Les Etés de la Danse Festival in Paris 2014 promises another superb, culturally enriching experience. The festival was begun in 2005 as a means of bringing the art form of dance to a larger audience. Such a laudable aim has met with undeniable success as attendance has increased steadily each year. 2013 saw 25,000 attendees, and this year is fully expected to continue the upward trend.
The concept is essentially a simple one. Each year a dance company of international repute is invited to stage a series of performances, and a suitably large and impressive venue is chosen so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to attend. This year the Théâtre du Châtelet plays host to the event, which takes place from July 10th to 26th. In addition to the performances there are open classes and screenings for professionals and semi-professionals of 12 years and up. Exhibitions and an educational programme are also scheduled for the duration of the festival.
The first guest dance company in 2005 was the San Francisco Ballet, perhaps the most prestigious in the USA, noted for a rich and diverse repertoire and supreme talent. They have been asked to return this year, along with their artistic director, Helgi Tomasson. Eighteen performances are scheduled, each presenting a unique ballet, and nine of which are premiering in France. Included are works by Yuri Possokhov, Hans van Manen and Christopher Wheeldon. This is a golden opportunity to see some of the world’s finest dancers perform in an appropriately exquisite venue.
Les Etés de la Danse Festival
Théâtre du Châtelet, 1 Place du Châtelet, Paris 1
Hotel Paris France, a charming 2-star hotel near the Louvre
Picture copyright holder : San Francisco Ballet - Symphonic Dances - © Erik Tomasson