Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in Rami Be’er’s Upon Reaching the Sun.  Photo by Gadi Dagon.

Just as the Batsheva Dance Company finishes its North American tour and returns home, another major Israeli dance troupe is hitting the road.  Known for its dynamo dancers and visually stunning works, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company will bring artistic director Rami Be’er’s Upon Reaching the Sun to locations throughout Germany and Italy this month.  Later this spring, KCDC will perform in the Ukraine, the U.S., Poland, and Romania; in the summer, the company will continue to Hungary, Austria, and Croatia, with a few more concerts in Poland.

Whereas most world-renowned dance companies embark on major foreign tours from their home country’s cosmopolitan cities, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company is launching its travels from a village: the Galilee Dance Village, located on Kibbutz Ga’aton in northern Israel.  This setup is so unique that it’s worth taking a closer look, and KCDC’s video “The Galilee Dance Village” – posted below – provides multiple perspectives of the company’s home.

(Video: Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, The Galilee Dance Village)

Video Notes

This video offers both historical background and a contemporary view of the Galilee Dance Village, home to Israel’s Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company.   Company founder Yehudit Arnon can be seen in brief bits of black and white footage, while new color footage displays artistic director Rami Be’er’s choreography and offers a peek into life as a dancer on the kibbutz.  Be’er talks about the concept of the company as well as his choreographic approach, while company dancers reflect on their experience living and dancing on Kibbutz Ga’aton.

Related Articles on Dance In Israel

• The Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company: Travel Journal

Related Links

• The Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company website
• Dance In Israel’s Events page - check KCDC’s website and this page for upcoming concert information