Drink and Dance Come and join us for a silent party! Let’s get loose and cast reason, excessive speculation, and hollow meanings aside! Come and feel the booze, relax, let go and drink till you drop! Drink and Dance literally means to drink and to dance – imagine yourself at a party, immersed in the throbbing and excessively loud music – what is left on your mind? Perhaps it is simply a blank state, what is left is the pure joy of overindulgence. If you’re on fire, fall. If you’re confused, go straight. If you drink, dance.
Creative Team
Concept, Creation and Performance
Chan Wai Lok Creation and Performance
Woo Yat Hei Props and Costume Design
Yan Cheng
About Unlock Unlock Dancing Plaza Unlock Dancing Plaza is a promising contemporary dance company founded in 2002 based in Hong Kong, with Ong Yong Lock as Artistic Director and Joseph Lee as Associate Artistic Director. Unlock is committed to pursuing innovative breakthrough and theatrical liberation. These commitments are embodied in and practised through its productions. The company focuses in reflecting dance on the basis of individual. Through defining dance in the uniqueness of a body and being free from the institutionalised aesthetics of dance, Unlock deeply believes, “Everyone can dance”. Curating cross-media, cross-regional, and experimental projects, Unlock Body Lab is developed to discover and show the possibilities of dance in various forms. #danceless includes a series of creative works, performances and workshops that are based on public participatory as the main way of artistic practise. It promotes and deepens the diversity of imagination of dance; facilitate the mutual exchange between artists and the public through experiencing dance together.
Unlock is a three-time Hong Kong Dance Awards recipient and highly recognised by the dance industry. Its representative works include Jump to Mars, Dance with me, Boy Story. Reborn, Wanderer, serial dance-theatre Walls 44, Chopin VS Ca, and etc. The company is financially supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council since 2009.
About #DANCELESS Complex #DANCELESS complex – Choreographic Methodology Based on the aesthetic basis that Unlock Dancing Plaza has gradually established through the years, the concept of #danceless is first proposed by Artistic Director Ong Yong Lock. By examining the mainstream, institutionalized dance training and aesthetics of dance, #DANCELESS complex develops another (or more than one) way of seeing, using, and connecting the body and mind. It is hoped that dance can enter more people’s lives in different forms and ways. As the major platform, #DANCELESS complex expands the whole concept to a larger scale,
trying to unify the direction of studies in recent years in a more complete curating context, plus, presenting and communicating with the industry and the public. The inaugural festival addresses the methodology that is less understood and talked about in the local dance community through five separate works corresponding to the theme of the platform, “Choreographic Methodology”. Channeling the classification as an angle to view and enter the work, and at the same time, provides a larger framework to express the understanding of each choreographer for the work and the process of creation. The platform is held from July to November 2021. In these five months, there will be a series of activities, including performances, residency programs, workshops and talks, which allow participants to further understand the work’s origin, process and motivations behind it; to unfold different levels of communication and extend the dense and short juncture in most dance festivals. This allows different cultures and perspectives to develop over time, supporting artists and participants to communicate organically. At the same time, a writer group was formed to bring dance records from comments only for particular works to various discussions about “choreography”. The possibilities of dance
commentary, choreography and views are explored from different perspectives, generating more ideas that can be discussed before and after the ephemeral performance, connect directly with the local dance community, and experiment with the way of archive. To plan such a platform for a dance company, to talk about #DANCELESS through dance is nothing more than to expand the existing definition of aesthetics and breakthrough behind different cultural contexts, in the hope of stimulating the local performing arts community and reflecting on itself. How dance, as one of the expressions that brings together perception, reason and primitiveness, connects people around the world today, sharing experiences and connecting with times. Only by opening up your mind, can you see more choices and freedom. Co-curators Ong Yong Lock, Joseph Lee Chief Editor (Dance writing) Dick Wong Dance Writing Chan Wai Lok, Dong Yan, Brian Yu Producer Michael Li International Public Relations and Marketing Wouter Bouchez Graphic Design Peter Bird Studio Videographer & Video Editor REDTEAM Programme Coordinator Yan Cheng Marketing Coordinator Chris Kwong
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Administration Coordinator Vincent Yik *The Arts Administration Internship Scheme is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Curators’ Word Dance led by the body – Perfection in a state of Imperfect Self-Control The third local program of #DANCELESS festival is the newly commissioned work by Chan Wai Lok called Drink and Dance, which is also the only outdoor performance of the entire festival. The inaugural #DANCELESS festival is centred around “Choreographic Methodology”, which tries to expand on the logic and approach to choreography in different cultures, with discussions on the process and context in which dance performances are constructed. For instance, Body Works operates in an open source and semi-autobiographical manner within a decentralized power construct; Cheung Lee Hung invites participation of the audience against the backbone of the text in I'm Only My Body?; whilst Kerry and Frieda utilizes reflection and time lapse in mirror images to manipulate the gaze between viewers and performers. The third program Drink and Dance is similarly direct in its title and work without the usual symbolisms and metaphors of dance. Choreographer Chan Wai Lok focuses the choreography on the purity of dance, the texture of movements and how the physical condition
affects performance. Dance is deeply rooted in the festivities, music and social gatherings of many cultures, and the work draws on these fundamental connections. The music from the duo’s earphones gets the bodies moving in search of the pleasures in dance, with alcohol as a catalyst that guides both performers through states of sobriety and inebriation. The body is no longer entirely at the beck and call of the performer as they attempt to execute precise movements while their consciousness gradually drifts. The physiological response is at a tugof-war with the established structures of the dance, which showcases a loss of control and an alternative type of performance. Fierce and intense moves are on display in a public space, but in silence, triggered and guided by the music resonating in their earphones. The audience can use their mobile phones to connect to the duo’s music, or choose their own music, or even watch in complete silence as the two bodies move and sway in the ambient soundscape. Viewers have a choice in different soundscapes, music and playlists, and the moment where the scene, movement and sound coincide or fall apart, produces meaning and resonance beyond expectations. Not only does the openness of the work allow performers to step into the unknown and the unpredictable in a dazed stupor under the booze, it also gives the audience space to listen,
feel, watch and interpret at their own pace. To reveal the state of hanging onto the edge of consciousness is another experiment that tests the limits of a performer’s body. Rather than executing movements as perfectly as possible, it unveils the limitations, the fragility, the will and the extreme tipping points of humans, as flesh and blood, within a contained framework. Of course, perhaps the creators couldn’t care less about how meaning unfolds from the viewer’s perspective. As rightly mentioned in the promotional blurb: “Let’s get loose and cast reason, excessive speculation, and hollow meanings aside!” Perhaps what is most important is the feeling of being together and sharing a sheer moment in dance and music – and will you recall those times when you were soused and squiffy on the dancefloor?
Chan Wai Lok Concept, Creation and Performance Chan is a choreographer and performer based in Hong Kong and Brussels. He completed his studies in P.A.R.T.S. (Belgium) in 2019 upon receiving scholarships from the [DNA] network supported by Creative Europe under the European Commission (2016-2018) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund (2018-2019). He previously studied in SEAD (Austria) after graduating from the Architecture Studies in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His latest solo Click in 2021 unfolds perspectives in performativity and choreography. Democratic interpretation and emancipation in audience is also one of the major genres he has been exploring in his solo Everyone knows what it means to think (2019) and his collaboration with Mariana Miranda, /bI’twi:n/ (2019). In 2020, he, together with his fellows, established an independent art space, ngau4 gat1 dei6, which is an art project exploring how to operate and sustain such art space in local art scene, and sharing spatial resources with fellow artists. Artist website: https://wailokchan.com/
Choreographer's Notes Lok The desire to dance and drink is likely why this performance was born. It is as simple as that. It brings dance to life in front of the audience, with alcohol as the catalyst. It is just as simple as that.
Woo Yat Hei Creation & Performance Woo is a dancer, actor, and choreographer based in Hong Kong. He started dancing contemporary at the age of 16. He then obtained a BFA in Contemporary Dance from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. During his study, He has worked with choreographers such as Kuik Swee Boon, Rick Nodine, John Utans, Li Yong-jing and Christina Mertzani. He has joined CND Camping 2019 in Paris and research with the artists Robyn Orlin and Raphael Delaunay. As a performer, he has collaborated with artists across the field of dance, drama and film. His recent participation include The Formidable Year by MW Dance Theatre; Unfolding Images: We Are Spectacle(s) by Joseph Lee; Jumping Frames Over Here? by Zelia ZZ Tan; 19 by Oscar Wan; The Kingdom of Men by Anson Sham Kwan Yin; The Lost Adults, Papa, Zhenghe, 1357 by Théâtre de la Feuille As a choreographer he has created a physical duet A Noble Failure (2018), he has also collaborated with circus artist Patrick Pun and created Ball, Shoes and Diablo for STAGE Creators Collective.
#DANCELESS complex event listing #DANCELESS complex Relatively LIVE The performance questions how relationships are formed, overturned and subverted. Gazing at the various ways and forms of understanding how the audience-actor relationship is perceived in contemporary society.
In the air between our ___ Concept, Creation and Performance
Emily Ng, Li Ka Man
LIVE Concept, Creation and Performance
Lawrence Lau, Holmes Cheung, Sabrina Wong 1 - 2/10 (Fri-Sat) 20:00; 3/10 (Sun) 15:00 Venue Kwai Tsing Theatre, Black Box Theatre Price $180 Date and Time
Tickets are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on internet, by mobile app My URBTIX (Android and iPhone versions) and telephone Ticketing http://www.urbtix.hk/internet/eventDetail/42449
#DANCELESS complex – Bodily Games Li Ka Man X Chan Wai Lok X Henrique Furtado X Aloun Marchal Residency: Work-in-Progress Presentation 30/9 (Thur) Time 20:00 Venue Unlock Dancing Plaza Fee $50 Date
Registration https://unlock-bibihabibi.eventbrite.hk
Freesteps workshop by Su Wei Chia 15/10 (Fri) Time 15:00 - 17:00 Target Dancers or Physical performers with professional training background Fee $200 Date
Public Participants Session (1) 15/10 (Fri) Time 19:30 - 21:00 Target Aged 12 or above, no performance experience needed Fee Free of charge Date
Elderly Participants Session 16/10 (Sat) Time 10:30 - 12:00 Target Aged 50 or above, no performance experience needed Fee Free of charge Date
Public Participants Session (2) 16/10 (Sat) Time 15:00 - 16:30 Target Aged 12 or above, no performance experience needed Fee Free of charge Date
Venue
JC Cube, Tai Kwun
The workshops will be conducted in Mandarin. Public Participants Session(1), Public Participants Session (2), Elderly Participants Session Registration: www.taikwun.hk/zh/programme/detail/danceless-complex/853
Professional Dancers Session Registration: https://freestepsworkshop.eventbrite.hk
Lawrence Lau X
Holmes Cheung X
Sabrina Wong
Emily Ng X
Li Ka Man
Relatively LIVE Time 1-2/10 (Fri-Sat) 20:00; 3/10 (Sun) 15:00 Venue Kwai Tsing Theatre, Black Box Theatre Price $180
Artists Team Artistic Director Ong Yong Lock Associate Artistic Director Joseph Lee Resident Choreographer KT Yau #
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Resident Artists Andy Lee, Kerry Cheung , James Yau
Administration Team Project Manager Michael Li Outreach Officer Tiffany Ko *
Programme and Marketing Trainee Chris Kwong Transmedia Content Creator Vincent Yik Community Arts Mediator John Wen Accounting Officer (Part-time) Amy Chan Administrative Assistant (Part-time) Choi Ka Lin
*The Arts Administration Internship Scheme is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council #Employed on contract basis
Presented By
Programme Partner
Marketing Partner
Media Partners
Acknowledgement
"#DANCELESS complex" is financially supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Unlock website www.unlock.com.hk #DANCELESS complex website www.dancelesscomplex.com Facebook www.facebook.com/unlockdancing Instagram www.instagram.com/unlockdancingplaza Youtube www.youtube.com/UnlockDancingPlaza