THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) led by its executive director Al Ryan Alejandre, deputy executive director Marichu Tellano, and Dr. Shirley Halili-Cruz who heads the National Dance Committee, bring Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival from April 29 to May 2, 2020 to the Province of Iloilo.
For years, Dance Xchange has been a venue of celebrating dance, a platform for dance discourse and exchange of ideas, an opportunity for networks, and broadening community access to the arts. It was conceptualized as a Philippine celebration of the International Dance Day and in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 154, declaring the last week of April as the “National Dance Week.” This event has been held in Negros Oriental, in the Province of Capiz, National Capital Region, Province of Cebu, City of Puerto Princesa and in the Province of Isabela.
This year, with partners from the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Province of Iloilo, City of Iloilo, Municipality of Pototan, and the University of San Agustin, Dance Xchange banners the theme “Connecting Cultures for Peace and Unity through Dance.”
The Dance Xchange aims to 1) enhance knowledge and skills of the dancers, dance teachers and choreographers on dances of the different countries as a creative expression of their culture, 2) strengthen network among dance groups from different countries, 3) showcase the unique dances of each country to enhance cultural understanding, 4) provide a platform for discussion and sharing on the global trends on dance and 5) harness the potential of the Philippines and of the Province of Iloilo to be a cultural destination for dance in Asia.
The Dance Xchange will also be participated in by 15 foreign dance groups and 28 dance groups from the different parts of the Philippines representing the various dance genre – traditional and indigenous dances, ballet, contemporary, modern jazz and hip-hop.
The Dance Xchange will have activities such as international dance workshop, events management seminar, outreach workshops and performances for local dancers from the different cities and municipalities, festival of dance performances, international dance costumes exhibit, food, dance and wellness fair, Dance Xchange Unity Run, and cultural tours.
One of the highlight activities is the International Conference on Dance Research happening from April 30 to May 1. Among the topics to be discussed in the conference are the cultural foundations of dance, dance education and documentation, dance performance and production, and dance’s role in society.
The Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges expressed their support to the Dance Xchange and encouraged the local communities and the academe to participate in the said event.
With the active participation of the international community of dancers to the annual Dance Xchange, the event has seen positive interaction and learning exchange aimed to enhance knowledge and skills of the dancers, dance teachers and choreographers on dances of the different countries as a creative expression of their culture./PN
