KorFest is Back!

This year's choreography festival is split into two parts. Third-year students' graduation pieces will be shown from the 5th to the 11th of January. Course work, dance films made with KinoEyes film students and Marta Jamsa's dance films will reach the audiences in April-May. Written theses will be defended in June and Anu Vask will defend her MA thesis then.

Tickets (7€) sold at Piletilevi.

Allar Valge (BA 2018)

„Sound sonorously“

Friday, January 5th and Saturday, January 6th at 7 p.m in Stella Theatre

Movers – co-authors: Ander Ott Valge, Aneta Varts, Maarja Pärn, Marie Vaigla, Marko Reitalu, Silver Soorsk.
Light: Ants Kurist
Music: Arvo Pärt „Ukuaru Waltz“
Live sound: Marie Vaigla
Technical support: Vaido Valge
Supervisor: Sille Kapper 

Forgetting is human and commonplace. We tend to forget also important people in life whose absence we notice only when there is nothing to be done about it. Let’s remember the sonorous and care about sounding...

Allar has trodden dance path since his 4th year: has practiced seriously swing and tap dance, but participated in dance and gymnastic celebrations now and then. He has poured into his body ballet and contemporary dance during his three-year period of university studies and side projects.

 

Aneta Varts (BA 2018)

“Communities” 

Friday, January 5th and Saturday, January 6^th at 7 p.m in Stella Theatre

Dancers: Kerstin Vnukova, Arolin Raudva, Allar Valge, Jene Walker, Hansel Rivero
Light: Ants Kurist
Costumes: Triin Tint
Vocal: Denise Fontoura
Music: Denise Fontoura, Maalem Mahmoud Guinia “Marhaba”, Clap! Clap! “The Rainstick Fable”, The Very Best “Hear Me”, Os Tincoãs “Deixa a Gira Gira”.
Supervisor: Sille Kapper 

Special thanks to Tõnis Vellama and Sander Mölder.

In the production we witness a society, its internal dynamism, acceptance and non-acceptance, touching borders. In this world one has the freedom to make decisions, to follow others or not. How to relate to the surroundings is each one’s personal decision. As there is no sadness without joy, sounds without silence, there are both black and white. There is space for both.

The dance production „Communities” is inspired by Afro-Brazilian culture and candomblé religion.

The production is dedicated to my father.

I am Aneta Varts. Dance has been an indivisible part of my life since my 6th birthday. In addition to dancing music, rhythms and drumming uniting the former two, have been essential in my life. Brazilian music and culture have a deep place in my heart. Therefore these themes and fields have been important sources of inspiration for my graduation piece.

 

Kerstin Vnukova (BA 2018)

„Awake in a dream“

Tuesday, January 9^th at 7 p.m in KUMU auditorium

Dancers: Aneta Varts, Allar Valge, Sandra Põld, Richard Beljohhin, Maria Maandi, Markus Aru, Maarja Eliisabet Roosalu, Marko Reitalu, Daniil Volkov
Light: Ants Kurist
Costumes: Silvia Sigrid Sillaots
Sound design: Haendel Gabriel Guerrero Solis
Supervisor: Heili Einasto 

Holidays. Do you know where the annually celebrated holidays originate from? Why are they celebrated? What have they become in the present consumer society? Is the colourful December bustle sufficient for people not to feel themselves lonely and abandoned?

Fear of being followed. What would happen if you are observed not via a camera somewhere afar, but here and now, in your own room? How to get rid of fear? Do you expect a knight on a white horse would save you or would dyou face the challenge on your own?

You don’t like what happens in the real world, but prefer to dream about your ideal one. Do you accept the reality or escape into a fantasy?

I invite you to ponder on these themes. If you are tired of thinking, then come and enjoy movement and lovely jazz rhythms

I began my dance journey in Rada Dance Theatre where I obtained a strong basis of classical ballet, character and jazz dance. After finishing the dance school I became interested in contemporary dance, took classes in ETA Dance School, Estonian Dance Academy, and various workshops. Since childhood I have been dreaming about becoming a dance teacher – and luckily this dream is fulfilled! At the moment I am captivated by different jazz dance styles and forms. I love jazz music which was the main source of inspiration for my production. I want to share this love with you!

Maarja Eliisabet Roosalu (BA 2018)

"Shallow sea"

Tuesday, January 9^th at 7 p.m in KUMU auditorium 

On stage: Elle Maria Viies, Karmen Teesi Pregel, Kertu Kasemets, Maryn-Liis Rüütelmaa, Allar Valge, Karl-Gustav Kasemaa, Mark Monak, Markus Monak
Light: Ants Kurist
Costumes: Susanna Peters
Music: jasperino
Photos: Harli Jaanimägi
Supervisor: Sille Kapper

I put my toes into the warm sea and think that it should reach both my ankles and the top of my head at the same time. I don’t know that before I haven’t jumped in. But it is terrifying to dive because I don’t know how deep is the sea. What if I drown there? Or get contused? What if the waves go over my head and I cannot get out? Will you jump in with me?

The sun is hot but I don't want to go yet. I want to be with you. Look into your eyes, hold your hand. In case we won’t arrive the same shore later.

I will give you this July Sun when I was so much afraid and didn’t know anything. When I was terribly afraid. When I didn’t know that the sea may be shallow.

I started from folk dance, but when growing up I became interested in contemporary dance and its different styles. I do think contemporary dance is closest to my heart, but lately street dance, in particular house has also captivated me. In my art and activities I try to combine everything I have come across. 

 

Helin Jürmann (BA 2018)

„00:00“

Wednesday, January 10^th and Thursday, January 11^th at 7 p.m in Stella Theatre

Dancers: Aleksandra Polokainen, Helin Jürmann, Katre Sabbal, Rea Haljasmäe, Richard Beljohin
Costumes: Krete Beljaev
Scenography: Kristi Kalmus
Cello: Angelika Anette Antsmäe
Make-up: Anya Manya, Karin Friedrichson
Music: Nine Inch Nails, Gustav Mahler, taTu, Tom Jones, Pet Shop Boys
Supervisor: Renee Nõmmik 

Each end has its beginning and transition. Periodic intermission where we all meet, all that has been fades and is saved. Time gives meaning and value to our actions. What would happen if we could re-visit the most crucial and greatest moments which have made us into what we are. How much old, lost or new is found? How many symbols, moments, world views, understandings, experienced could we list? Who makes decisions for us? Are all choices in our life only made and accepted by us?

According to a legend, little Helin was already dancing in her mother's womb, occupying a dance space there and causing various sleepless nights to both parties. Since then I haven't been able to stand still, and my life has become a permanent endless dance. The other side of me has been singing in the ETV music studio for 10 years and graduated cello playing from Tallinn Music School. My own composition is based on passion and people, a mixture of new experience and ancient winds, exciting ideas and concepts in an endless chain of change. Life for me is a dance in which everything has to be living, sharing, learning, developing and also unfocused.

Liise-Marie Valgi (BA 2018)

“By the bonfire”

Wednesday, January 10^th and Thursday, January 11^th at 7 p.m in Stella Theatre

Dancers: Ingrid Elsa Mugu, Maarja Eliisabet Roosalu, Kirsi Mari Lepik, Lisanna Tälli, Rando Luik, Richard Ploompuu.
Light: Ants Kurist
Music: Maarja Nuut
Supervisor: Sille Kapper 

What happens if two different phenomena meet? This is a production of something that is always repeated and still special. Both solstice and love have always contained something mysterious, joyous and sad. Ancient has always met something from the present. The same in this production which combines the elements of modern and traditional dance to see and show both from a new and unusual perspective.

Liise-Marie was active in dance already at the age of four. She began her studies in Kaie Kõrb Ballet Studio, but after 8 years there she continued her dance journey in dance ensemble Sõleke where is is dancing also now. “Do everything as if you were a great artist!”

 

Marta Jamsja (BA 2018)

I had a sincere intention to take a break from creating choreography on the theme of love and relationships. But I couldn’t escape from it. Who can escape from life? How can you throw love aside? I do hope it’s not possible. Every story has a million sides to it, depends from which side you look to it. Every side is unpredictable and weird. And at the end of the day all things are connected.

It can be said about Marta that she is like “the man from the forest”, because she has been there for 19 years of her life. But what brought her out from the soft moss to the streets of Tallinn? If she would only know herself, but the most probable answer might be her heart. In the university Marta has first and foremost learned about herself and dance has played an important part in it. To stop the last year at school flying by, Marta decided to go to Prague for a semester and make two dance films.

 

Anu Vask (MA 2018)

Analysis of the production process of dance piece „Reach“: definition and development of performative skills to create a dramaturgical whole“

When an actor is on stage, he have to be relaxed in a certain way to be believable, otherwise his talk and imagination are inhibited. When a dancer is entering improvisation, he has to be relaxed in a certain way as well. Both release themselves in their own medium, tune themselves to enter the condition. These conditions can be shared. But they cannot be fully understood if they are only talked about. In “Reach” a musician, dancer and actor shared their inners states. On stage and within the framework of a story. They made leaps from fixed agreements into the improvisation of their own medium. They experienced the rehearsed actions, learned slowly and with curiosity. Moved on the scale of states between high skills and inability.

Story „The eyes of a blue dog“ by E. M. Marquez, voice Donald Tomberg, actors Kadri Noormets and Triinu Lepp, musician Liina Amon, dancer Kaspar Aus, director Anu Vask.

“Reach” brought the theme of everyday loneliness, longing, closeness and love into contemporary theatre language.

Dance has persistently followed me, I began at the age of 7 with classical ballet and concert sow dance in Kohtla-Järve Vallatud group. I graduated from Viljandi Culture Academy as a dance teacher-choreographer. I have been employed professionally for 25 years and observed life via dance prism. To expand my horizons I have studied massage, emotional intelligence, action theatre, qigong, zen meditation and by now r 14 years Tibetan yantrayoga. I began my MA studies in Tallinn University to ponder on dance and philosophy, but also studying movement therapy. I have worked with babies and seniors, choreographed in youth music theatre, for children choirs, sports acrobats, students of dance, acting, and design.  As a performative artists I have participated in street art project PÕIKA! and being engaged with the activities of LAIK group. In private life I have been in a long-term relationship and am mother of two sons.