#rave #folk #ecstasy
People have always danced intensively together, and under various names, raves have always existed. In While we are here, Lisa Vereertbrugghen investigates the timeless desire to collectively dance hard. She invited Claire Godsmark, Dolores Hulan, Eimi Leggett and Castélie Yalombo Lilonge to collectively practice hardcore rave parallel to folk dances that celebrate joy and togetherness.
Without nostalgia and with no fixed vision of the future, the group brings to life a hybrid techno-folk dance. While we are here works against control and celebrates a collective physicality.
Lisa Vereertbrugghen has been researching hardcore techno sound and dance styles since 2014, through different formats in between performance, sound and installation. She attained a master’s degree in Cultural History (history of the body) at the University of Leuven and a degree in Choreography at the School for New Dance Development (SNDO) in Amsterdam.
She often works with long term collaborators Michael Langeder, Sophie Guisset, Vera Martins and Madison Bycroft. She also works as a dramaturg, performer and choreographer for various performance and visual artists in between Brussels, Berlin and Amsterdam and she teaches at the Académie Royale de Beaux Arts in Brussels. In recent years Lisa created Softcore - a hardcore encounter (2019) and DISQUIET - sensational aesthetics of a technokin (2021). While we are here (2023) will be the first work she makes for a group, produced by the Ghent based arts centre CAMPO.
Concept & Choreography Lisa Vereertbrugghen
Performance & Co-creation Claire Godsmark, Dolores Hulan/Taka Shamoto, Eimi Leggett, Castélie Yalombo Lilonge & Lisa Vereertbrugghen
Dramaturgy Simon Baetens & Sophie Guisset
Artistic advice Madison Bycroft
Sound Michael Langeder
Lights Vera Martins
Costumes Cee Fülleman
Song Lisa Vereertbrugghen & Michaela Riener
Folk expert Aurélie Giet
Production CAMPO
Technique Babette Poncelet & Korneel Coessens
Co-production Dans in Brugge (Concertgebouw, Cultuurcentrum & KAAP), Kunstenwerkplaats KWP, STUK Arts Centre, ICI — CCN Montpellier, Kunstencentrum BUDA, BIT teatergarasjen & Perpodium
With the support of the taxshelter of the Belgian Federal Government via uFund, the Flemish Government & the commission of the Flemish Community
