Montenegro
The Montenegrin National Theater
Susana B. Williams, Director of Dance Forms Productions, has chosen the Montenegrin National Theatre in Podgorica, Montenegro to present "The 58th International Choreographers' Showcase."
Those interested in an exciting program of contemporary dance are invited to attend performances of "The 58th International Choreographers' Showcase" at the Montenegrin State Theatre on May 29 and 30, 2012 at 20:00 hours. Seating is limited so pick up the phone and make your reservations now! Two performances only! For reservations call (502) 222-2273 or e-mail Dance-Forms Productions at any time. Our e-mail is danceformspro@aol.com
Montenegrin National Theatre, Podgorica
ul. Stanka Dragojevica br.18.
Tickets: 10.00/ 6.00 Euros Box office: +38181/243-476
Program
"Esperanza"
Premiered at the HB Arnold Fine Arts Center in Panama City Beach, Florida on February 18, 2011
Choreography: Susana B. Williams/ Music: Bach, "Air on a G String"
Performance: Susana B. Williams
Sponsored by Friends of Dance-Forms Productions
Susana B. Williams
Photo by Peggy Wiltz
Susana B. Williams is co-founder, current director of DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS and the creator of "THE INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN CHOREOGRAPHERS' SHOWCASE" a branch of Dance-Forms Productions presenting the collaborative work of distinguished choreographers at prestigious international events. On May 5, 2003 Williams received the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for her work as ambassador of good will and fellowship around the world, as well as for her contributions to Kentucky and her special achievements in the art of dance and choreography. Williams is one of a selected group chosen from the United States to serve on the Nijinsky Awards 2002 Experts Commitee. The Nijinsky Awards Gala, officiated by her Royal Highness Caroline Princess of Hanover was held at Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco on December 14, 2002. Most recently, she served as adjudicator for the Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship for Dance Performance. Williams is a contributing writer for Revista Danza: www.danzarevista.com
Williams received her BA in Dance Direction from the Superior School of Arts at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala, as well as degrees in Arts and Education from the English American School of Guatemala, the University of Paris in France, and Farber und Form Experimental School in Zurich, Switzerland. Williams graduated with honors from the National School of Dance of Guatemala and received scholarships with the School of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the National Ballet of Mexico, and Nina Vyroubova Dance Institute in Paris, France. As a choreographer, she is interested in expressing myth through dance. Her dances communicate the spaces and rhythms, shapes and forms found within the archetypal world of myth. Her work is a Jungian process of self-discovery, revealing the unconscious mind through the body. Her focus is creating a movement-vocabulary capable of expressing themes, which have not yet been uttered in the language of contemporary dance.
Williams is one of the finalist choreographers awarded at the 1993, 7th Saitama International Choreography Competition in Japan. She is a recipient of the 1988-89 Kentucky's Al Smith Fellowship for Choreography and the first choreographer receiving the Individual Artist Professional Development Award from the same organization. Williams' choreography has been produced by national dance companies in Central America, arts festivals in the United States, México, France, Japan, Lithuania.
With 'Dance-Forms' she presented her work in more than 1000 professional presentations including performances at The Kentucky Center in Louisville, Kentucky, Theatre de la Danse Golovine in Avignon, France, Centre de Danse du Marais and Le Regard du Cygne in Paris, France, Centro Cultural "Miguel Angel Asturias" in Guatemala City, Teatro de la Danza of the Fine Arts Institute in México City, the Vienna Weeks Festival in Vienna, Austria, the Youth Theater in Vilnius, and the Drama Theater in Kaunas, Lithuania, Proyecto Cultural El Sitio in Antigua, Guatemala, Teatro del Estado in Xalapa, Veracruz, México, Schouwburg Amstelveen in Amstelveen, Holland, The International Dance Fair NRW 2000 in Essen, Germany, the Monaco Danses Dances Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Teatro Pedro Díaz in Córdoba and Teatro Netzahualcoyotl in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, México, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, The Youth Theater in Novi Sad, the Belgrade Drama Theater in Serbia, La Marató de l'Espectacle in Barcelona, Spain, La Maratón de la Danza in Madrid, Spain, Sala Cuarta Pared in Madrid, Spain, the Montenegrin National Theater in Podgorica, Montenegro "The 20th, 21st, 22nd World Dance Conference" in Athens, Greece, Festival Estivo of the University of Dance in Giovinazzo di Bari in Bari, Italy, ArteDanse in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, the HB Arnold Fine Arts Center in Panama City Beach, Florida and a tour of nine major cities throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri.
"Light"
Premiered at Sala Cuarta Pared in Madrid, Spain on June 20, 2011
Choreography: Ana Luisa Johnson / Music: Martinetes tradicional arranged by Sinouj and El Guadiana
Costume and make-up design: Ana Luisa Johnson / Lighting design: Clayton Spada
Performer: Anna Luisa Johnson
Influenced by photography and nature, choreographer/dancer, Ana Luisa Johnson will present her solo "Light". In order to create her style of dance for this choreography she literally had to stop dancing and look carefully at what ballet, flamenco and Butoh did to her mind, body and soul. Then she realized that after having allowed them to enter, live and grow in her, contemporary dance was not ignored but nurtured. Performed by Ana Luisa Johnson, "Light" is elusive and mysterious. It is the force driving all life. It determines how we perceive everything we perceive in our existence.
Ana Luisa Johnson was born in Mexico in 1974, in the City of Matamoros in the State of Tamaulipas. Ana Luisa began choreographing and performing her solo dance works at the age of thirteen, and became a professional dancer at the age of nineteen. She has been a dancer for the Taggart Ballet Theater Company, a soloist for Nouveau Chamber Ballet, and Ballet Turning Circle Company, and has also danced with various Flamenco groups. Her choreographic work "Ghost of El Toro" was published in the book "The Edge of Air" by The Legacy Project. She directed and performed in the video "Ghost of El Toro" presented at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. She did the choreography and performance for "The Sacrifice" video presented at a number of venues around the world, including the California Museum of Photography in Riverside, the Vancouver Film Festival, and the Rooftop Film Festival in New York. In 2008 she had the honor to be a guest artist for the Choi Seung-hee Dance Festival in Hongcheon, South Korea under the artistic direction of Chil Han.
Two performances only! Make your reservations now! By phone calling Dance-Forms Productions at (502) 222-2273 or by e-mail sending your message to danceformspro@aol.com
An Invitation from the Director
Dear Choreographers,
On May 28, 2012 a group of distinguished choreographers will arrive in Podgorica, Montenegro to be featured in "The 58th International Choreographers' Showcase" a presentation of Dance-Forms Productions to be held at the Montenegrin National Theater on May 29 and 30, 2012.
This exciting trip offers choreographers an excellent opportunity to perform their work, make contact with the press, numerous dance directors, producers, presenters, other artists, (hopefully to negotiate new engagements!) and to earn a share of the revenue from ticket sales of two performances. A dynamic platform for the promotion and presentation of contemporary dance, "The International Choreographers' Showcase" was first presented at Festival Off d'Avignon in Avignon, France in July and August 1994. Since then "The International Choreographers' Showcase" has delighted international audiences with presentations of outstanding contemporary dance.
I invite choreographers who are willing to invest in themselves and who are interested in expanding their knowledge of other cultures, as well as promoting their work abroad. I invite choreographers who see this thrilling event as an opportunity to benefit their professional development. You receive a complete production package, which includes: the theater, lighting, sound, technical assistance, publicity, pre-show rehearsal arrangements, printed materials, printed programs, and hotel accommodation based on two persons sharing twin bedded rooms with private bath/shower.
To find out how to qualify, and the investment required, call my office at (502) 222-2273. Remember, the space is limited, so please call right away. You may call from Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. Eastern Time. After we have spoken be prepared to submit your professional resume, 4 full body pictures for publicity, program notes, and a VHS video with samples of the work you will present. Remember, the space is limited, so pick up the phone and contact us now! You may e-mail us at any time. Our e-mail is: danceformspro@aol.com
Dance the World with Dance-Forms Productions! Let's do it now!
Don't wait, if you have further questions, you can check our FAQ page, e-mail us by clicking on danceformspro@aol.com or speak personally with me by calling (502) 222-2273.
I look forward to your participation, and to greeting you in Podgorica.
Susana B. Williams
Director
DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS
Welcome to Montenegro
Montenegro is situated on the Adriatic coast, north of Albania, south of Croatia and opposite the 'heel' of Italy. It also shares borders with Bosnia-Herzogovina and Serbia. It is a comparatively small country with an area of 13,812 Km2 and a population of 650,575 (1998 estim). Being dominated by mountains and forests the population tends to cluster around a number of large and small towns with only one recognised city. The modern capital is Podgorica (formerly known as Titograd) with a population of almost 160,000 people. It is the administrative and commercial centre of Montenegro with a nearby international (but small) airport. Cetinje is the ancient capital and cultural heartbeat of the country. It is almost a university town with a young population of over 20,000.
Choreographers and dancers participating in "The 34th International Choreographers' Showcase" enjoyed their lunch at the Zeleni Gaj restaurant in Budva
The towns and population centres of Montenegro can be divided into three main areas - the Coast, the plains and the highlands. The coastal resorts, towns and harbours of Herceg Novi, Kotor, Budva, Bar and Ulcinj are the most important sources of revenue due to the high level of tourism during the summer. The next string of towns are behind the coastal mountains on the Montenegrin plains along the river Zeta. Here the important commercial, administrative and industrial towns of Podgorica, Danilovgrad and Niksicare are to be found. Just to the south of these at the foot of Lovcen is the ancient capital of Cetinje. Other large towns like Kolasin, Plav, Savnik, Bijelo Polje, Rozaj and Zabljak located in the highlands are dependent on Timber, mining and domestic tourism.
Podgorica is a cultural center of Montenegro. Atypical spaces of galleries of Podgorica offer unique feeling of art, portrait of one nation and its culture. Bards of Montenegrin painting present their pieces of art in the exhibit halls of Podgorica, while exhibitions of artists from abroad are not a rarity here either. The Palace of the Petrovic with the old Palace chapel and Perjanicki dom (House of Montenegrin King's bodyguards) represents a special monument of culture and art-exhibition center. City museums possess displays from late and early past of the city, valuable archeological collection with archeological finds in the vicinity of Podgorica.
Quite often Podgorica happens to be a real scene of cultural manifestations in the organization of cultural centers like the fascinating gallery and concert space in the former Winter Palace of King Nikola I. The Palace was built in 1891 and given as a gift to Prince Mirko. As of September 1, 1984, the Palace was turned into the Gallery of Art of Non-aligned Countries "Josip Broz Tito." At the time of the cultural rise of this institution, many exhibitions of artists from Algeria, India, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines, Ecuador, Mali, Bolivia, Uganda, Cyprus etc, were organized in its exhibiting halls. Artists from India, Cyprus, Angola, Sri Lanka etc, as a part of their study trip, worked in its studios. Displays of this rich treasury are a part of the permanent exhibition of the Palace on the third floor. As of 1995, The Palace of the Petrovic is a part of the CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER. The permanent exhibition of the gallery has 1500 displays. Contemporary Montenegrin painters exhibit in this specific gallery space, while collective and thematic exhibitions of artists from the country and abroad as well as exhibitions of archeological findings from the area of Montenegro and Yugoslavia are exhibited here with regularity. The art complex of the Palace of the Petrovic also consists of a Mini Theater, and "Perjanicki dom" which is a unique exhibit-scene space.
The Montenegrin National Theater
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Paolo Baccarini, Susana B. Williams, Laura Balis, Tamara Vujosevic-Mandic and members of Ballo Dance Company at the reception offered at the Montenegrin National Theater
Podgorica is proud of its theatre life. CNP (Montenegrin National Theatre), the temple of culture, cherishes the tradition of a prominent national theatre. Thanks to the numerous visits of world known artists the theater has received international acclaim. The Montenegrin National Theatre was founded in 1953, in the beginning as a city theatre, under the name of "Titograd National Theatre." The initial idea was to create a strong theatre that would meet all requirements and assumptions of a national theatre. Although the Montenegrin has been operating with all the attributes of the national theatre it was until 1969 that the institution was finally recognized as such. The Montenegrin National Theatre has been the working place of all the prominent actors from the Montenegrin area. In 1989 the building burnt down, but it was rebuilt to embody a new era of theatrical experience in Podgorica opening in May of 1997. The first theater's night lit up with Njegosh' "The Mountain Wreath" directed by Branislav Micunovic. The works of Shakespeare, Njegosh, Krleza, Palon, Arthur Miller, O'Neil, Marinkovic, Fazbinder, Zene were presented as well as works by Miodrag Bulatovic, Mihailo Lalic, Cedo Vukovic, and others. The theatre represents and promotes dramatists from the area of Montenegro among them M. Kavaja, Sreten Perovic, Slobodan Tomovic, Igor Bojovic. Permanent directors in shorter and longer time intervals have been Vasilij Scuckin, Ilija Nikolic, Nikola Vavic, Blagota Erakovic. Invited directors include Minja Dedic, Alojz Ujez, Vida Ognjenovic, Egon Savin, Branka Stavrev. At the vanguard of the National Theatre are the actors Boro Begovic, Veljko Mandic, Nada Blazevic, Zlata Raicevic, Slobodan Aligrudic, Vladimir Popovic, Dragica and Petar Tomas, Branislav Vukovic, Bane Popovic.
Montenegro Museums
Choreographer Winifred R. Harris seating outside the Museum in Cetinje
Diversified archeological material found on the area of nowadays metropolis follow the rich history of the city from the ancient Byrziminium to modern Podgorica. Decorative and valuable jewelry from the time of the ancient classical period is in the City Museum, and late classical period of Duklja, necropolis on the grounds of which Podgorica was built up, is presented in the Archeological collection of Montenegro. The unique collection that represents Montenegrin 19th century is kept in Medun in the Museum of Marko Miljanov, the most significant memorial museum of this type. Flora and fauna of the ecological state of Montenegro is presented in the Natural History Museum. The Museum of the City of Podgorica located at Miljana Vukova 59, Tel: 081/ 632 006 was founded in 1950 within the institution "Museums and Galleries of the City." The Museum encompasses four thematic entities: archeological, ethnographic, historical and cultural-historical. The valuable collection of the homeland museum consists of displays originating from the time of ancient classical period to the XX century. Roman fibula, Illyrian jewelry, old coins, objects made of metal and bones that were used in everyday life point to the existence of settlements and influences of different civilizations and cultures on this area.
The Archeological Collection of Montenegro
8, Vuka Karadzica Street Tel: 081 / 631- 349
The Archeological Collection of Montenegro was founded in 1961. The collection is engaged in collection, arrangement, expert maintenance, studying and presentation of archeological excavation sites in the Republic and takes care of movable archeological material. More significant projects of the Archeological collection are: "Research, Conservation and Presentation of the Archeological Locality," "Archeology of the Basin of the Skadar Lake," "Archeological Map of Montenegro" (archeological reconnoiter of Montenegro's territory), "Archeological Research on the Area of the National Park Durmitor"and "Exploration of Paleolithic Lairs in the Canyon of Moraca." In 1997 the archeological collection was transformed into the Center for Archeological Research of Montenegro
Skadar lake
The lake is the most beautiful temple of stone and water in the Balkans.
The Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans with numerous islands and rare wildlife species. There is almost no visitor who passed through Montenegro without being astonished with the beauty and serenity of the lake in the middle of the harsh rocks. This is the place that holds the traces of the oldest Montenegrin tradition: Lesendro, the island where the fortifications were built, represents the eternal torch of Montenegrin freedom; Zabljak Crnojevica, a fortification from the time of Vojislavljevici was the place of residence of Crnojevici; Obod Crnojevica, is the place where the oldest Montenegrin printing house was located. Balsici left behind their own endowments here. At Beska, Jelena Balsic built a monastery and was buried in it. Starcevo presented to its people Stampar Makarije. According to tradition this is the place of the tomb of Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin whose remains were brought here from Venice by his son. When you reach Starcevo by boat then you climb up the paths known only to frequent visitors to the island as to reach the monastery and the shelter on the top. The lake cherishes legends and stories about the first fugitive from the island-casemate Grmozur, former Turkish fortress. When King Nikola turned this casemate into the prison, the prisoners were able to see only the sky and the internal walls of the prison. And when the first prisoner residents of Grmozur nowadays. Vranjina is the only inhabited island. A vivid fishermen village is sited at the very shore of the Lake, and the church is above it, a remnant of former Monastery complex built by King Nikola I on the grounds of the temple from the II century from the time of Ilarion. The King had seven daughters and being uncertain that all of them would get married, he built this monastery to be left to them after his death. However, each princess got married, and Vranjina stayed without its beautiful residents.
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