Three intense days where dance was unquestionably the absolute protagonist.
“Through three important thematic axes – says Patrizia Lo Sciuto, dancer and choreographer – such as the thought of dance, live performance and dance in society – we had the honor of highlighting dance as a universal language of inclusion, without cultural and physical barriers. I would therefore like to thank the MeMa association for the partnership, the participants, the speakers, the performers and the audience. It was a privilege to be able to share three days of art, culture and inclusion through the wonderful universe of dance.”
“The event which concludes this cycle of events dedicated to contemporary dance – underlines the artistic director of MeMA, Giovanni De Santis – it is, for MeMa, a field testimony of its new programmatic horizon, which aims to overcome the physical boundary of territoriality and the thematic one linked exclusively to music and the organization of shows. Our intent is to cultivate and support the multiple expressions of the art represented and to work so that the show is also a tool for inclusion and improvement of the quality of life in our communities.”
On the first day, in the evocative baroque setting of the ‘Chiesa Sant’Alberto’, home of the concert season of the MeMa association, homage was paid to Steve Paxton, luminary of dance and inventor of Contact Improvisation, whose artistic contribution goes far beyond boundaries of dance. The conference, held by dance scholar and critic Daniela Cecchini, allowed us to delve deeper into Paxton’s extraordinary legacy and his impact on the world of dance since the 1970s, encouraging new ways of expressing and listening to the world.
Sold out on the second day, characterized by a series of live performances, which fascinated and excited the audience present. From the evocative solos of the repertoire of the Compagnia Moto Armonico Danza, directed by Betty and Patrizia Lo Sciuto, to the magnificent duo “Amelia” played by Priscilla Pizziol and Edoardo Sgambato, the dance was able to flow with harmony, poetry and refinement.
Finally, on the day of April 29th in which dance is celebrated every year, the meeting “Dance is for everyone” was held in collaboration with the Municipality of Erice, at the “Peppino Impastato” Centre, in which The ‘Dance Movement Therapy’ workshop conducted by the dancer and educator Giuliana Martinez was presented, concretely demonstrating the transformative power of dance, especially when it is aimed at people with disabilities.
After greetings from the Mayor of the Municipality of Erice Daniela Toscano, the Councilor for Culture Rossella Cosentino and the Councilor for Public Education Carmela Daidone, the president of the association “The lights of after us” Anna Vattiata underlined the importance of practice of artistic activities such as dance for young people with disabilities, as it allows them to improve the psychophysical sphere and to relate in groups.
At the end of these three days, with great public participation and general enthusiasm, dance in its universal language demonstrated that it is capable of overcoming every difference and uniting us in a single harmony.
