For the very first time, DiverCity presents three new creations by a fresh breed of Singaporean independent dance artists, in a season showcasing the bold energy and dynamism of our evolving local dance scene.Adele Goh’s solo performance, created in collaboration with Germaine Cheng, rediscovers the joy, power and necessity of the body as space through searing questions: What makes a space habitable or architectural? What deems it private or social, dangerous or safe.Presented in the Festival’s Off Stage platform in 2018, Amelia Chong’s NAMUH caught the eye of Supercell: Festival of Contemporary Dance’s co-founder and curator Kate Usher, leading to its further development and Australian premiere at this year’s edition of the Brisbane festival. This latest rendition, refined over the last year, sees Chong flipping humanity on its head to investigate the complexities and strangeness of the human form.Taking us back to our senses is DBL.TAP by Edwin Wee and Rachel Lum. The duo takes on the phenomenon of social media addiction to ask: Are we lost in a fantasised version of who we think we are, and are we becoming more disconnected than ever in this era of lauded connectivity?

An invitation to watch and be watched. A tennis player’s obsession with victory. A dancer wonders if the body holds a separate memory bank. Daring, exuberant and utterly contemporary, M1 Open Stage is the Festival’s annual excursion into the curious minds of choreographic talents from Singapore, Southeast Asia and beyond.Selected by an international panel from almost 200 entries, these 12 works are a fascinating glimpse into the creative processes and themes that drive the current generation of contemporary dance artists. At once profound and questioning, playful and reflective, come delve into the creativity and passion of these dance talents.

Berlin dance-maker Sasha Waltz’s provocative signature work, Körper, investigates the structure of the body against the mortality of human existence. Since its debut in 2000, Körper has been hailed as one of the most iconic works from Berlin dance-maker Sasha Waltz’s career. Celebrated for her groundbreaking choreography, rich theatricality and technical precision, her company Sasha Waltz & Guests has collaborated with over 300 artists and ensembles on over 80 productions.Combining dance, body-focused imagery with intimate personal monologues, Körper asks the question: what is the body and how is it constructed?Together with 12 dancers in Körper, Waltz creates a series of spectacular living tableaux. The dancers are weighed and measured; bodies are stacked akin to human walls; the performers writhe and squirm, celebrating the body in all its stark corporeality.Drawing unexpected links between the body with architecture, science and history, Waltz’s masterful and incisive analysis of the body makes Körper an intellectual tour-de-force. With the world accelerating into the age of genetic manipulation, Körper’s clinical investigation of the body speaks with extraordinary relevance for our times.  ★★★★ “Provokes wonder, terror and hilarity” The Guardian

A connection in existenceOf beings, of space, of time, and of circumstance,But moments last not forever,So I pen our crossing into a poem, and make us eternal.This year, the Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre’s core production “Crossings: A Double Bill” touches on chance and evoking sentiments. Drawing inspiration from encounters and conflicts in our lives, the production combines traditional elements and characters with contemporary ideas and expressions in its artistic creations. In the first half of the double bill, Artistic Director Lim Moi Kim looks at the crossing of time, and of people. A revisit to scenic cultural sights plays the vivid scenes of legendary characters and their stories before us, as if the writings we read in books had the ability to come to life. The second half, a dance-drama by guest choreographers Jiang Wei (China) and Zhang Yapeng (China), is an exploration of the connection, conflict and internal struggle of individuals using an abstract and contemporary approach. Accompanying the double bill is a collaborating group of talented musicians to compose for the works, bringing its aesthetic quality to a new, refreshing level as the beauty of music and dance blend in an evening’s harmony of traditional and contemporary art.

“Dance transforms my pulse to pace with rhythmAnd I become one with rhythmDance transforms the space around meAnd I become one with spaceDance transforms my body from still to motionAnd I become one with movementDance transforms my soul from singular to pluralAnd I become one with the world”Dance is a latent gift within each human being and is undoubtedly a multi-layered power house of transformation. Not only does it transform us physically, emotionally, spiritually and culturally, it also has the capacity to touch the world and eventually to change or transform it. It alters the visual and physical space around the dancer, brings about a change in the relation between the dancer and the dance, and finally awards a life-changing experience to anyone and everyone who comes into contact with it.VIVARTANA is a commissioned work by the National Centre for Performing arts (NCPA, Mumbai, India) and has been presented there twice due to public demand. Apart from Mumbai, VIVARTANA has been presented in Bangalore, Delhi, Trishur and in  Chennai. In USA it has been presented in 12 cities and is scheduled to tour again this year. VIVARTANA has been programmed at the World Music Institute in New York on 27 Apr 2019, and also in Paris for the Le Vivat festival on 5 May 2019.

This presentation features two dance productions— Hari Ho Gati Meri and Krishna Saranam choreographed in two different styles of Indian classical dance—kathak and odissi. Both these choreographies are inspired by a common theme “In Love of Krishna, the Blue God”.Aruna Mohanty presents the odissi dance production Krishna Saranam, a multi-text composition that depicts a playful miracle-performing Krishna in his childhood. This dance presents the love story of Radha and Krishna—their separation, sufferings, anger, annoyance, supplications, and their final reunion.Gauri Diwakar presents Hari Ho Gati Meri – Muslim Poets in Love of Krishna, inspired by the lines of poet Sayyad Mubarak Ali Bilgrami, who was a Muslim by faith. Part of a living tradition of shared heritage and oneness, his poetry reflected love for Krishna. This kathak dance presentation is based on poems of Muslim poets who wrote, praised and at times even worshipped Lord Krishna.The performance also features divine love poetry, ashtapadis from Gitaa Govinda, by the 12th century poet Jayadeva, who laid much emphasis on prema (love) and bhakiti (devotion) expressed in sweet, simple and melodious words in the classical language of Sanskrit.

This 10th anniversary edition of Binary - International Artists Showcase presents two unforgettable past Festival artists hailed for their commanding stage presence and artistry.For those who missed its highly-acclaimed 2013 staging at the Festival, here’s your chance to catch Stigma, a dark, enigmatic solo performance by Danish dance artist Kitt Johnson. Hailed as one of the New York Times’ Top 10 Dance Performances of 2003, this extraordinary work has lost none of its visceral power and hypnotic intensity 20 years after its astonishing debut.Last seen at the Festival in 2014, Japanese dance artist Shintaro Oue presents 談ス (Dan-su), marking the Singapore premiere of this adventurous full-length work. Stripping away all dance rules, the work lets go of perfection to courageously explore states of uncertainty. Both a dance and a “talk”, the choreography develops from the myriad expressions of the body, as its three performers shape-shift in every scene.A reflection on the life of creating and performing, Binary - International Artists Showcase celebrates the evolution and beauty of these artistic journeys.Please note that part of the performance of Stigma contains top-half female frontal nudity.

Asian Festivals Exchange (AFX) returns as Co.Lab.Asians! Dance artists from different countries and backgrounds, including those from Asia, join hands to create original new dance works - in just under six weeks. A marathon exercise of creativity, communication and ingenuity, these artistic collaborations often breed unexpected, unique performances that span cultures.In a duet performance, Lee Ren Xin and Miwa Okuno reunite from their 2014 AFX collaboration to delve into the different conscious states of the body – from alienation and disconnection with the physical, to the subtle, layered relationship between two bodies.How would an angular stone roll? This quirky work, Rolling Stone by Ji Kyungmin uses speed and music to take “rolling” to a whole new level. Together with dancers from T.H.E Second Company, Ji leaves no stone unturned as he embarks on a mind-boggling journey of getting sharp-cornered “human stones” to roll as smoothly as soccer balls.Exploring the human condition, Isabella Giustina and T.H.E Second Company present Hanging in the Balance. In a world where we often endeavour to hide our insecurities and fears amidst our convictions, could there be a superhuman power behind our fragility?

One day, 10-year-old Tantri comes to realise she will not have much more time with her bedridden twin brother Tantra, who is losing his senses one by one. Grappling with this reality, Tantri finds solace in the deepness and the darkness of night. Under a full moon, she dances, finding herself between reality and imagination, loss and hope. Tantri experiences a magical and emotional journey into womanhood that eclipses Tantra’s fading life.The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) is a new performance work, a cross-cultural collaboration between artists from Indonesia, Japan and Australia. Inspired by Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini’s film The Seen and Unseen, which has been described as “a truly singular film” (Cinema Scope) and “a haunting and hypnotic interpretation…rooted in Balinese arts and culture” (Variety).This live theatrical production is a visual feast incorporating dance, live music and song, and features an electronic score, creating a blend of traditional Balinese dance movement with a contemporary approach to theatre. Driving this production is the Balinese philosophy of Sekala Niskala (“the seen and unseen”), a fundamentally dualist spiritual structure that describes what we cannot see as having equal value to what is seen in the world.Directed by Kamila Andini (Indonesia), The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) features an all-child cast from Komunitas Bumi Bajra. The production also features a cross-cultural creative team that includes choreographer Ida Ayu Wayan Arya Satyani (Indonesia), composer Yasuhiro Morinaga (Japan), designer Eugyeene Teh (Australia), lighting designer Jenny Hector (Australia), dramaturgy by Adena Jacobs, theatre director and artistic director of Fraught Outfit (Australia).-A co-commission by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial ofPerforming Arts Produced by Performing Lines In collaboration with Fourcolours Films, Komunitas Bumi Bajra, Fraught Outfit, Komunitas Salihara Visit www.esplanade.com/pestaraya for the full festival line-up. 

Crowd is choreographer-director Gisèle Vienne’s deep dive into the dark side within us. Inspired by the techno rave scene of 1990s Berlin, 15 dancers create temporal distortions, alternate realities and dreamscapes, exposing the core of our “inner selves”. With a background in music, puppetry, philosophy and the visual arts, Gisèle Vienne is recognised for her unique theatrical language that melds a fine arts sensitivity with a cinematic eye.In Crowd, Vienne unleashes the cathartic power of the stage and draws you irresistibly into its scenes of visual anarchy. Lifting the curtain on the everyday identities of 15 young revellers at an open-field party, Vienne lays bare their individual and collective emotions to confront us with the buried side of their inner narratives.Driven by a mesmerising electronic dance music selection including techno anthems spanning from Underground Resistance to Jeff Mills— the uncanny movements of bodies, together with rhythmic distortions and optical effects, plays tricks with the viewer and makes our linear perception of time stand still.Don’t miss this hypnotic work—at once an intoxicating musical outing, a visual feast, and a searing dissection of the violence at the heart of the modern human condition.Photo by Barbara Braun: MuTphoto

Witness the inaugural International Ballet Grand Prix Singapore, a space for aspiring ballet dancers age 7 to 18 of all nationalities to perform their classical variation, be recognised for their dedication and efforts, and for them to thrive and grow. 

Peter & Blue Go Around the World will stir the imagination of children with its cheery brilliance and playful storyline. This is an hour-long ballet that features engaging live story-telling and comical choreography which will inspire and incite creativity in the little ones.Interweaving the magic of fairy-tale and delightful dancing about the ever-inquisitive Peter, his dog, Blue, and his cat, Calico. Join this cheeky and playful trio as they embark on a magical adventure across the world.Peter & Blue Go Around the World is part of a three-part ballet series, which was created by Janek Schergen as a performance dedicated for young ones to enjoy in the theatre. Children will get to meet with the dancers and take photos with them after each performance.“Experiencing the arts can never start too early, and an appreciation of movement, music, and spectacle can lead us into wonderful realms of possibility.” – Janek Schergen (Artistic Director, Singapore Dance Theatre)(Recommended for children of ages 3 and above.) 

An enchanting escapade awaits you as we bring to you two weekends of extraordinary works at the 24th edition of Ballet Under the Stars! A phenomenal line-up specially put together for true-blue ballet lovers to enthusiastic dance novices, this is an event for everyone, of all ages.Spread out your picnic mats, pack along your picnic baskets, and join us in the lush greenery of Fort Canning.5 – 7 JulyThe first weekend will stage three remarkable contemporary works that have been raved as Audience’s Favourites - the breathtaking and awe-inspiring Evening Voices by Timothy Rushton, Linea Adora, which was specially created by Timothy Harbour for SDT’s 30th Anniversary, as well as SYNC by Nils Christe, which received Best Premiere of 2018 by Dance Europe Critic's Choice.12 - 14 JulyThe second weekend brings to stage the highlights of some of the world’s most famous classical ballets including Giselle’s hauntingly beautiful Act II, Swan Lake divertissements, as well as The Nutcracker Act II.

da:ns focus: Forsythe A rule-breaker, risk-taker, he’s been hailed as ballet’s premier deconstructionist, postmodernist and a living legend—da:ns series 2019 shines a spotlight on William Forsythe through two of his major works created in 1988 and 2016, danced by two world renowned companies, Dresden Semperoper Ballett in March and Paris Opera Ballet in June.The world-famous Paris Opera Ballet was the birthplace of classical dance, with origins tracing back over more than 300 years. Since then, the company has never ceased to pursue excellence, establishing itself as a repertory company, remaining faithful to its dual vocation of ensuring the continuity of the repertoire and offering an open door towards creation. The company rarely tours to the region and in June 2019, Singapore audiences will be treated to the works of three renowned choreographers in one programme.The iconic dancemaker William Forsythe’s 2016 Blake Works I for the Paris Opera Ballet is said to be a moment as important as his In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated for the company in 1987. Almost 30 years later, he has taken a long and loving look at ballet’s past, and once again moved it into the future. Forsythe’s love letter to ballet is poetic, joyous and hopeful, where the technical heritage of the company shines through the dancers who perform to soulful ballads over electronic keyboard and syncopated percussion created by English musician James Blake.Jerome Robbins’ In the Night presents three elegant duets featuring vastly contrasting sets of lovers, from innocent to impetuous, who meet beneath a midnight sky. Premiered by the New York City Ballet in 1970 and included in Paris Opera Ballet’s repertory since 1989, the duets developed a metaphor of love in all its states, each choreographed to a different nocturne by Chopin.Created in 2016 for the Paris Opera Ballet by one of the most sought-after choreographers in dance today, Crystal Pite’s The Seasons’ Canon is a spectacular large ensemble work featuring 54 dancers performing the avant-garde update of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, recomposed by Max Richter, a score that the Canadian choreographer had long ago fallen in love with. Drawing inspiration from the meticulous observation of natural phenomena, Pite imagined a series of succeeding, interlinking tableaux with highly structured formations more intricate than the next as the men and women soar in unison in pulsing, breathing masses.

Suffused with dark humour and inventiveness, Mr. Sign is an excavation into the workings of a hierarchal society – a furious search to locate one’s place within it and the meaning of human communication, explored through the lens of contemporary dance.The bold musical score arranged by resident choreographer, and original composer Kim Jae Duk features an idiosyncratic mix of influences, from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Indonesian gamelan to traditional Korean trot music. Known for his high-octane performances, Kim translates the playfulness and metaphorical wit of his stylistic movements with an all-new six-member cast from T.H.E Dance Company.Mr. Sign premiered at the M1 CONTACT Contemporary Dance Festival 2013, Singapore. Updated and restaged in 2019, a featured programme as part of Esplanade's Feed Your Imagination (F.Y.I) 2019, a dedicated series for schools, and for the 10th edition of the M1 CONTACT Festival.

Presenting two-time Grammy® Award-winning choral legends, the Soweto Gospel Choir, with choreography by multi award-winning Mark Baldwin OBE and current and former members of The Royal Ballet and Rambert, INALA delivers an exhilarating fusion of South African and Western cultures live on stage.Performed by an exceptional company of 25 dancers, singers and musicians, INALA promises a spiritually uplifting live experience, powered by a cultural explosion of music, song and dance – not to be missed!Click Here For Theatre Conditions of Entry