The company of Angelin Preljocaj, a French choreographer of Albanian origin, returns to the Festival with two of his earlier works, which demonstrated his inimitable style to the world and which have been performed for almost 20 years now. An exceptional company which regularly performs around the world, the company's founder has been bestowed with every possible French honour and the prestigious Bessie Award.

"There are many gifted dancers in India, but Alarmel Valli is a paragon. She is that rare thing - the solo performer who puts all others out of mind" is how the New York Times critic described the talented Indian dancer Alarmel Valli, who is giving two exclusive performances in the festival.

One of India's foremost exponents of classical bharatanatyam dance, Valli immerses her works with her own inimitable style of dance and poetry. Valli is the recipient of numerous awards, among which the two highest civilian prizes in India conferred on her by the President of India, the grand medal of the city of Paris, and the distinguished title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

The title of the work, "The Forgotten Seed", is a metaphor for long lost harmony and unity, and the work is a celebration of life, nature, dance and rhythm.

"Valli, a diamond in art." The Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Jerusalem, Gerard Behar Center May 25 and 26, 9 p.m. approx. 1 hr. 40 mins. without interval

A lecture in Hebrew on classical Indian dance given by Rachel Bilski-Cohen will be held on May 25 at 7.30 p.m., prior to the performance.

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For the past decade, the National Dance Company of Spain has been regarded as one of Europe's leading dance companies thanks to its artistic director Nacho Duato, who has transformed it into a dance company beyond compare, meriting its current international standing and prestige.

Three of Duato's most prominent works will be performed in the Festival: Gnawa (2007) - an exhilarating work conceived by Duato as homage to the cultural history of Spain and its Moslem heritage. The work is based on tribal traditions originating in Morocco and the sub-Sahara which combine vocals, music, dance and rituals as a means of reaching ecstasy.
Castrati (2002) - a tribute to the castrato singers, the cultural heroes of 18th century Europe, with their high vocal range. The dance is based on Vivaldi's music.
Por Vos Muero (For Thee I Die) (1996) - a tribute to the vital role played by dance in all types of social encounters in the Baroque period, and inspired by Spanish Baroque music.

"The sweep of Mr. Duato’s lush style combines a balletic vocabulary with modern dance’s sense of weight…" New York Times, October 2007

Jerusalem, Sherover Theatre May 30, 9 p.m. Two additional performances will be held at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv. approx. 2 hrs. with intervals

Choreographer Nacho Duato will speak with the audience following the performance on May 30. With the assistance of the Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) of the Spanish Foreign Ministry

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Artistic Director Gradimir Pankov

"Exquisite talent and exceptional athletic prowess" are just a few of the epithets used to describe the Canadian Grand Ballet of Montreal. Numbering 40 dancers, this vibrant company makes use of a broad range of styles characteristic of contemporary dance, with an extensive repertoire of works by renowned international choreographers including Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek and Ohad Naharin.

In their first visit to Israel, the company will perform two sublime works by esteemed choreographers: Noces (2002) choreography Stijn Celis, based on music by Stravinsky According to the New York Times critic, "if the other repertory Mr. Pankov has cultivated in Montreal is anywhere as good as Noces, we should see more of it - and these compelling dancers - as soon as possible." Cantata (2001) choreography Mauro Bigonzetti A powerful and dramatic work drawing on the music tradition of southern Italy, which was created after an encounter between Bigonzetti and a group of musicians from Naples. Cantata is accompanied by live music performed by Gruppo Musicale Assurd and includes Neapolitan serenades and 18th and 19th century lullabies.

"Cantata is a sensitive homage to the wild beauty of southern Italy…" Place des Arts Magazine, 2007 "The programming is full of eclectic mixed bills which grab the audience's attention" Houston Chronicle, 2008

Jerusalem, Sherover Theatre June 5, 1 p.m. Two additional performances will be held at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Tel Aviv. approx. 1 hr. 30 mins. with interval

With the assistance of the Quebec government and Air Canada

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Irregular Pearl / Rasa
Artistic Director and Choreographer Alonzo King

Like Bill T. Jones, Pilobolus, Alvin Ailey and more, America's Lines Ballet, which is touring Israel for the first time, succeeds in mesmerizing audiences through the magnificent ability of its dancers and the hypnotizing contrast of dark and fair-skinned dancers. Defined by critics as a "total artist", choreographer Alonzo King has created a unique dance idiom which draws from a variety of cultural traditions.

The company will present two works during the Festival: Irregular Pearl (2007) - infuses the classical form of ballet with a new vibrancy, and engages a dynamism and openness found in the origins of Baroque music. The work is set to music by Vivaldi, Corelli, Marin Marais, Sainte-Colombe and others. Rasa (2007) – set to music by one of the greatest tabla player of our times, Zakir Hussain, Rasa pays tribute to the tabla and explores the place of rhythm in contemporary western dance.

"Alonzo King possesses a magical science of movement and space" Le Monde "King's intimacy with ballet's multiple histories has made his choreography rich with the complex refractions that demonstrate a full command of the art's intricacies..." William Forsythe, Frankfurt Ballet

Jerusalem, Sherover Theatre June 6 and 7, 9 p.m. approx. 1 hr. 40 mins. with interval

Choreographer and artistic director Alonzo King will talk with the audience following the performance on June 6 and 7.

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Lines Ballet	210	189

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