BMotion Festival Adapts to Pandemic with Digital and Live Hybrid Programming

BMotion, the dance and theater festival in Bassano del Grappa, is proceeding with its 2020 edition despite the Coronavirus emergency, reimagining its format through a blend of online and live research. Organized within Operaestate, the festival is led by Roberto Casarotto, head of dance for the municipality. The program, to be announced in mid-June, will feature artists Silvia Gribaudi, Chiara Frigo, Masako Matsushita, Marigia Maggipinto, and Sara Sguotti, who have developed new audience relationships amid restrictions. Casarotto emphasizes that the crisis is an opportunity to explore creative dialogues between web and live performance, while acknowledging challenges such as international artist mobility and uncertain legal contexts. The festival aims to maintain its presence, contrasting with many cancellations or postponements. Projects like Dance Well have generated audioguides, and Matsushita's "Diary of a Move" collects movement recordings for a city archive and future performance. "3 PASSI" by Maggipinto, Frigo, and Gribaudi investigates memories and emotions. Casarotto criticizes traditional theaters as exclusionary and calls for inclusivity and diversity. He notes that leaner institutions have adapted better than rigid ones. The festival's sustainability relies on the city, MiBACT, EU funds, sponsors, and ticket sales. BMotion continues to foster long-term relationships, with card sales selling out in two days despite unknown programming.