Danza Urbana Festival Turns 20, Battles Ticket Mandate
The Danza Urbana festival in Bologna marks its 20th anniversary, advocating for free urban dance in unconventional venues as a form of political expression. Founder Massimo Carosi has voiced his disapproval of a recent decree mandating that 90% of performances be paid, describing it as a lost battle but not the end of the fight. On September 4, the anniversary will feature a conference titled Città che danzano, organized by Carosi and Paolo Ruffini, with contributions from scholars and choreographers such as Rossella Mazzaglia and Viviana Gravano. Returning performers include Fabrizio Favale, Simona Bertozzi, Michele Di Stefano, and Enzo Cosimi, with Di Stefano showcasing Veduta > Bologna and Cosimi presenting Corpus Hominis. The newcomer Gruppo Phren will debut Montyon. Carosi highlights the ability of urban dance to engage wider audiences.
Key facts
- Danza Urbana festival in Bologna celebrates its 20th anniversary.
- The festival uses non-theatrical spaces as a founding principle.
- A ministerial decree requires festivals to have at least 90% paid performances, which Carosi opposes.
- A conference titled Città che danzano is scheduled for September 4, curated by Massimo Carosi and Paolo Ruffini.
- Invited scholars and choreographers include Rossella Mazzaglia, Viviana Gravano, Antoine Pickels, Piersandra Di Matteo, and MK.
- Fabrizio Favale debuted at Danza Urbana in 1998; Simona Bertozzi started collaborating in 2003.
- Michele Di Stefano presents Veduta > Bologna, placing eight spectators before two windows on Piazza Maggiore.
- Enzo Cosimi presents Corpus Hominis on old age and homosexuality in an air-raid shelter, part of his trilogy Ode alla bellezza.
- La Veronal returns with Bologna: Pasolini, an international production begun in 2015.
- Other performers include Elìas Aguirre, Álvaro Esteban, Sharon Fridman, Arno Schuitemaker, Yoko Higisano, and Gruppo Phren.
Entities
Artists
- Massimo Carosi
- Paolo Ruffini
- Rossella Mazzaglia
- Viviana Gravano
- Antoine Pickels
- Piersandra Di Matteo
- MK
- Fabrizio Favale
- Simona Bertozzi
- Michele Di Stefano
- Enzo Cosimi
- La Veronal
- Elìas Aguirre
- Álvaro Esteban
- Sharon Fridman
- Arno Schuitemaker
- Yoko Higisano
- Gruppo Phren
Institutions
- Danza Urbana
- Centro Mousiké
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Piazza Maggiore