Dublin Dance Festival 2011 Announces Children's Season At The Ark

The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children and Dublin Dance Festival are delighted to present an exciting Children's Season of dance this May as part of the 2011 Festival. The season will feature Dutch artists De Stilte and Erik Kaiel / Archeopteryx 8 Dance Group presenting works for both older and younger children. Children, families and teachers will also have a chance to get up and dance themselves in a series of workshops.

Family dance workshops - 17th & 18th May
Schools performances - 20th May
Public performances - 21st, 22nd & 28th May

Erik Kaiel and his Archeopteryx 8 Dance Group push the limits of physical possibility in a double bill for family audiences. My True North highlights endurance as dancers climb, twist and turn. The audience is then invited onstage for a close-up look at No Man is an Island, which explores balance as one body climbs and shifts atop another, without ever touching the ground. They bring connection, cooperation, communication and creativity together, offering an enjoyable and fascinating experience for families and children aged eight plus.
De Stilte's MADCAP features three dancers who build a wonderfully imaginative farm-like world with simple objects - small bird cages, giant eggs and a metal bucket. Friendships, however, are soon to be put to the test because three can be a crowd even at playtime. A playful and exuberant piece of dance for children of four years upwards, MADCAP is complemented by lively music and will spark the imaginations of audience members, young and old.
Cindy Cummings will lead creative dance workshops suitable for families and children aged 7+.
Ciarán Gray will also facilitate workshops for teachers as part of The Creative Self, The Ark's professional development programme for teachers.

Performance details:
DE STILTE (THE NETHERLANDS)
MADCAP (2005)
Venue: The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children
Schools: Friday 20 @ 10.15am & 12.15pm
Public: Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 @ 2pm & 4pm
Duration: 50 mins
Age/class range: 4+ / Senior Infants +
Tickets: Public: €10 / €8 Conc
Schools: €6.50 / €4.50 Conc

ERIK KAIEL / ARCHEOPTERYX 8 DANCE GROUP (THE NETHERLANDS/USA)
MY TRUE NORTH (2009) & NO MAN IS AN ISLAND (2006)
Venue: The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children
Date and Times: Saturday 28 @ 1pm / 3pm / 5pm
Duration: 40 mins
Age range: 8+
Tickets: €10 / €8 Conc

CHILDREN'S SEASON WORKSHOPS

FAMILY DANCE WORKSHOP
WITH CINDY CUMMINGS
Dates and Time: Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 @ 6pm
Duration: 70 minutes
Tickets: €10 / €8 Conc
Explore the possibilities of dance and rhythm with performer and choreographer Cindy Cummings in a creative dance workshop suitable for families and children aged 7+.

POETRY ETC. IN MOTION: WORDS AND IDEAS BECOMING DANCE
Part of The Creative Self, The Ark's professional development programme for teachers
Date and Times: Saturday 28 @ 10.30am-4pm
Tickets: €25
Ciarán Gray is a dance practitioner and primary teacher who has been working with young people in dance for over twenty years. He leads a practical personal and professional development workshop for teachers, which focuses on the progression from words and ideas to movement. Participants will also have the opportunity to see a demonstration from Company B, a contemporary dance company for boys aged seven to fourteen years, and attend Erik Kaiel's performance, as detailed above.

The Ark gratefully acknowledges the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for MADCAP by
De Stilte.

The Ark also gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and the support of the Department of Education and Skills, Temple Bar Cultural Trust and Dublin City Council.

Booking details:

Contact: The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children
Tel: + 353 1 670 7788 / www.ark.ie
From Monday 7 March
Workshops must be booked directly with The Ark.

Or Dublin Dance Festival
Online from March 7: www.dublindancefestival.ie
Telephone from April 4: Tel: + 353 1 672 8815 Lines open Monday to Friday 11.00am-6pm

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