Dominique Hervieu Takes Over Lyon Dance Biennale, 15th Edition Opens September 13

The 15th Biennale de la danse de Lyon runs September 13–30, 2012, across multiple venues. For the first time since its founding in 1984 by Guy Darmet, the festival has a new artistic director: choreographer Dominique Hervieu, formerly co-director of Théâtre national de Chaillot with José Montalvo. She collaborates with Laurent Goumarre. Hervieu aims to preserve the festival's fundamentals while injecting new energy. The opening parade along rue de la République, a signature event, is co-orchestrated by Hervieu and hip-hop choreographer Mourad Merzouki. The program emphasizes narrative and dramaturgy, featuring works by Rachid Ouramdane (Sfumato, with dramaturge Sonia Chiambretto, on climate refugees), Philippe Decouflé (Panorama, revisiting his career), François Chaignaud and Cecilia Bengolea (split and jump dance from Bronx clubs), David Bobee, Antoine Defoort and Halory Goerger, Angelin Preljocaj (adapting Laurent Mauvignier's Ce que j'appelle oubli), Maguy Marin (new piece continuing Turba's memory research), and Jan Fabre (Troubleyn / Preparatio with Annabelle Chambon). The festival also opens to theater, with several directors working from the body. Over forty performances are presented, with more than thirty associated theaters from Saint-Étienne to Valence.