Contemporary dance celebration

Oct 2 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE Dance Initiative is bringing the finest European contemporary dance companies from across the Continent for four nights only, in celebration of Liverpool’s status as European Capital of Culture.

Capital Nights explores dance that is both classical in nature but also experimental, from a variety of dance companies from cities and countries that have hosted European Capital of Culture in previous years.

Festival artistic producer and MDI director Karen Gallagher said: “This is an incredibly exciting mix of companies in Liverpool in celebration of our great year.

“Dance in this city has gone from strength-to-strength with more people experiencing contemporary dance than ever before”.

From October 29 to November 1, Capital Nights features companies from Ireland, Holland, Italy and the UK and highlights many Liverpool based dance companies, including Andrea Buckley, Taciturn, Guerilla Dance and House of Suarez. The festival also includes the critically acclaimed Galili Dance (led by Israeli Itzik Galili, left) and Anouk van Dijk, plus many more.

MDI will also be hosting seminars exploring dance and its role within Europe and a masterclass for those wanting to take part. For more information visit www.capitalnights.org.uk.