The international programme of Dance House Helsinki starts at the beginning of February with the Side Step Festival produced by Zodiak. In the large Erkko Hall of Dance House Helsinki on 1 February, we get to experience American choreographer Trajal Harrell’s and Zürich Dance Ensemble’s The Köln Concert, whose soundtrack features Keith Jarrett’s iconic piano improvisation recording with the same name and music by Joni Mitchell.

In Pannuhalli on 31 January–1 February, we get to explore the African roots of flamenco in the British dance and flamenco artist Yinka Esi Graves’ production The Disappearing Act.

The spring’s strong flamenco offering continues on 22–26 April with the Helsinki Flamenco Biennial. The new art festival takes over Dance House Helsinki with a celebration of the diversity of flamenco. Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin’s multi-day event showcases contemporary flamenco, flamenco world stars and young rising stars.

As part of Dance House Helsinki’s international series of visits, on 8–11 April, Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT 1), one of the world’s most renowned contemporary dance groups, will take to the stage. Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite’s, who has been one of the foremost choreographers in contemporary dance for three decades now, and the founder of the acclaimed theatre group Complicité, which also charmed Finnish audiences in 2002, Simon McBurney’s collaboration titled Figures in Extinction is a topical major production combining dance and theatre that deals with nature and our relation to it.

In Erkko Hall, international circus produced by Cirko will be on display with visiting contemporary circus group Collectif d'équilibristes. The captivating group choreography performed by eight acrobats turns the world upside down.

New Finnish productions include tango and contemporary music and choreography as well as contemplations about death

The spring’s Finnish first performances bring a strong dialogue of dance and music onto the stages of Erkko Hall and Pannuhalli.

Glims & Gloms celebrates its 25th anniversary in Erkko Hall with a dazzling evening on 3–5 April, marrying Argentinian tango with contemporary dance. Tuomo Railo’s choreography will be interpreted by a 16-person tango orchestra, singer and seven expressive dancers.

In Pannuhalli on 6–8 February, a Finnish first performance at the Side Step festival, Marianna Henriksson’s and Anna Mustonen’s Spheres will weave together contemporary music and choreography. Spheres is also part of programme of the Musica nova Helsinki festival.

In Pannuhalli on 19–24 May, choreographer Alpo Aaltokoski’s production Kantaja serves as the conclusion to the production series Six Images of Death. The collaboration between six dancers of the 50+Tanssikollektiivi, featuring dancers aged 50 and over, and three musicians creates a multi-layered choreography that deals with humanity and the theme of death.

Returning premieres feature hip hop, dance theatre, circus and a classic by Tero Saarinen Company

The spring programme is also a celebration of long-awaited returning premieres. Tero Saarinen Company’s classic production Borrowed Light will be showing from 21 February to 1 March, 20 years after its original premiere. The acclaimed production seen by over 50,000 people internationally, now returning to Erkko Hall, combines dance and live music in a unique way.

Throughout the spring, Pannuhalli will feature the acclaimed Zodiak production by choreographer Sonya Lindfors, Something like this. The production aimed at young people examines the possibilities of the stage and hip-hop culture as a platform for telling diverse stories, empowering people and creating a sense of community.

Liisa Pentti +CO’s and Sirius Teatern’s joint production showing in Pannuhalli on 20–22 February, Fraudulent Light – and the Epidemy of Oblivion, is an experimental theatre performance inspired by the choreographies of Pina Bausch and Tanztheater Wuppertal.

Established in 2013, the internationally successful Finnish contemporary circus and visual theatre group Nuua Company will bring its unique production Blueberry Burdock, which is an intriguing blend of circus, dance and physical theatre, to Pannuhalli on 6–8 March. During its journey that has spanned over a decade, the group’s productions have been performed in 21 different countries.

Young talent and the thrill of competition

At Dance House Helsinki, late spring is once again dedicated to young talent. Dance House will feature shows and party evenings organised by dance schools and youth services of the City of Helsinki. On the stage, we will get to see a range of styles from afrobeat and jazz to K-pop.

The Finnish Dance Organization’s amazing competition weekend will take place on 2–4 May, when dancers of all ages from children to adults will compete for age group and Finnish championships in different disciplines.

Organised since 2010, Show of the Year brings together more than 100 dance groups each year to celebrate Finnish dance culture, from show to street styles. The dance recap show will be held at Dance House Helsinki on 29 April.

Young professional dancers will also be seen on stage at Helsinki Dance Theatre’s performances on 28–29 March.

Concerts, clubs and programme for the whole family

The spring offering of Dance House Helsinki also includes a wide range of concerts, clubs and other cultural events by UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra and the philharmonic orchestra Helsinginkadun Filharmonikot, among others. The popular Helsinki International Drag Fest will be held for the third time on 28–29 March.

In March, Dance House Helsinki welcomes the whole family to the Children’s Saturday event on 22 March. Dance House Helsinki invites toddlers to explore the world of dance as part of the City of Helsinki’s Culture Kids project. The free stage dances on 18 March invite you to let rhythm move you.

In addition to the live programme, Dance House Helsinki offers a wide range of information on the programme, workshop materials and ancillary programme on its digital channels.

More info: Saara Oranen, Communication, saara@tanssintalo.fi +358 445661903