Imagine being born, raised and educated in France, the country of the Rights of Man. Imagine learning French history and literature in school, speaking French as your native language, buying your morning croissant at the local bakery and yet not being considered French by most of the society around you. Imagine facing racism in the job...
Urban Corps: Battle of the Dance Crews The closing event of the festival is the true embodiment of Urban Corps’ message of cultural exchange. This final performance unites French performers with local talents from Urban Artistry and DCypher for a cross-cultural take on the tradition of battling dance crews. Join us at 9pm in...
The fifth performance of Urban Corps is “Tour of Duty,” by Compagnie KLP. A group of friends in 1960s Brooklyn reminisces about the trying times of their past, questioning social, economic, and cultural standards while simultaneously sharing the story of the birth of hip-hop. This historic dance fresco, which was partly created in New York City...
The fourth show of Urban Corps is “N,” by Compagnie De Fakto. During the end of his life, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is confined to a wheelchair. Dancer and choreographer Aurélien Kairo presents the fantasized story of his continued, internal passion for dance. Aurelien Kairo has danced with some of the greatest contemporary ...
This conference features panelists, Alain-Philippe Durand and Junious Brickhouse During this talk, panelist Alain-Philippe Durand, French born professor of U.S. and French hip-hop cultures at the University of Arizona, accompanied by Junious “House” Brickhouse, urban dance expert and founder/director of Urban Artistry, will discuss the rise of hip-hop in two distinctly unique cultures. Exploring how ...
The third performance of Urban Corps is “Three Wise Monkeys,” by Compagnie Par-Allèles Inspired by three urban arts (hip-hop, capoeira and acrobatics) Par-Allèles’ “The Three Wise Monkeys” explores human beings’ ability to see and analyze, to hear and interpret, to speak and transmit. These senses offer an intense intellectual and emotional growth but also push...
The second performance of Urban Corps is “Le Petit Bal 2 Rue,” by Compagnie De Fakto. In “Le Petit Bal 2 Rue” two dancers pull out all the stops for an audition in front of 1950s film actor, André Bourvil, in this charming mix of contemporary dance, hip hop, and classic French movies. For this ...
The first performance of Urban Corps is “Entre Deux,” by Cie. Stylistic “Entre Deux” is a solo performance that questions identity and how outside experiences shape who we become. “I wanted to restate my repulsion of all prejudices and bring up-front the doubts and questions life confronted me with. They shaped me, helping me...
The Alliance sends un grand merci! to all of the performers, technicians, partners, and guests who made Small is More possible! An ambitious project from the beginning, the Alliance is prouder than ever to have been able to welcome such a creative, daring group of artists as a part of our spring cultural season. This...
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Apr 12, 2012 • 167 views •
The famous American concept of “food for thought” was taken to an entirely different level by les soeurs Martin (the Martin sisters). Last Tuesday evening, a hungry audience attended the Fairfax Hotel in D.C’s Dupont Circle for what promised to be an out-of-the-ordinary plated dinner. The palettes of the attendees were enticed by a menu...
The Soeurs Martin explain the zany title of their performance as well as the role of the artist in society in this interview. AF: Could you please explain your choice for the menu? What made you choose certain dishes? SM: To tell the truth we didn’t choose the menu. We requested the traditional mussels and...
Lise Duclaux tells the Alliance why she decided to use stamps as a form of art to express the poetry in the day-to-day dolldrums of administrative office work. AF: How did you come up with this performance? I start to make stamps for my plant certificates [another installation/performance] (Les plantes de Bruxelles), and discover...
Reclaiming Identity: French minorities take back their voice through hip-hop