New things to expect at this year's 'Got to Move' dance movement
Singapore’s annual dance movement ‘Got to Move‘ is set to return this October for the third time with ‘a refreshed format’ and ‘expanded programming’ for the public to appreciate dance.
These include an interactive ‘dance performance installation’, an augmented dance experience web-app, a ‘ladies first’ dance programme, and also workshops for the disabled, the National Arts Council (NAC) revealed on Friday (15 September).
From 13 to 29 October, the ‘Got to Move’ initiative will offer over 220 dance programmes and activities across various dance schools, pop-up events around the island. Additionally, a dance carnival, Got to Move SPOTLIGHT, will end the festival.
As part of the activities in this year, dance duo ScRach Marcs will be having a ‘dance performance installation’ at various locations in Singapore.
28-year-old Rachel Lee, one half of ScRach Marcs, describes it as an “interactive activation dance performance”, where the public can choose (via a control panel such as an iPad) whether they want to watch a performance, learn a few dance moves, or be part of the performance.
“The ‘control panel’ will ‘activate’ our performance and we will be guiding them through the experience they choose,” explained Lee, who also added that this activity will run for about 30 to 45 minutes per segment at any one location. However, specific dates and locations for their performances have not been confirmed.
This year’s tech addition is a new dance ‘web-app’ that provides an ‘augmented dance experience’, which can be accessed from any internet browser on a mobile phone.
According to the app’s creator, 53-year-old dance teacher and software developer Kace Ong, the app will show which ‘Got to Move’ activities are happening around the area the user is in, as well as more information and videos related to that activity. The app will only be available for use from 22 October to the end of November.
“There are so many programmes happening at the same time during Got to Move, so this helps people to know what workshops or shows are near to them,” he said.
Another first for ‘Got to Move’ is the inclusion of the Ladies First Festival, where women in the dance scene will be invited to collaborate across different dance genres in four collaborative workshops from 20 to 27 October.
There will also be workshops for people with disabilities, called ‘AnyBody Can Dance (ABCD)’, where elements of dance and clowning will be taught as forms of therapy and self-expression. Two additional pop-up events in March and June will also be included to expand the movement.
Elaine Ng, senior director of sector development for performing arts at the NAC, said that the pop-up events were created to “sustain interest in dance beyond the movement” and will also “offer greater opportunities for the public to engage with dance, making Got to Move a staple on Singapore’s arts calendar”.
Check out a contemporary dance performance from Soul Signature here:
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