Hip Hop, the USA and Mediterranean dance
17 June until 15 July 2010: The Innsbruck Summer Dance Festival ‘Tanzsommer’ Taking place for the sixteenth time in 2010, the Innsbruck Tanzsommer will once again bring top class dance performances to the Innsbruck Dogana. In addition to the stage programme, the festival also provides a platform for young talents including perfomances by the ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ and various other projects.

The international main programme this year is marked this year by dance forms from the United States and the Mediterranean areas of France and Spain. The dance company Biarritz, founded in 1998 by choreographer Thierry Malandin and based in the town of the same name, convinces through exquisite grace and elegance. Incorporating classical dance moves, the trademarks of Malandin’s artistic concept are enchanting tableaux and magical moods.

Diavolo, led by Jacques Heim, will introduce a distinctively acrobatic element to the Innsbruck Tanzsommer. With spectacular dance moves and witty gags this US American ensemble ranks among the most unusual contemporary dance troupes. Ailey II brings back memories of the enthusiastically acclaimed performance by the Alvin Ailey dance company in 2002. Also the current programme consists of short, concisely told stories focusing on the way of life and music of African Americans.

With Ballett Marseille the festival’s main programme returns once more to France, presenting a passionate and dynamic dance typical of choreographer Frederic Flamand with utopian, urban scenes against a stage set designed by Zaha Hadid. On an interesting side note, the Nordkettenbahn funicular station by Zaha Hadid located right outside the festival venue at Congress Innsbruck, ranks among the town’s leading architectural landmarks.

The programme dedicated to young talents will focus this year on three main areas: The Stars of Tomorrow will perform at two gala events, ‘Solaris’ and Lunaris’, featuring, among others, The Dance Empire of Miami, Michelle Latimer Dance Academy and Company Dance Traverse. As the Urban Dance Theatre takes to the stage, Innsbruck’s Hip Hop scene will give proof of its dance skills, while Tanz die Toleranz is a joint performance by 80 youngsters from various backgrounds who have made the Tyrol their home.

It goes without saying that also this year Tanzsommer Innsbruck will put on matinees for students interested in a dancing, as well as youth and adults work shop programmes.

Information: Tanzsommer Veranstaltungs GmbH, tel. +43-512-561561,

office@tanzsommer.at, www.tanzsommer.at