co-chair of WDAAP Education Network (Global). For discussion. arts – dance, drama, music and visual arts in all leaders to recognise and resource arts education & Training Network will be Sarah Knox (NZ). ƒƒReview membership structures to better their diverse forms. as a vital pillar for fostering and nurturing a culture Another co-chair is sought. accommodate individual membership UNESCO stated in 2010: “The Seoul of sustainability in society, Key Asia Pacific network members include: and institutional membership. Agenda calls upon UNESCO Member States, where arts educators work with young people ƒƒRalph Buck (NZ) [email protected] ƒƒConsider KACES Teaching Artist civil society, professional organizations and in order to develop artistic practices and 21 ƒƒJeff Meiners (AUS) [email protected] Conference in Seoul 17-18 September communities to recognise its governing goals, C competencies that bring about sustainable ƒƒSarah Knox (NZ) [email protected] 2020 as an event to work around for the to employ the proposed strategies, and to development as outlined within the UNESCO ƒƒJoelle Jacinto (Phil) [email protected] WDA Global event in 2020 (Given HK implement the action items in a concerted Sustainable Development Goals, ƒƒJulie Dyson (AUS) julie.dyson@home. unavailability) effort to realise the full potential of high-quality 3. Arts educators and other educators to form netspeed.com.au arts education to positively renew educational collaborative partnerships with governments, ƒƒStella Lau (HK) [email protected] World Alliance for Arts Education systems, to achieve crucial social and cultural civil society, professional organizations and ƒƒAlfdaniels Mabingo (Uganda) amm1014@ conference, Frankfurt 28-31 October objectives, and ultimately to benefit children, communities to establish local specific action nyu.edu 2019 youth and life-long learners of all ages” (Preamble plans that contribute to the UNESCO sustainable ƒƒNaomi Faik Simet (PNG) nfaiksimet.ipngs@ The recent WAAE Frankfurt conference Seoul Agenda, UNESCO, 2010). development goals and to understand and gmail.com provided an important opportunity for transform the present ecological collapse and ƒƒStephanie Burridge (SIN) WDA members to meet and liaise with Seoul Agenda Goals: its impacts on the social, cultural, economic [email protected] daCi colleagues with several presentations 1. Ensure that arts education is accessible as and spiritual lives and institutions of all peoples ƒƒPhilip Channells (AUS) philipchannells@ representing dance. Importantly, this a fundamental and sustainable component of a throughout the world. gmail.com conference enabled WDA members to high quality renewal of education – especially The Frankfurt Declaration celebrates the meet representatives from Africa who “comprehensive studies in all arts fields for unprecedented arts performances linked to Activities in 2019 made presentations from Ghana, Kenya, students at all levels of schooling as part of a climate change movements led by children and During 2019 this network has: Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Angola and broad and holistic education” (1.a.(i)) young people throughout the world. It asserts arts ƒƒProvided two reports for Channels. Zimbabwe. A significant component of the 2. Assure that arts education activities and education as a right for all towards the nurturing ƒƒSupported two WAAE Conferences in conference led to the introduction of the programmes are of a high quality in conception of a paradigm of solidarity, cooperation and good Luxor, Egypt and Frankfurt, Germany. Frankfurt Declaration at the Frankfurt City and delivery living, ƒƒLiaised with Dance and the Child Hall See facing page for the text of the 3. Apply arts education principles and practices 4. UNESCO to continue and strengthen the International (daCi ) Executive regarding Declaration to contribute to resolving the social and cultural advocacy and support for the implementation development of an institutional MOU The next WAAE conference will be held challenges facing today’s world. of the Seoul Agenda at local, national and that may support respective activity, in the USA in October 2020, focusing on international forums. research, advocacy and networks. assessment and evaluation matters. Recalling that on December 20, 2002 at its 5. UNESCO to evaluate the progress of Arts ƒƒMet with WDA Americas chair Cristina We were also made aware of the 57th session, the United Nations General Education according to Seoul Agenda in all their Golletti and WDA Europe chair Fiona Organisation for Economic Cooperation Assembly adopted Resolution 57/254, declaring member states. Bannon. and Development (OECD/CERI) report: the United Nations Decade of Education for Fostering Students' Creativity and Critical Sustainable Development (ESD) (2005 – 2014) WAAE challenges UNESCO - to respond Current Challenges: Thinking, with important implications for arts and furthermore the Global Action Programmes directly to this call - to focus on the contribution ƒƒEstablishing consistent and clear education, including dance: (GAP) on ESD adopted at the 37th session of that arts and arts education make to the communication across the regional and The Korean Arts and Cultural Education the General Conference of UNESCO, 2013 achievement of the UN Sustainable Development global networks in order to focus energy Services (KACES) organisation will also be (37/c Resolution 12) providing the roadmap Goals - to urgently bring together decision- and strategic direction. announcing a Teaching Artist conference to in the post 2015 goals leading up to the 2030 makers, teachers, artists and all who advocate for ƒƒLack of members’ consistent be held in Seoul, 17-18 Sep 2020. Sustainable Development Agenda; arts education in a 3rd World Congress on Arts participation in the network and absence Noting the importance of Education for Education to face the challenges of the world of national chapter representation. Sustainable Development which “aims to help today!

14 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 15 Chapter reports Countries or defined geographical areas within a regional centre may become Chapters Chapter members, providing information and coordinating the dance activities within Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, their boundaries. They are important points Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, in regional and global communication and South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, networking. These Chapters propose and Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. implement projects that address not only the general goals of WDA and WDA Asia Countries with representatives but no Pacific, but also the specific needs of the formalised Chapters: East Timor and Papua local dance community. New Guinea.

An open dance class with participants and audience of the Ocean Dance Festival, on stage at Cox's Carnival, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, before the final evening performance on 25 November 2019. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

16 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 17 Aotearoa New Zealand report by Sheryl Lowe

Elliptical Fictions Back of the Bus choreographed by Zahra choreographed by Sacha Killeen-Chance for Copland for Java Dance Footnote New Zealand Theatre. Dance Company.

cultural understanding and international “Another curiosity was how dance New Zealand and Asia Dance In both 2018 and 2019, Breed travelled diplomacy. During this fieldwork, he had audiences in China seemed much less Connections to Macau with Māori and Pasifika dance the opportunity to take part in the Harvest beholden to treating the theatre as a As an active contributor to the broader Asia students to take part in the Macau Festival with the Amis Tribe in Taitung, 'precious' space. I think there is much to Pacific regional community, New Zealand’s International Youth Dance Festival. MANU the most important festival for Taiwan’s be learnt from this. Often people were on economic, social, educational and cultural joined approximately 600 dancers from indigenous tribes. their phones, talking to each other, or eating connections with the dynamically diverse more than 15 countries. For three-quarters “It’s like their Matariki (Māori New Year) dinner while the performance progressed. countries of Asia continue to expand of the group, it was their first time in Asia. equivalent.” This gave him the opportunity Funnily enough, people using phones during rapidly across all sectors. Likewise within For some, their first time outside of New to learn from their cultural dances first hand. the performance had become such an issue the dance sector, practitioners have drawn Zealand. In 2018, MANU presented Le It enabled Breed to find the similarities in Guangzhou that ushers had laser lights on experiential and other opportunities to Vā, choreographed by Breed, and Teufatu, between indigenous Taiwan and the Pacific to pinpoint 'offenders' during the show. One deepen artistic and professional connections choreographed by Toa Paranihi and Connor - a special moment for Breed who learned performance I attended was awash with red with their Asian counterparts. This has Masseurs. In 2019, MANU performed works of the ancestral link the Pacific has to laser lines carving through the auditorium, it helped New Zealand dance artists to forge choreographed by Māori contemporary indigenous Taiwanese. became a performative element equal to the new cross cultural pathways; to create dance artists, Bianca Hyslop and Eddie In October, Breed was awarded the ‘25 live action occurring on stage.” work that reflects and resonates with an Elliott. to watch’ by Asia NZ Foundation for his In February 2020, Foster-Sproull is increasingly multicultural New Zealand that Breed says Le Vā “was based on the contribution to Asia-NZ relations through heading to Beijing, Xi'an, Yangon, and incorporates more Asian New Zealanders; significance of the Pacific Ocean and its the arts and a young leader to watch in the Singapore with the University of Auckland and to share New Zealand art and use for cultural exchange, discovery and ever-growing partnership and relationship Dance Studies students for a performance perspectives with overseas Asian audiences. journey for Pacific ancestors.” This work between Asia and Aotearoa. and teaching tour. She is looking forward New Zealand artists and companies attracted considerable audience interest. Footnote New Zealand Dance recently to learning more about dance making, that have presented work in Asia recently “It was something very new ... for a lot of presented Hemispheres, an international pedagogy, and life in Asia. include; Black Grace, Java Dance Theatre, them it was their first exposure to Pacific collaboration with Guangdong Modern Dancer and choreographer Zahra Killeen- Atamira Dance Company, The New Zealand culture and Pacific energy…there were a Dance Company. This work featured Mass Chance spent three months on an Asia Dance Company, Footnote New Zealand lot of people who came up to the group Solitude, choreographed by Sarah Foster- New Zealand Foundation residency at Taipei Dance and Royal New Zealand Ballet. We after and congratulated them and wanted to Sproull. Artist Village where she collaborated with profile a few of these below. collaborate or look into New Zealand dance.” For Foster-Sproull, having opportunities local artists and developed her solo project Xavier Breed, a 23-year-old dance artist “Dance and the arts, in general, can be a to make and tour work in Asia has expanded Elliptical Fiction. from Auckland (Tamaki Makaurau) directs great connector of people”, Breed says. It her perceptions of what is possible within Among the local influences Killeen- MANU Collective, which brings together provides platforms for collaboration, healing, her choreographic practice. “Without doubt, Chance absorbed and integrated into her Māori and Pasifika dance students from cultural understanding and understanding making work in China has been one of my work, was the Tai Chi Chen sessions she across New Zealand. Breed founded the of ones’ own identity. It doesn’t matter what biggest practical learning experiences. I was regularly attended. The movements of this group in 2017 as a place for collaboration language you speak, it transcends that told before I started that the language barrier ancient Chinese martial art helped her to and networking, allowing its members communication barrier.” would be challenging, but I didn't find that to break further from the conventions of her to navigate their cultural identity through In 2018, Breed returned to Taiwan to be true. What was challenging was the scale contemporary dance and ballet training. contemporary choreography. He wants to undertake his Masters fieldwork. Here he of making choreography in that environment; She was interested in how one could help Kiwi dancers perform on overseas facilitated dance workshops and researched the theatres in China are at least twice the embody opposing ideas at the same time stages, especially in Asia. how creative processes may empower size of many of ours.” in performance. This martial art form is an

18 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 19 embodiment of these ideas. “Tai Chi Chen is experienced before in a show. In Back of a movement technique and philosophy that the Bus we are only a few centimetres away incorporates the idea of yin and yang, and from our audience. We can look into their explores the interplay of opposing ideas.” eyes and they can look into ours. It was like Upon Killeen-Chance’s return to New we were staring directly into each other's Zealand she was commissioned to souls. We all felt it. We have never felt so choreograph for Footnote New Zealand connected to an audience as we did to this Dance. She expanded her solo to create Chinese audience and it was a surprise. Elliptical Fictions. Footnote toured this work Strangely we felt like they understood us in China as part of their collaboration with and the characters more profoundly than Ausdance members vote to maintain The interim board thanks the outgoing Australia the Guangdong Modern Dance Company. anyone had before. The interaction took on Ausdance National, Australia's dance board for its endeavours in this difficult report Her work was performed alongside works new resonance as the locals followed our advocacy organisation environment of arts funding and support, by Sarah Foster-Sproull and The Spring dancers and musician through the streets of and notes its considerable achievements. by Julie Dyson Tide, choreographed by Taiwanese artist Wu Shanghai. It felt like rebellion and freedom Following the announcement by the National We thank the Ausdance network and its Chien-Wei. and the most collective form of joy.” Council of the Australian Dance Council – members for allowing us this opportunity to Sacha Copland from Java Dance Theatre “This experience has not only transformed Ausdance Incorporated (Ausdance National) renew Ausdance National as an organisation has travelled to Korea and China multiple my understanding of audiences, it has that the organisation would be wound that has supported dance for over four times. Her company is now mildly famous given me an insight into Chinese culture up, an alternative option to maintain the decades. Ausdance WA’s Gabrielle Sullivan in China because their show Back of the and completely smashed through my organisation was proposed to the board by said: "There’s strength in the network that Bus received prime time coverage on their preconceptions about people. This is what members of the Association. The motion was will support Ausdance National and continue biggest TV station. art is for and it works both ways.” accepted by the membership at a Special the long history of collegiality that has “Before we left for China we heard many Through all of these exchanges deep General Meeting on 4 December 2019. existed since 1977." comments about how Chinese audiences connections have been made and these The membership agreed that the incoming We acknowledge that the current health of would be less responsive and stiffer than New Zealand choreographers are continuing Board would: the Australian dance ecology is in crisis and other audiences. These comments were their collaborations further as they expand needs attention, and we will seek to identify way off the mark. Our Chinese audience their networks in Asia. With the reciprocal ƒƒMaintain the Association as a legal entity, and implement new and improved ways of for Back of the Bus at the Xintiandi festival sharing of their dance practices, important and its Register of Cultural Organisations realising our mission to ‘educate, inspire and this year was the most empathetic audience cross cultural links have been established status. support the dance community in reaching I have ever experienced in my life. They which feed into the professionalism of dance ƒƒEstablish a permanent and culturally its potential as a dynamic force within local, looked at us with an openness I have never in the Asia Pacific region. diverse Executive and Board at the next national and international communities’. Annual General Meeting, and provide The following interim board members were ongoing board mentoring. elected: ƒƒEstablish a viable future for the Association with the support and President: Paul Summers (Vic) cooperation of the Ausdance network, Vice President: Julie Dyson (ACT) supporting but outsourcing core projects Vice President: Lizzie Vilmanis (Qld) such as the Australian Dance Awards and Treasurer: Tamara McKee (ACT) the National Dance Forum. Director: Cathy Adamek (SA) ƒƒEnsure the financial security of the Director: Sebastien Ananian-Cooper (SA) Association in support of its limited activities and identify any future Paul is an Honorary Life Member of the opportunities for financial support. Association with decades of experience as ƒƒBuild on Ausdance National’s advocacy an arts administrator and as a former office role and its networking capabilities in bearer for national and state Ausdances. collaboration with the Ausdance network, He is especially well known in the small to and with professional artists, companies, medium and independent dance sector, and Mass Solitude education and research communities. is looking forward to once again serving the Choreographed by ƒƒMaintain the Association’s unique website Australian dance communitiy in his capacity Sarah Foster–Sproull as an information, publishing and research as interim National President. for Footnote NZ and platform. Guangdong Modern Dance Company, China. ƒƒContinue to administer the Keith Bain and Please direct any media inquiries to: Photo: Eden Mulholland Peggy van Praagh bequests. Paul Summers M. 0417925292, E. [email protected]

20 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 21 Bangladesh 1 concluding with the mega-production Bandi day. Also, members of the WDAAP report Bandar Golpo, based on the Arabian Nights Executive Board were all provided gratis tale of Ali Baba. Open dance classes were accommodation during the conference. by Anisul Islam conducted on three evenings for the daily All Bangladeshi participants were Hero audience of 2000, which were very well registered gratis, provided free local received, enjoyed and participated by all. hospitality and gratis transportation The evening performances were from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar and back. All inaugurated by the Honorable State registered participants were also provided Minister of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs a tote-bag with an ODF T-Shirt, lanyard, of the Government of Bangladesh. Special note-book, pen and printed program flow. guests were the Director General of In recognition of the enormous efforts of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the Nrityajog, WDAAP Executive Board kindly District Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar. The exempted WDA-BD from payment of the Choreolab participants made a presentation yearly membership fees for 2019. A demonstration by on the inaugural day of the Festival. As a fun component of ODF, there Sherebul Islam, a folk Most importantly, the WDAAP AGM and was yoga on the beach for early-morning performer from Kushtia, Bangladesh, of the genre Starting from August 2018, just after the residency, in Cox’s Bazar, mentored by network meetings were conducted on 23 enthusiasts, besides a galore of impromptu Padma’r Naachon, at 2018 WDA event in Adelaide, Nrityajog, Sashar Zarif, a Canadian-Iranian dancer. November 2019. Unfortunately, two very dance photography on the beach which Ocean Dance Festival on the Bangladesh Chapter of WDA-AP, has Proposals were accepted for important absences were that of Julie Dyson truly lightened the heart. We are seriously 24 November 2019. been fully occupied with preparations for performances and scholarly presentations. (Secretary) and Stella Lau (Vice-President). contemplating an ODF Dance Photography hosting the WDAAP yearly event in Cox’s Urmimala Sarkar, Yunyu Wang and Joseph Another disappointment was the absence of competition! Very importantly, young dancers Bazar, a scenic resort on the Bay of Bengal. Victor Gonzales kindly reviewed the representation from WDA-Nepal. from various places connected with each One of the first tasks was the formation proposals and confirmed each selection. The entire event was funded partially other. We do hope these bonds become of a 40-member National Committee of A.P. Rajaram (WDA-India), with the support by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and stronger. Bangladeshi dancers to undertake the task. of Anandita Khan (WDA-BD), helped to Bangladesh Tourism Board, and by various All events were recorded for archiving. Next, younger members of Nrityajog took the prepare the schedule of the events. corporate bodies. Furthermore, the event Finally, WDAAP plans a publication of all the initiative to prepare and launch a promotional On each of the four days, 22–25 was implemented by Maatra, a leading event papers and keynote presentations presented audio-visual presentation to urge WDA November 2019, the conference took place management company of Bangladesh. at the conference, to be edited by Urmimala members to register for the upcoming from 9 am to 4:30 pm. This was followed WDA-BD provided gratis facilities to Sarkar and Lubna Marium. 1. Anandita Khan 1. Outdoor performance event. Subsequently, Nrityajog decided by evening performances, first under the all registered participants, which included performing her work for the inagural opening to inaugurate the Ocean Dance Festival banner of WDA-AP, and then as part of the transportation from their hotels to the 'Refugees', Ocean Dance of the Ocean Dance Festival, 22 November (ODF), Bangladesh, at the same time as the inaugural Ocean Dance Festival from 5:30 conference venue, transportation to the 2 Festival. Photo: Khan Md 2019, at Cox's Carnival, Nazrul Islam. WDAAP event. ODF Bangladesh is planned pm to 10:30 pm. venue of evening performances and airport Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. 2. Nrityajog president as a bi-yearly event. Following this, Nrityajog The heart-warming inaugural program pick up/drop off, a light breakfast each Photo: Asif Muhammad Anisul Islam Hero launched the official website of the Ocean beside the beach included the inaugural day, and a gala dinner on the concluding Musaddeque delivering a welcome Dance Festival in September 2019. Later, speech by Urmimala Sarkar, President 2. Beach photoshoot with speech to assembled Ocean Dance Festival guests at dinner, the the website of Nrityajog too was launched. of WDA-AP, followed by a welcome participants at Mermaid night before the formal It gives us much pleasure to inform speech by Anisul Islam Hero, President 1 Beach Resort, Cox's opening of the Ocean members of WDA that we were able to of Nrityajog, concluding with a festive Bazar, Bangladesh. Dance Festival, at Photo: Hasan Ishtiaque achieve almost all our goals. A total of 77 performance by Bangladeshi drummers Imran. Mermaid Beach Resort, participants from 17 countries registered and dancers. The conference hosted four Cox's Bazar, on 21 3. Tomas Bünger teaching November 2019. Photo: for the event, with the largest numbers keynote presentations which included morning contemporary Ridwan Aidid Rupon from India. 100 dancers from Bangladesh an audio-visual presentation by eminent dance masterclass at registered for the British-Bangladeshi dancer Akram Khan, a Ocean Dance Festival, Mermaid Beach Resort, 2 event and around 20 thoughtful presentation by Urmimala Sarkar, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. guests registered a unique presentation by Bangladeshi folk Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon to participate. dancer Sherebul Islam, concluding with Additionally, 450 Bangladeshi dancer Lubna Marium’s keynote 3 Bangladeshi which gave a glimpse of dance practice in dancers participated Bangladesh through the years. 24 papers in the Ocean were presented at the conference, including Dance Festival. a session in Bangla by the Department of Furthermore, 19 Theatre of the University of Chittagong, participants from and two Pecha Kucha presentations. There India, Bangladesh were three lecture-demonstrations, two and Hong Kong film screenings, seven dance workshops, participated in a and six site-specific performances. A total 15-day choreolab, of two twinning projects were presented. or choreography In total, 49 dance pieces were performed,

22 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 23 Ocean 1 The singing of a lullaby, by oneself, together Dance through the use of humming, gave us all a very different experience, of working with Festival music organically, in a fluid manner. Choreolab Yes, we also had technique: exercises report and structured movements interspersed with improvisation. During the choreolab, by Srabasti we identified personal memories and Ghosh created work through it. Sashar's idea about memory is that it is not the ‘past’, it is actually the ‘present’ and the key for potential transformation. This residency taught us to review our body, mind and emotional memory and gather material from it. We experienced the process of accessing the past and let that reflect on our present movement practices. We were reminded time and Sashar Zarif supervising again that although the final choreographic structured improvisation, ‘Chaand...’ is technique exercises output (the product) is something that intended to provide a ritualistic platform for with the choreolab participants, on the beach becomes important to all dancers – as dancers to search within and without, while at Cox's Bazar. Photo: Dancing a different reality: Reflections as a choreolab participant was a journey they find recognition of their work comes staying accessible to the witnessing souls Lubna Marium on the choreolab through a process of self-exploration and from that product – it is important to also around them. The recent Ocean Dance Festival and World introspection. It was time and space through acknowledge moving, dance making and According to Sashar, “Dance is a destiny Dance Alliance Asia Pacific Annual General which we have also initiated understanding choreography as process. and hence, one has a choice of changing Meeting 2019 began with an international the joy of creating dance together as a We did not start with any particular script the direction. As a performer, one must choreolab that had nineteen selected group, as we grew accustomed to belonging or dramaturgy for the performance piece; be aware of his/ her own intention and dancers from Bangladesh, India and other to the time and space together, slowly it was devised in an organic process. But reason for dancing. This is the way in parts of the Asia Pacific. The participants and painfully. It is also a personal journey the process developed a safe space, a which one can create his/ her own destiny were Sreemoyee Chatterjee, Sneha of identifying the self-absorption that is space of trust became the basic element of in choreography.” Through the choreolab Anandan, Tanushree Chatterjee, Sukanya often a result of dancing and training as performance making. The space created a with Sashar Zarif, we have been facilitated Das, Arunima Dutta, Pritha De, Durga a solo dancer. Thus, choreolab was also community feeling within us, which became to find our own intention, to introspect Madhar, Jhuma Das, Sandhya Karmakar, a therapeutic journey, not bound by just the base of our performance. together and within ourselves for creation Sumedha Bhattacharyya, Srabasti Ghosh, dance or movement techniques. This At the end of the choreolab we performed of ideas and movements. The journey of Brishti Bepari, Kanika Baidya, Maria Fatema process focused on releasing emotions, and ‘Chaand... The Reflection of a Wish.’ this choreolab has initiated a process of Upama, Shovan Das, Farhad Ahmed channelizing that release through the body. With Sashar facilitating the journey with engaging deeply with mind as well as body, Shameem, Eashin Arafat, Hasan Ishteaque Our mentor, Sashar Zarif, is an his philosophical and critical inputs and within the nineteen of us, that we shall Imran and Wei Ming Pak. internationally known choreographer from mentoring, we, together, devised the hopefully explore through our next works, From 6 to 21 November 2019, the Canada, of Iranian origin. His choreographic intention and shape of our performance. and the choices of life we are going to take. Choreolab took place at Cox’s Bazar, works and writings reflect his own journey 'Chaand…' is a collective inquiry into The memory, we are going to cherish forever. Bangladesh, facilitated by Sashar Zarif. as a person in exile, and an understanding of the body, emotions and mind, through The memory, which will work as a key of the Sashar started the choreolab with a question displacement and celebration of the multiple movements, sounds and stories. As transformations we look for. around how we see ourselves and our realities of his experience through the dance. The next fifteen days were filled with shifting sands of socio-political conditions, hard work, laughter and a process of finding identities and creating dance through it. and re-negotiating our individual and group His repeated reminder to us was that the identities. We stayed, ate, chatted, but performers' body is a real space, and that principally danced/worked ten hours per day. dance needs to be real as well, in real time On the seashore and space. For many of us, dancing with and in Cox’s Bazar, in elements such as the sandy beach, the the nineteen of us sea, the wind blowing through our hair, and started a journey the sun, was overwhelming in its newness together to find a – creating an experience that we shall go 'Chaand... The Reflection 1. Participants of the new methodology of back to time and again through our lives in of a Wish,' the Ocean Dance Festival performance making different parts of the world. culminating performance choreolab, on the beach and understanding We worked on the concept of the lullaby, by the choreolab at Cox's Bazar. Photo: of the self and the as an immediate affective tool, through participants, on 22 Sashar Zarif surroundings. which memory became instantly available November 2019, at Cox's 2. Choreolab facilitator Carnival, Cox's Bazar, Sashar Zarif, in front of 2 As I think back and accessible in different shapes, forms Bangladesh. Photo: Ridwan the festival banner. - my experience and perceptions to each of the dancers. Adid Rupon

24 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 25 Hong Kong report by Sophie Lau

New Force in Motion 2019 series: Infiltrated by Tsang Wing Fai, performed 13-15 September at the Black Box Theatre of Kwai Tsing Theatre. Photo: Carmen So

Despite the challenges arising from the Heritage and Art has received the Award of social instability starting from June this year, Excellence in 2019 UNESCO Asia-Pacific the dance scene in Hong Kong remained Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. vibrant and thriving in the second half of Y-Space’s i-Dance Festival continued to 2019. provide platforms for improvisation dance. Both Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) and City The World Cultures Festival-The Nordics, Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) organized by the Leisure and Cultural celebrated their 40th anniversary this year, Services Department, celebrated its eighth creating a feast of music and dance, and edition featuring artists from Finland, Iceland, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Dance HKB joined with local fashion designers was also a key component during the 3rd to hold the site-specific Fashion x Ballet edition of Jockey Club New Arts Power. It performance campaign WearDance that showcased Daniel Yeung’s Contempo Lion Toilet Pump by Pak inspired each other to greater heights. For Dance and Lai Tak-wai’s So Low. Wei Ming (Hong Kong), the first time, CCDC’s Jumping Frames Hong Kong Dance Alliance (HKDA) performed on 25 International Dance Video Festival 2019 continued to take the lead in nurturing young November 2019 at Ocean Dance Festival, Cox's presented VR dance videos and installation talents. In September, HKDA produced Bazar, Bangladesh. works for viewers. In November, the City the triple bill New Force in Motion 2019 Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon Contemporary Dance Festival 2019 biennale series: Drifting by Joseph Lee, Mo Ngaan was part of the Freespace residency Tai by Terry Tsang and Infiltrated by Tsang program in the West Kowloon Cultural Wing Fai. Emerging choreographers Pak District. The Festival not only presented Wei Ming, Ho Man Yan and local dance outstanding local and international works artists attended the Ocean Dance Festival to the local community, but also introduced (ODF) in Bangladesh in November. The emerging local and Asian dance artists to Hong Kong team performed Toilet Pump the industry from around the globe. by Pak Wei Ming and Mammalistic: What In addition, there were many festivals Make us Human? by Ho Man Yan. Prior to and art programs hosted by different art the Festival, Pak was selected to partake in organizations to promote local dance artists the Dance Residency Choreolab with artists and cultivate international exchange. This from South Asia. The ODF was an excellent fall came the second edition of the Tai opportunity for young artists to engage in Kwun Dance Season. Tai Kwun-Centre for exchange and garner experience abroad.

26 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 27 A dance conversation with India report Sashar Zarif, conducted by Priyanka Basu and by Priyanka with input from choreolab Basu participant Srabasti Ghosh, on 26 Nov 2019 at the Ocean Dance Festival, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo: Urmimala Sarkar.

'Have We Met Before', a The keynote session on Day 3 included a On the final day, Sohini Chakraborty of twinning project between Lithuania & India by conversation and demonstration featuring Kolkata Sanved spoke on the initiatives of Kristina Dolinina & Sherebul Islam, a folk performer from her organisation and offered a glimpse of Shivani Varma, at Cox's Kushtia, Bangladesh. The conversation the process by engaging the audience in a Carnival for the Ocean was led by Priyanka Basu (British Library, movement-related exercise. Her presentation Dance Festival, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo: London), Munjulika Rahman (Williams was coupled with Sabiha Vasi’s presentation Ridwan Adid Rupon. College, USA), and Shamim Hassan on the ‘Relevance of the Therapeutic Use (University of Chittagong, Bangladesh). The of Dance Movement and Visual Art Among session saw Sherebul demonstrating the the Elderly’. Day 4 also included a dance WDA India was delighted to bring a large chaired by Urmimala Sarkar. Among the genre of Padma’r Naachon (dance of the conversation with Prof. Urmimala Sarkar, Dr. contingent of participants to the Ocean evening performances was a collaboration river Padma) through 3 short performances Lubna Marium and Dr. Ananya Chatterjea. Participants from WDA Dance Festival 2019 in Cox’s Bazaar, between Shivani Varma (India) and Kristina encompassing the elements of dance, music The last day of the evening performances India in the scholarly Bangladesh, between 22 and 25 November. Dolinina (Lithuania) entitled ‘Have We Met and enactment. During the Day 3 morning included the performance of the dance gatherings at Ocean Headed by the WDAAP President, Prof. Before’, presenting choreography based sessions, Deepshikha Ghosh from JNU, work ‘Touch the Sound’. by Sumedha Dance Festival, Cox's Urmimala Sarkar, the Indian contingent on the north Indian classical dance style of New Delhi presented her research paper on Bhattacharya from India. The festival ended Bazar, Bangladesh. All photos by Ridwan Adid participated in many of the events at the kathak. ‘Dance Connects: Expressive/ Pedagogic with a dinner reception with the participants Rupon. festival including the scholarly gatherings, Prof. Urmimala Sarkar was the keynote Dance Experiments of/in Santiniketan’ at the Mermaid Beach Resort. 1. Arshiya Sethi speaking dance conversations, keynotes and round- speaker on Day 2. She spoke on the need while Gourab Ghosh (JNU) presented on on Ananya Dance table discussions which took place during for writing on dance, and how practice and the issues of dance in Bengali Jatra in a Theatre. 2 2. Sohini Chakraborty the day, as well as the performances at Cox's research could be brought together. Meghna parallel session. The afternoon session of Kolkata Sanved Carnival in the evenings. Bharadwaj, one of the researchers from included a film screening by Piali Ray on the speaking on using One of the highlights of the Festival was New Delhi, spoke on ‘Mediating Aspiration ‘Abundant Art's Project on the Heritage of dance movement a 15-day Choreolab with 20 participants and Conditions of Marginal Existence in Uday Shankar and Anna Pavlova’. Sarabasti therapy for psychosocial rehabilitation. working with Canada-based Iranian dancer/ 21st Century India: The Growing ‘Hip-Hop Ghosh opened the evening performances 3. Bipasha Guptarow, choreographer, Sashar Zarif. The Choreolab Scene’ Among the Youth of Indian Slums’ at Cox’s Carnival with her choreographed flanked by Urmimala ran prior to the festival and showcased in the morning session on the second day, piece, ‘Unshared Desires’. Sarkar and AP Rajaram, a choreographed piece—Chand—that while Arshiya Sethi presented ‘Bridging speaking on the search for cultural identity of emerged out of the collaboration between the Gap(s): Analysing ‘Shaataranga’ by the migrant Bengali the participants and Sashar, on the first the Ananya Dance Theatre’. The afternoon 1 community. evening of the festival. Indian participants scholarly gathering on Day 2 had two included Masters students from Presidency papers from Indian participants: ‘Classical 3 University, Kolkata, and Srabasti Ghosh, who Dance vis-a-vis Free Thinking’ by Utpal is training in dance therapy and movement at Banerjee and ‘Between the Interstices of Kolkata Sanved. Dance and Theatre: Discourses on the Day 1 of the scholarly gatherings included Performing Arts in India’ by Sharmistha paper presentations by Priyanka Basu, Saha. The scholarly gathering was followed Bipasha Guptaroy and AP Rajaram who by a dance conversation with Sashar Zarif, spoke on ‘Dance and the Promotion of Arts conducted by Priyanka Basu and with in Britain during the Second World War’, input from choreolab participant Srabasti ‘Search for Cultural Identity of a Migrant Ghosh. Zarif spoke about his body of work, Bengali Community’, and ‘Moadi Yeduthu: his experiences in exile and the process he the Lost Dance Drama of the Sadir Tradition followed during the 15-day choreolab in of Viralimalai’ respectively. The session was Cox’s Bazar with the participants.

28 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 29 Indonesia of view discussed report through dance. Thus, the function by Michael HB of discussion after Raditya viewing the work is to stimulate choreographers and dancers to have stronger critical Dr. Sal Murgiyanto powers. leading the discussion after viewing the work of Sabri Gusmail, during Dance 'Bincang Sore', on 8 Researchers September 2019. Speak WDA of Indonesia also works with question and answer time with the students. Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies, at In the closing, Dr. Sal Murgiyanto stated A showing of a work the Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah that this discussion is important to open by Sabri Gusmail, for discussion during Mada, in inviting dance and performance the discussion with scholars from other 'Bincang Sore', on 8 scholars to discuss arts events. On 18 countries in order to obtain knowledge of September 2019. October 2019, Professor Pornrat Damrhung other arts disciplines, from neighbouring from Chulalongkorn University and Khalid regions such as Thailand. Not only that, WDA of Indonesia held a regular meeting to activities, such as has occurred in other Midam from Burapha University were invited this kind of discussion is able to articulate discuss dance in Indonesia. The meeting places in Indonesia. to give a discussion on the performing arts. the position, dimension, and knowledge of entitled “Bincang Sore” [Evening Discussion] In his work, Sabri interpreted these forms Dr. Sal Murgiyanto (the representative of performance in Southeast Asia. was held in the residence of the chairman of rejection into a movement medium. Sabri WDA of Indonesia), Dr. Lono Simatupang of WDA of Indonesia, Sal Murgiyanto. Not showed three male dancers representing (the representative of UGM), and students of Book Publishing only reading phenomena and strengthening individuals loudly expressing their opinions. UGM as well as graduates of ISI Yogyakarta Senrepita and WDA of Indonesia plan to knowledge, Bincang Sore also discussed As the way of expression, Sabri used the also attended the discussion. publish the dissertation of Dr. Sal Murgiyanto a dance work which was presented to the traditional dance of Sudati from Aceh as In the discussion, Professor Pornrat as a book. The dissertation is entitled event. On 8 September 2019, one of the the focus of his observation. The movement discussed the relationship between “Moving Between Unity and Diversity: Four members of WDA Indonesia presented his focused on the sound of the hand tapping performance research and new theatre Indonesian Choreographers” from the artworks in front of the other members. Sabri on the chest and lower abdomen or hip, the ecologies. Meanwhile, Khalid Midam Faculty of the Department of Performance Gusmail, a choreographer from Binjai, has jerk of a leg on the ground, as well as finger discussed how acting performers are related Studies, New York University, in 1991. The completed his study at ISI Padangpanjang, flicking. Those characteristics became the to certain cross-cultures. The presenters English version of the dissertation discusses Indonesia. Sabri is now teaching at Institut source of ideas to create this contemporary gave case studies from their works, to focus four senior Indonesian choreographers: Seni Budaya Indonesia (ISBI) Aceh. dance work. The movement was meant to the discussion. Dr. Sal Murgiyanto also Bagong Kussudiardja, Retno Maruti, Huriah Recently, Sabri created some dance express the critical and brave character, the related the study that he has done on Saman Adam, and Sardono W. Kusumo. The works, including “Filter” in collaboration determined attitude as well as the firm action dance from Gayo. Dr. Lono Simatupang also book that is being translated into Bahasa with Miyoshi Masato, and “Voice Inside”, a which is required in overcoming a problem gave an interesting discussion on arts-based Indonesia will enrich the literature of dance work that was presented in Surakarta a few like this. Not only the mouth, but the body research, practice-led research, and other in Indonesia. Not only that, this book will also months ago. also resounds to tell the truth. relations about research, artistic practice, be an important narration of the history of This work was inspired by a recent event The post-performance discussion was also contextuality, and the selfhood of the artist. dance in Indonesia. occurring around the choreographer, which interesting, about the relationship between This interesting was the rejection by the Aceh community body and tradition, body and current events, matter is important in of a new gold mine in the district of Nagan tradition and current events, and so on. In the the viewing position Raya, Aceh Province. The protest has discussion, the participants also gave critical and the artworks not been resolved. In the beginning of questions and input for Sabri’s consideration of contemporary April 2019, a demonstration of Acehnese to improve the work. The discussion performance. Professor Pornrat students at the Governor’s Office forced after the presentation of a dance work is The discussion Damrhung from the cancellation of gold mining activities. important. It is because the discussion was closed with Chulalongkorn University, The loud protest was done because of participants gave various point of views in Khalid Midam from the negative effect of mining activities that reading the case study, both contextual, Burapha University, Dr. Sal Murgiyanto, and cause ecological disasters, such as creating such as in terms of the ecological disaster Dr. Lono Simatupang enormous holes from the mining activities, and Aceh’s position as a majority Muslim with students of Gadjah erosion and toxic waste dumping which city, and textual, such as the choice of Mada University and ISI affects the sources of living of local people. body movement, the selection of traditional Yogyakarta, at a dance The rejecting voices are forms of expression dance movement, structure, and dramaturgy. researchers' sharing session on 18 October of the locals’ anxiety about the occurrence This process helps choreographers and 2019 at Gadjah Mada of ecological disasters as a result of mining dancers in strengthening certain points University.

30 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 31 Korea report Tanzolymp Asia International Dance Competition by Geung Soo From 27 to 29 July, the 3rd Tanzolymp Asia Kim International Dance Competition (Director: Geung Soo Kim) took place at Chung Ang University Arts Centre in Seoul. Many talented dance students gathered from countries across Asia including Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Mongolia and Korea, showing off their talents on stage and in class, building relationships and networking with foreign students. This year’s competition

Members of the WDA was special as many groups participated and ITI. L-R: Tatjana and performed impressive choreographies Azman, Hong Jo Jun, for which the juries showed exceptional ‘Janggu Festival’, a Chen Zhongwen and interest. One of them particularly stood out also work on their ballet techniques through group performance at her daughter, Tobias as the dancers showcased an interesting mix special master-classes. It offered a unique Tanzolymp Asia, Chung- Biancone, Krima Masour, Ang University – Art Mohamed Saif Al- of ‘All That Jazz’ choreography incorporating and fun learning experience to not only the Center, 28 July 2019. Afkham, Tom Johnson, Korean traditional instruments as props. participating students but also their parents. Photo: Tanzolymp Asia Alberto Garcia, Sujin As the jury team of this year’s competition, Oleksi Bessmertni (CEO of Tanzoylmp Kang, and Geung Soo we had Oleksi Bessmertni (Founder Berlin), Nina Ananiashvili (Artistic director Kim, at Shilla Hotel, Seoul, 29 April 2019. and Director of Tanzolymp Berlin), Nina of the State Ballet of Georgia), and Aeri Photo: Tanzolymp Asia Ananiashvili (former Prima Ballerina of the Kim (Dancer at Berlin State Ballet) joined Bolshoi Ballet and Artistic Director of the as the special guest instructors for ballet International Dance Day 2019 Underground Hole to see and experience State Ballet of Georgia), Professor Ou Lu classes throughout the program. Many WDA Korea (President: Geung Soo Kim) the division between the two nations that (Head of Ballet at Hong Kong School of other workshops such as injury prevention hosted the 2019 International Dance Day persists to this day. Shortly after, Bo-Kyul Performing Arts), Ami Sakachi (Director of and rehabilitation classes led by Professor Festival in Seoul. Many world-renowned Choi performed a piece named ‘Spirit of Mes Amis Ballet School in Japan), Professor Kyung-Tae Kim, stage make-up classes VIP guests attended the festival including Peace’. A discussion forum took place with Chia Hui Chen (Professor of Dance at led by Eun-Hee Kim, Self Natural Posture Mohamed Saif Al-Afkham (President of the theme of ‘Peace & Unity, Dance for Taiwan International Sports), Professor Exercises (SNPE) classes instructed by ITI UNESCO), Tobias Biancone (Director Social Change’, led by Yunyu Wang, Krima Misook Jeon (Professor of Modern Dance at Euhn-Mee Choi, as well as recreational Master Class by Nina General, ITI Worldwide) and Chen Mansour, Alberto Garcia, Liu Qingyi, Tatjana Korea National University of Arts), Professor activities planned by the staff which were all Ananiashvili, a ‘Bolshoi Zhongwen (Deputy Director-General, ITI Azman, YoungSook Baik (Artistic Director Jong-Im Park (Professor of Performance Art new and fun for all students. Star’ and the artistic Worldwide), Alberto Garcia (President of Imjingang Arts Company), and Bogyeul at SongWon University), and Young-Ae Lee Many executive officials of Jeju Provincial director of the State of International Dance Council), Yunyu Choi (Director of Choi Bo Gyeol Chum (Former Artistic Director of Gwangju City government attended the final day’s Ballet of Georgia, at Wang (WDA Global Board Member), Liu Center). All participants contributed to the Dance Company). performance and expressed their deep Tanzolymp Asia. Chung-Ang University Qingyi (Head of Dance Research Centre at discussion of dance’s impact on society and The upcoming final round of Tanzolymp appreciation for the performance by giving Art Center, 28 July 2019. Shanghai Theatre Academy), and Tatjana its growth projections in the future. Some takes place in Berlin, Germany, from 14 to many rounds of applause. Photo: Tanzolymp Asia Azman (ITI Executive Council Member), of them shared their personal testimonies 18 February 2020, at joined by many other artists from across and experiences, for which many have the Russian House of the globe. Krima Masour (the Founder of applauded. Science and Culture. MAAT for Contemporary Art) declared open Later that evening, on the outdoor stage the event alongside Sujin Kang (the Artistic of Shilla Hotel in Seoul, the National Gukak Jeju Summer Ballet Director of Korea National Ballet) who Center performed ‘SSang Chun-Aeng Jeon Intensive Program shared her message as a representative of (Korean Traditional Royal Dance)’, Dong Ha From 5 to 8 August, Korea. Lee performed ‘Guernica Again’, Luda Lee the 1st Jeju Summer A day prior to the Opening Ceremony, A performed ‘Duality’ and the special guest Ballet Intensive Festival of Line Dance took place (hosted company, Focus Dance Company from Program (Director: by The Modern Dance Promotion of Taiwan, performed ‘Freedom’, as celebratory Geung-Soo Kim) Korea) in the heart of downtown Seoul in performances. After the performances, the took place in Jeju Gwanghwamoon Square, shortly followed group moved to Yeong Bin Gwan (a place Island amidst the by a world-class staging of The Sleeping where foreign guests were officially greeted breathtaking beauty Beauty performed by Korea National Ballet during the Chosun Dynasty) to continue of nature. This was at Seoul Arts Center. In the evening, the with the Declaration of Opening and Special a great opportunity Museum of Face hosted Korean Folk Opera Awards Ceremony. The recipients of special for all participating performances as part of their exhibition of awards were Wan-Soon Yook (Modern students to enjoy their various faces of humanity around the world. Dance) and Mae-Ja Kim (Korean Traditional summer break and On 29 April, the day of the festival, the Dance) who had contributed greatly to the group visited the DMZ area and the Third advancement of dance in Korea.

32 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 33 Malaysia evening of six new works featuring 25 21st Century', the festival's free admission report dancers. Some of the works, like January ensured that everyone was welcome Low's 'reclaim_identity', are work-in-progress to engage with the enthusiastic dance by Bilqis Hijjas showings destined for future development energy unleashed. MyDance committee (January is performing her full-length version member Faillul Adam was deeply involved of this work this December). Others were in producing the festival, and many other opportunities for young dancers to perform MyDance committee and members on a professional stage. performed. Another edition of Dancebox takes to the The second notable event was the stage this December, with eight short works performance of Inner Space Dance from including the wheelchair dancers of Beautiful Temple of Fine Arts at Sadler's Wells in Gate Performing Arts Troupe, who appeared November, as part of the Darbar Festival of in our Dancebox Festival earlier this year. Indian classical music and dance in London. We are also delighted to announce Accompanied by female musicians, the all- another edition of Langkah, our online male bharatanatyam ensemble, most of them contemporary dance magazine, with six Malaysians, performed choreography by articles about process and creation by Mavin Khoo. The production received rave 'Coherence' by Chan Kar Malaysian practitioners. This is an ongoing reviews for the athleticism, precision and skill Kah, performed by Megat project by former committee member of the ensemble. Amir and Ker Yee Teng, David Lim, assisted by Leng Poh Gee, and A review in Pulse observed, "Given in Dancebox on 7 July with renewed funding from the National the virtuosity of these dancers, and the 2019 at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Department for Arts and Culture. Check out difference they make to redefining our Photo: James Quah langkah.mydancealliance.org perceptions of and expectations from Two other significant events in the bharatanatyam it seems incredible that this Malaysian dance world took place recently. was their first performance in the U.K." While other regions of the world have been CENDANA's focus for this grant is to The first was the return of the TARI Festival TFA Inner Space Dance is conceptualized suffering arts funding cuts, Malaysia's public help recipient organisations improve their from 15 to 19 October organised by as the performing wing of The Temple of support for the arts is creeping upwards. sustainability. MyDance Alliance already ASWARA, the National Academy for Arts Fine Arts, an international arts organization Much of this is thanks to CENDANA, the has impressive sustainability, with a track and Heritage. Headlined by university founded by Swami Shantanand Saraswathi national Cultural Economy Development record dating back to before 2001, when dance institutions from Malaysia and where art is not so much viewed merely as a Agency. While CENDANA is premised the organisation was formally registered. the surrounding region, the festival also job, but more as something that is an integral upon the economic growth of the creative Our continued capacity to achieve projects showcased new works by independent part of life.Those reviews are a testament to industries, it has succeeded in providing for the local dance community is couched Malaysian choreographers, as well as a the dancers' skill, but also to their resilience, carefully targeted grants to support key upon the willingness of our committee and series of keynotes, seminars and workshops. ambition and perseverance, in this most projects and organisations in the local other members to volunteer their time and With the theme of 'Renewal - Dance in the challenging of occupations." performing arts ecosystem. effort. Public funding comes and goes, MyDance Alliance is delighted to but our investment into strengthening our announce that we are a recipient of the first dance community as a network, where we round of CENDANA's Arts Organisation all provide and depend upon each other's Funding Programme, designed to help assistance, is what really helps us stand the expand and develop arts organisations test of time. with strong track records within the Klang Examples can be seen in recent MyDance Valley. The grant of RM90,000 (about projects. Our member Silver Yee is USD 21,600) will support a range of new organising a public sharing session with projects next year, including a Dancing in a few other active young dancers, to talk Duets mentorship project, and a project to about their recent experiences at overseas investigate how to support working artists dance events and how other Malaysian who are also parents of young children. The dancers might tap into these opportunities. grant will also support our ongoing projects, Silver proposed this meeting herself, and the like Dancebox, the MyDance newsletter and MyDance committee are helping to spread Dancing in Place. it to their networks. Five Arts Centre, a local Part of the money will be used to pay arts collective, is providing venue suport.

our committee members -- who have been Our ongoing Dancebox project in Inner Space Temple operating on a pro bono basis all this partnership with The Actors Studio also of Fine Arts dancers while -- for their labour in spearheading continues to engage new members of the performing in a work by these projects. It will also help to pay dance community and wider audiences. Mavin Khoo, at Sadler's other arts workers, including dancers and The July 2019 edition was helmed by first- Wells, London, as part of the Darbar Festival, 25 choreographers, who are often the last to be time producer Chai Vivan, a member of our November 2019. Photo: paid in any production. committee. She put together a beautiful Bala Murali.

34 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 35 Philippines Jodel Cimagala, Ralph Malaque, Peejay de Laniog-Alvarez’s 'On Cracked Ground', her report Guzman, Tracy Domingo, and a multimedia take on the Filipino’s resilience to calamities collaboration between Jeruz Alcazarin and and tragedies. The piece was well received by Joelle Jacinto, Milky Perez. They also reprised their Liki 4.5, by the festival, earning very encouraging Angel Baguilat & which they presented in the CCP Blackbox words from scholars, choreographers and Nicole Primero last August. critics. Already their fourth TARI, the festival On 24 November, the Philippine High is a joyful reunion of old and new friends. School for the Arts Alumni Association paid tribute to two of its notable teachers, Mercy Airdance in Chiang Mai Drilon and Corazon Generoso Iñigo, with Airdance joined the first Chiang Mai Fringe testimonials and performances. Notable Festival, last 21 to 27 October, hosted were a pas de trois by Pia Dames, Pearl by the Gate Theater and the Exit Theater, Dames, and Ruben de Dios, all PHSA presenting works by Nicole Primero, 'Delight/Delirium' by Nicole Primero, graduates who are now principal dancers of Christopher Chan and Joshua Bajado. performed by Ian Nick Ballet Manila, and the UP Filipiniana Alumni Despite the birthing pains of the first Chiang Tiba and Anjelique Dance Group surprising Prof. Inigo with a Mai Fringe Festival, Airdance’s shows Baccay of Airdance, at restaging of her “The Filipino, His Dances received warm and heartfelt receptions the Chiang Mai Fringe and His Songs.” especially from the Filipino community. The Festival, 21-27 Oct 2019, in Thailand. tour was a successful experience for the Photo: Roxanne Oddie UPDC at TARI 2019 company, given its long wait since its last The University of the Philippines Dance international venture. Airdance is quietly In August 2019, Philippine President Biag Gaongen, Georgette Sanchez-Vargas, Company was privileged to be the Philippine rebuilding and reestablishing itself as one Rodrigo Duterte signed a law that provides Ava Maureen Villanueva-Ong, and a rework delegate to TARI 2019 at ASWARA in Kuala of the Philippines’ pioneering independent funding for five National Performing Arts of an old goodie by co-directors Denisa Lumpur, Malaysia. Organized by ASWARA’s dance companies. Companies for five years, allocating a Reyes and Myra Beltran. Faculty of Dance, TARI 2019 was held on 15 significant amount to a national ballet/ Away from the CCP, independent groups to 19 October. UPDC performed Ma. Elena 2 contemporary dance company, theater Airdance, UP Dance Company and Daloy company, orchestra, chorale, and an Dance Company are still creating work and 1 indigenous performing ensemble, and a producing shows. Fortunately this year, much smaller amount to a host of runners they had the means to perform abroad, up. There will be a selection process on widening their performative space. Airdance an open call of applicants. Perhaps, it is performed in Thailand in August, and good that the Philippine government sees competed in South Korea in December. fit to allocate funds for the development of UPDC participated in their 4th TARI Festival theatrical art, but also unfortunate that many at ASWARA in Kuala Lumpur; TEAM Dance will be excluded according to how they are Studio also brought their young ballerinas to 1. 'On Cracked Ground', unable to justify their “National”-ness, given perform in MyDance Alliance’s Dancebox in by Ma. Elena Laniog- the wealth of talent that the Philippines has Malaysia on 16 December. Short reports by Alvarez, performed by thriving throughout the country. Angel Baguilat and Nicole Primero on their UP Dance Company, And they are thriving. Ballet Philippines respective experiences are found below. at TARI '19, ASWARA, Kuala Lumpur, joins the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ The CMAP International Choreographers Malaysia, on 15-16 year-long celebration of 50 years, while Festival was held in Davao City this year, October 2019. Photo: Philippine Ballet Theatre triumphantly featuring works by Composition and Christian Branzuela presented the 50-year-old Mir-i-Nisa in Movement Analysis Program graduates Jose 2. 'Breaking Bad', by JMac Acol, performed August, the first Philippine ballet staged Mikhael Alva, Ethel Cablao, Richard James 3 by Beauty Balaga at the CCP. Sadly, Ballet Manila’s theaters Galang, Francis Jaena Jr., Gerald Jamili, and dancers of Teatro were razed in a fire that started in the Melvin Martinez, Monica Villarica, Akira Lydia Ambahanon, on 16 adjacent amusement park, and had to cancel Abao, Dylzaree Recentes, and Joey Toledo. November 2019 at SM Trade Hall, General their Christmas performances, but are slowly Gener Caringal, Paul Morales, and Alden Santos City, as part of getting back their bearings and exploring Lugnasin were given CMAP National Awards Last Quarter Intensives. new spaces. for Choreography, while Eli Jacinto and Bing Photo: Sheila Tomaquin The CCP Choreographers Series Locsin were given CMAP National Awards 3. 'Ang Pinakamagandang Treasurer sa Balat continued this year with Koryolab, featuring for mentorship. ng Lupa (The Most Sarah Maria Samaniego, Dingdong Teatro Ambahanon ran a successful Beautiful Treasurer on Selga, Buboy Raquitico, Michael Que 3-day Last Quarter Intensives festival over the Face of the Earth)' and Christopher Chan on 24-25 August, multiple spaces in General Santos City by Joshua Bajado of and , featuring sensitive and from 14 to 16 November, featuring exciting Airdance, at the Chiang Neo-Filipino Mai Fringe Festival, 21- powerful experimentations by JM Cabling, new works by Beauty Balaga, JMac Acol, 27 Oct 2019, in Thailand. Photo: Roxanne Oddie.

36 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 37 Taiwan Theater, performed “Love of Muller’s Barbet” graduate students at TNUA, presented “A report which was choreographed by Lin-lin Yang dance promoter from abroad in Taiwan — and danced by two dancers. Besides these Father Giancarlo Michelini as an Example” by Su-Ling Chou performances, Yu-chin Wang, the director of and “Approaching Odissi dance through the Lei Dance Theater, presented her mother’s somatic method.” contribution to dance education in Taiwan WDA-AP Taiwan continues its expansion in a paper titled, “Gone with the Wind: A and is expected that the dance in Taiwan will Life Journey of a Dance Educator — Yu- continue growing into a new era through all Ying Wang”. Yi-ling Liu and Yu-ting Huang, of these dance events.

Participants of the International Young Choreographers' Project in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in July 2019. Photo: Zen-hau Liu.

Taiwan remains active with many Research Society and University of Taipei performances especially by the members of will be held on 7-8 December in the campus WDAAP-Taiwan; the dance performances of the University of Taipei. in the second half year of 2019 are very The 2019 International Young plentiful. Choreographer Project (IYCP) hosted by First of all, we marked the first anniversary WDAAP-Taiwan was held from 30 June to of the National Kaohsiung Center for the 21 July. This project received more talented Arts(NKCA)/Weiwuying sited in Fung-shan, young applicants from the WDA regions Lei Dance Theatre Kaohsiung, which opened to the public on and local dancers than ever. There were performing 'Love 13 October 2018, and has since presented two successful performances on 20 and of Muller's Barbet', 270 programs and 409 performances. 21 July at Tsoying Dance Theater with a choreographed by Lin-lin The renewed Cloud Gate Dance Theatre productive after-show forum opening the Yang, at Ocean Dance of Taiwan and TAO Dance Theater had a conversation between the choreographers Festival, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on 23 collaboration performance in the program. and audience after the performance on the November 2019. Photo: In the same site in November, Taiwan 21st. The programs with the diversity of both Ridwan Adid Rupon International Contemporary Circus Platform styles and cultures illuminated how local is in the main series of showings. dancers and international choreographers At the same time, National Taichung worked together and mutually affected one WDA-AP Taiwan Members Theater (NTT) sited in Taichung City, in another during the three-week rehearsals. Activities, July - December 2019 the middle of Taiwan, which opened in Four out of the eight choreographers were ƒƒStray Birds Dance Platform, 14-15 December at September 2016, has scheduled a series Taiwanese (Zong-Lin Li, Pei-shan Hsieh, Tso’s Dance Association Experimental Theatre of Taiwan Traditional Theater Center, of programs from September to December Yung-chen Yeh and Chun-yu Lin) while the ƒƒ2019 Dance Concerts of Tsoying Senior High School, Taipei with the theme of “2019 NTT Fall for Great other three were from countries in the Asia- 02-08 December, at Tsoying Dance Theater, 11 December at Chiayi Performing Arts Center, 14 December at Souls”. Dance Force by Dance Forum Pacific area: Visaka Saeui of Thailand; Emma B. Dance Taichung City Tun District Art Center, 20-21 December at ƒƒInnermost, 13-14 December at Taipei City Stage Company and XENOS by Akram Khan Fishwick of Australia; and Lau Beh Chin of Kaohsiung City Da Dong Art Center Company are dance programs in this series. Malaysia,. J’Sun Howard was selected from Horse The collaboration between Cloud Gate and America representing WDA-America, while Chang Dance Theater ƒƒThank You So Much for Your Time, 28-29 December at TAO is also included. this year we missed out on a representative ƒƒbout, 26-27 October at Umay Theater, Taipei NTUA Performing Arts Center Taipei City Besides these performances in the two from WDA-Europe. There were 38 local ƒƒFree Steps-Nini, 20-21 July at Chiayi Performing Arts SunShier Dance Theatre Center, 12-13 October at Tainan Municipal Cultural theaters, dance programs from schools from dancers plus four dancers from Thailand in ƒƒRolling Eyes, 2 November at Taoyuan Public Performance Center, 16-23 November at National Palace Museum, universities to high schools present their the programs which presented various styles Hall, 8 November at Chiayi Performing Arts Center, 15-17 Taipei City annual dance concerts around the island in displaying with rich culture backgrounds. November at Wellspring Theater Taipei Scarecrow Contemporary Dance Company this season. Dance companies also present The 2019 WDAAP Ocean Dance T.T.C. Dance their achievements for the public to enjoy Festival was held on 22-25 November ƒƒDancing in the Park, 18-20 October at Tainan Park, Tainan ƒƒ2019TTCDance - Taipei × Penang, 6-8 September at City plentiful and various dance performances in Bangladesh. Two Taiwanese dance Experimental Theater of National Theater, Taipei ƒƒMilky, 23-24 November at Ten Drum Rentou Creative Park, everywhere in Taiwan. In addition, groups presented their work. Shiu-chin Yu ƒƒPersistence of Memory, 5-6 October at NTUA Performing Tainan City “Connection, Communication and Creativity took her 7 dancers from Somatic Theater Arts Center, Taipei in the Interdisciplinary Transformation and Company and Shu-Te University to perform Kaohsiung City Ballet Hung Dance ƒƒDance to Kid's Dreams, 9 November at Jhihshan Hall of Practice Inquiry of Dance: 2019 International her own choreographies, “Not Alone” and ƒƒBoundless, 31 August at Performance Hall of New Taipei Bureau of Cultural Affairs Kaohsiung City Conference” hosted by Taiwan Dance “Blossom”. The other group, Lei Dance City Arts Center

38 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 39 Lau Beh Chin, Malaysia Three weeks, three hours a day! Whether it is re-editing or a new creation, each director can be completely open to his or her own creation. From the confusion, the dancers slowly search for ways that are not interpreted by their own bodies, aware of the existence of their bodies and spaces, of their own breathing, and of their relationships with people and the environment. At the same time, the dance association’s help and support in terms of clothing, technology, and administration allowed us to focus on creation in a new way! This is a very good learning platform. From watching the other choreographers’ choreography style and creative techniques, I can re-examine myself, what parts need to be strengthened, and also observe my own or teach you how to take the initiative 'Schrödinger's Cat' by style and characteristics. I hoped that there and work on yourself to find the answer. Zong-Lin Li (TWN). Photo: 'Common Ground' by Zen-hau Liu Emma Fishwick (AUS). could be more room for communication and The choreographer may be working with Photo: Zen-hau Liu dialogue between the choreographers! other dancers; how do you keep your Finally, thanks for the accommodation body in an optimally prepared state? If the International Young Emma Fishwick, Australia arrangement, which let us have the choreographer’s work style is very strange, Choreographers' Project I found the experience of working in a foreign opportunity to live in a house in village and how do you accept it with an open heart? country, on dancers with different training experience a deeper level of local culture! This is where I think Taiwanese dance July 2019, Tsoying High School, and cultural background, to be immensely education is most lacking, but this project Kaohsiung, Taiwan informative, exciting and important for my Zong-lin Li, Taiwan makes up for this defect. Because I am still creative growth. a performer myself, it makes me particularly The IYCP is a biennial WDAAP project The support from the Tso’s Dance What is the core goal of this project? I think sensitive to such problems. So while I was hosted by WDAAP-Taiwan. Selected young Association was fantastic once I arrived in it is to let young dancers experience the working with the dancers, I was thinking choreographers from Taiwan, the Asia- Kaohsiung and the accommodation was ecology of life in the dance industry, and about how to bring something useful to Pacific region, and the Americas came perfect as it gave each choreographer their break away from the framework has been everyone involved. I tried to let the dancers together for 3 weeks in the southern city own space but also allowed for us to easily constructed in school over many years. interpret the combination the way they of Kaohsiung, to work with dancers, mostly socialize. For these dancers, their partners is not wanted, to use this opportunity to find their from Tsoying High School, in the creation I truly am grateful for the experience, your a familiar classmate, but a stranger. The own sensibility and know themselves. of new works. At the end of the project, hospitality and for making my first visit to choreographer will not help you to move, Dancers are not pigments, not inanimate the works are performed for the public at Taiwan so enjoyable! I will be back! Tsoying Dance Theater.

2

'Chew On', by Lau Beh Chin (MSIA). 'Paradise' by Chun-yu Lin Photo: Zen-hau Liu (TWN). Photo: Zen-hau Liu

40 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 41 'Impermanent Ceremony #2: Stepping on Snails' by J'son Howard (USA). Photo: Zen-hau Liu 'Whisper' by Visaka Saeui (THAI). Photo: Zen-hau Liu Visaka Saeui, Thailand dancers are quite young, opening up the Taiwanese dancers are amazing. They have horizons and thoughts. media, but living people. I feel that dance is and laughter. I hoped the dancers could discipline, punctuality, are fast learning and The education, belief and rigorous not an aesthetic standard of action; it’s how open up all the senses of the body, not only their highly-trained bodies are flexible and regulations that Tsoying High School you use it, perform it, allow it to infect your to complete the movements, but also to strong. provided to the students surprised me. actions from inside out. Enjoy yourself every make these movements tangible within their In the work I made, I told a story about There was no need to remind the dancers second on stage, find the most natural and lives. sounds in the brain. I wanted to experiment of discipline. However, in this tight rehearsal sensible side of the dancer. Excavate it. For the last section, I told them, “Let’s run with dancers of another culture, using the schedule, choreographers need to take care the marathon of life.” Eight girls lined up. four principles of Thai traditional dance: of all aspects of the dancers, including the Chun-yu Lin, Taiwan In the beginning, it was difficult to finish; lightness, smoothness, strength and flow, state of mind and body to avoid danger and they needed to calculate the number and and always moving with gravity. I trained the injury from excessive fatigue. I think during On the first day of the rehearsal, we 'The Sleeper' by Pei-shan sat around and talked, about our lives, size of the steps. They had to take care of dancers with Thai classical dance exercises, this project everyone went through a journey Hsieh (TWN). Photo: Zen- obsessions and fears. I wanted to know each other to merge with the other group. which was challenging, but we learned from together. hau Liu more about the dancers. I brought in a We practiced many times and failed many each other, and it concept, starting with the action of running times... but they actively discovered these was very good. in place, combining it into a dance. The problems and learned how to solve them whole rehearsal process was full of sweat together. Yung-chen Yeh, Taiwan This is my first creative project after graduating from university. In 2 the work I made, the action is based on the principle of necessity: nothing unnecessary, fancy or decorative; using minimalism as a tool for inspection. The most difficult thing was to let new dancers enter this world. I hoped to bring them to a completely different 'Horizon 00:01' by Yung- bodily concept, chen Yeh (TWN). Photo: especially since the Zen-hau Liu

42 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 43 Guide for Contributors to for publication elsewhere along with a 2020 WDA Events Journal of Emerging Dance statement that you are a WDA member, Scholarship (JEDS) and of what region. Submit a scanned copy. All manuscripts are checked with software programs to detect plagiarism. File 4: SURNAME: PROOF OF WDA MEMBERSHIP Submissions must comply with the following ƒƒSubmit a scanned receipt of the procedures: WDA membership payment with your Call for Paper Submissions Articles submission. 2020 Journal of Emerging All submissions are double blind peer Clearly state JEDS SUBMISSION – Dance Scholarship reviewed. A maximum of eight articles will ARTICLE or PERFORMANCE REVIEW in Articles be selected for the publication. Articles are the subject line of your email. Manuscripts should be typewritten in An international publication of selected based on originality of research and 12-point Arial Font, double-spaced with the World Dance Alliance. the contributions each makes to the future of File 1: SURNAME: TITLE OF one-inch margins, and only left margin (www.jedsonline.net) dance praxis (theory and practice). MANUSCRIPT justification. Manuscripts should have a ƒƒTitle page with your name and manuscript minimum of 5,000 words and a maximum SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5 February Performance Reviews title of 7,000 words (not including references). 2020 All submissions are double blind peer ƒƒStatus and name of institutional affiliation Please use APA (6th) referencing style. All reviewed. A maximum of six reviews shall (current graduate student institutional manuscripts must be submitted in English at PUBLICATION DATE: October 2020 be selected for each of the volumes. status or number of years since graduation this time. Performance reviews are included to with current institutional employment or For APA guidelines, see: http://owl. The World Dance Alliance (WDA) encourage emerging scholars from diverse name of institution granting degree) english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ announces a call for original scholarly backgrounds of dance practice and research ƒƒCurrent contact information (email or http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ articles and performance reviews for to contribute original reviews of dance/ address, home address, phone). resource/717/02/ for specifics Volume 8 of the Journal of Emerging Dance dance-theatre/ site specific performance/ ƒƒCreate a separate page for Abstract (100 Scholarship (JEDS), from emerging scholars community performance and other different – 150 words) and biographical information Performance Reviews in the discipline of dance. Authors must be genres. Performance reviews shall be (not more than 100 words). Include The written review should be typewritten in currently pursuing a graduate degree (M.A., selected on the basis of the photograph (at current evidence of expertise in the 12-point Arial Font, double-spaced with M.F.A., Ph.D., or equivalent) or be within least 1 and at the most 3) and the quality of topic of the article and graduate school one-inch margins, and only left margin five years of having graduated (the degree the critical performance analysis presented affiliation. justification. Review manuscripts should does not need to be in dance, but the article by the author. ƒƒInclude 4-5 keywords have a minimum of 1200 word and maximum must be focused on dance as an evolving ƒƒFor performance reviews include: of 2000 words. The review should contain discipline). JEDS is published online (https://www. ƒƒName of the performance reviewed between 1-3 relevant, high definition Manuscripts should contribute innovative jedsonline.net) as an open access resource ƒƒName of Organisation / Individuals photographs, titled and credited clearly. scholarship into contemporary or historical and linked through the World Dance Alliance (Choreographer/performers) Please use APA (6th) referencing style dance, research methodologies, critical Websites (http://www.wda-americas.net, ƒƒDate and location of performance if necessary. All manuscripts must be choreographic analysis, ethnographic http://www.wda-ap.org/ and http://www. submitted in English at this time. studies, pedagogical practices, or other worlddancealliance.net/). Articles and File 2: TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT topics opening insights into the field of performance reviews are selected to ensure ƒƒMake a separate file for your article or Visual materials dance studies. Research should be original a diverse representation of global dance performance review. Do not put your name All visual materials for articles and and supported by outside resources. scholarship is included in each publication. on it. Please embed all photos with title performance reviews must be submitted in Research engaging participants must Each submitting author must show proof and credit in the body of the text. digital form: 1200 dpi for line art and 300 show compliance with Institutional Human of membership in World Dance Alliance ƒƒInclude the 100-150 word abstract dpi for photographs; TIFF or JPEG are Participants Review procedures. before the article can be reviewed and ƒƒInclude 4-5 key words the preferred formats. All visuals must be edited. Please go to http://www.wda- ƒƒFor performance reviews include: embedded within the text. Authors must americas.net/ and click on “Members” in the ƒƒName of the performance reviewed obtain permission to publish illustrative top menu for information. ƒƒName of Organisation / Individual materials if by individuals other than If you have questions, or would like to (Choreographer/performers) themselves and include this information make a submission please email the guest ƒƒDate and location of performance under each visual. editors (TBA): JEDSsubmissions2020@ ƒƒInclude your manuscript gmail.com ƒƒEnsure you include page numbers The World Dance Alliance copyrights each issue of the journal as a collective work; File 3: SURNAME: AFFIRMATION individual authors retain rights to their STATEMENT FORM individual works. Authors have the right to ƒƒComplete the Affirmation Statement Form republish their work, but must give credit to assuring that the submission has not the JEDS original publication. been published, submitted, or accepted

44 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 45 2020 WDA Events About the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific

2020 WDAAP/TDRS Our Mission Membership Conference and AGM WDA serves as a primary voice for dance and dancers Open to any organisation or individual interested in throughout the world, and encourages the exchange of furthering the objectives of the society. 8-9 August 2020, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ideas and the awareness of dance in all its forms. World Dance Alliance operates via its regional centres Membership benefits “Navigating Location, Negotiating Identity” with an overarching Global Executive Committee, and ƒƒBiannual newsletter Channels a Secretary General, bringing the regions together ƒƒAnnual regional assemblies At this conference, we explore dance and its Proposed presentations may take the in matters of policy and global projects. The current ƒƒTriennial global assemblies relations to identity with its many form of scholarly papers, Pecha Kucha regional centres are ƒƒParticipation in the WDA Asia Pacific Networks ramifications, focusing on the currents presentations for emerging scholars, panels, ƒƒWDA Americas ƒƒDiscounts to certain member events and flows involved in navigating location lecture-demonstrations; master class, and ƒƒWDA Asia Pacific ƒƒPrivileged access to WDA Americas services and in and outside of relation to the nation and showcase performance. ƒƒWDA Europe (being re-formed) activities to the global. We investigate how “dance” Please note: Papers that are pre-grouped WDA also has partnerships with other international ƒƒNetworking opportunities provocatively (re)interrogates and (re) into panels are encouraged and have higher organisations such as WAAE (World Alliance for conceptualizes fundamental questions likelihood of acceptance. Individual papers Arts Education), International Dance Committee of about region, nation, and location, as well will be grouped into panels by the program International Theater Institute ITI /UNESCO (ITI), Types of membership and annual as their representations. This includes the committee. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and subscription fees (subject to change) rich dynamics between intraregional and Proposals are invited clearly indicating the Cultural Organization), and daCi (dance and the Child ƒƒChapter / Organisational US$ 200 international studies of dance practices and category of presentation under “Scholarly international). ƒƒAssociate Organisational (to be advised) theorization. The dialectic potential between Paper” or “Showcase” or “Master Class” in ƒƒAssociate Individual US$ 20 “inner” and “outer” as well as “intra” and the title of email subject in sending as well Our Goals “inter” points to the need in dance studies as on the title of the attachments. ƒƒTo promote the recognition, development and to reexamine the issues of identity and The application will be from 10 January, mutual understanding of all forms of dance. To join geopolitics across lands and waters as 2020 and the last date to submit your ƒƒTo facilitate communication and exchange Contact your Chapter Head (contact list on back of this well as across the global and regional; it proposals is on or before 10 March 2020 to among dance individuals, institutions and issue) for details on how to join the local chapter. celebrates and interrogates the connecting, the following email address. Please use the organisations interested in dance. mediating and negotiating power of dance, correct application form in the category for ƒƒTo provide a forum for discussion Visit our websites as well as the shifting relationships and which you choice to apply: of matters relating to dance. www.worlddancealliance.org pedagogies in the development of diverse ƒƒTo encourage and support the research, education, www.wda-ap.org dance histories. 1. For Scholarly Paper including Pecha criticism, creation and performance of dance. www.facebook.com/WorldDanceAlliance/ Kucha, Panel and Lecture Demonstration: ƒƒTo liaise, co-ordinate and participate in activities Presentations may address, but are not (download application form for Scholarly with other dance organisations in the world. limited to, the following topics: Paper) please send to: wdaap.taiwan2020@ ƒƒIdentities and identifications through gmail.com Our Founder dance and movement analysis. Carl Wolz ƒƒDance histories related to identity 2. For Master Class: (download application formations through gender, race, ethnicity, form for Master Class), please send to: Our Background socio-economic class, sexuality, (dis) [email protected] This independent, non-profit, non-political organisation ability, (non)religiosity, nation, and region. began as the Asia-Pacific Dance Alliance in Hong Kong ƒƒRole of dance in formation of imagined 3. For Showcase, please fill out our online in 1988. In 1990, the global body, World Dance Alliance / symbolic / contested / socially defined application form. (WDA), was founded at the Hong Kong International communities. Dance Conference. In 1993, the name of the Asia- Pacific Center was changed to WDA Asia Pacific to reflect its relationship to the global body. WDA Asia Pacific is one of the regional centres that make up WDA. The other is WDA Americas .

46 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019 December 2019 | Asia – Pacific Channels 47 World Dance Alliance key contacts

WDA Presidents Asia – Pacific Network Chairs Hong Kong Dance Alliance Papua New Guinea 7/F, 26-28 Tai Yau Street representative WDA Asia Pacific President Education & Training San Po Kong Naomi Faik-Simet Urmimala Sarkar Munsi Sarah Knox Kowloon, Hong Kong. Institute of Papua New Guinea School of Arts & Aesthetics [email protected] T +852 22676663 Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University [email protected] Box 1432, Boroko 111, NCD, Research & Documentation New Delhi 110067, India Papua New Guinea Stephanie Burridge (Singapore) India [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dr Kapila Vatsyayan WDA Americas President A. P. Rajaram (India) Indira Gandhi National Philippines Cristina Goletti [email protected] Centre for the Arts Basilio Esteban Villaruz Dept of Theatre & Dance Anja Ali-Haapala (Australia) New Delhi 110 001 India College of Music Fox Fine Arts Center - D371 [email protected] F +91 1 1338 1139 University of the Philippines University of Texas at El Paso Rosemary Bennett (Australia) [email protected] Diliman, Quezon City 1101 El Paso, Texas, 79968-0549, USA [email protected] Philippines Indonesia [email protected] T +63 2 428 7772 Creation & Presentation Michael Raditya [email protected] Secretary General Joelle Jacinto (Philippines) Secretary Mohd. Anis Md. Nor [email protected] WDA Indonesia Singapore [email protected] [email protected] Dr Siri Rama Asia – Pacific Chapters [email protected] Korea Asia – Pacific Executive Peter Gn Kim Geung-Soo Aotearoa New Zealand [email protected] Chung Ang University President Sheryl Lowe 72-1 Nae-Ri, Daeduk-Myun, Taiwan Urmimala Sarkar Munsi (India) Dance Aotearoa New Zealand Anseong City, Gyeong-Gi Do Su-ling Chou [email protected] (DANZ) Republic of Korea Dance Division, Tsoying High School PO Box 9885 Immediate Past President [email protected] #55 Hai-Kung Road Wellington New Zealand Yunyu Wang (Taiwan) Tsoying, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 81326 T +64-4-8019885 Malaysia [email protected] T/F +886 7 585 3083 F +64-4-8019883 Bilqis Hijjas [email protected] Vice President [email protected] MyDance Alliance Stella Lau (Hong Kong) www.danz.org.nz P.O. Box 12409, 50776 Thailand [email protected] Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Prof. Sanchai Uaesilapa Australia T +6017 310 3769 Dean of the Faculty of Music and Secretary Julie Dyson [email protected] Performing Arts Julie Dyson (Australia) Ausdance National www.mydancealliance.org Burapha University [email protected] [email protected] Chonburi, Thailand www.ausdance.org.au Nepal Treasurer [email protected] Rajendra Shrestha Jefferson Chieh-hua Hsieh (Taiwan) Bangladesh Nritya Sahakarya Nepal [email protected] Lubna Marium (Nepal Dance Alliance). General Secretary, Shadhona Vice President South East Asia Home No. 98 Kopundol, A Center for Advancement of Bilqis Hijjas (Malaysia) Lalitpur-10, Nepal Southasian Dance & Music [email protected] T +97 98 4133 7147 House 69, Road 5, DOHS (old), [email protected] Vice President East Asia Dhaka 1213 Jun Hong Jo (South Korea) T +88029889426 [email protected] M +8801713040814 [email protected] Vice President Pacific Sheryl Lowe (New Zealand) East Timor representative [email protected] Colleen Coy Dili Wellness Vice President South Asia T +670-7824-1931 Lubna Marium (Bangladesh) [email protected] [email protected] Hong Kong Sophie Lau

48 Asia – Pacific Channels | December 2019