In pictures: behind the scenes of Dublin Dance Festival 2024

Dublin Dance Festival 2024 started last week, on May 14th, and continues until next Saturday, May 25th, showcasing a wide range of exciting work. Irish Times photographer Dara Mac Dónaill got unique access as some of the productions made their preparations and went live.

13 Tongues by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Taiwan

First up was Asia’s leading contemporary dance company, the world-renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, who appeared at the Bord Gáis Theatre last Tuesday and Wednesday night. The evocative musical score interwove Taiwanese folk songs, Taoist chant, and electronica, mixing the ancient and the contemporary. With light projections of brilliant colours, shapes, and images, the dancers created an immersive and exhilarating representation of the bustling street life of Bangka, Taipei’s oldest district.

Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Huang Yen-cheng (centre) at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Behind the scenes. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

DanceScapes Labs, Foley Street, Dublin 2 and Project Arts Centre

Over four days last week, hip hop artists from Ireland and France came together to develop their individual and collective work. Hosted by inspiring artists from the French Collectif FAIR-E, the workshops were led by local hip hop artists, including Jessie Thompson, Jessie O’Reilly and Tobi Balogun.

Sofian Jouoni (right) leads the workshop, joined by dancers from left: French dancers Maryne Esteban, Sarah Nh, and Iffra Dia, and Irish artists Jessie Thompson, Jessie O’Reilly, and Tobi Balogun. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Iffra Dia, Tobi Balogun, Sofian Jouoni and Jessie O’Reilly at DanceScapes Labs. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Bench #3. CoisCéim Dance Theatre in partnership with Waterways Ireland

A collaborative project between CoisCéim Dance Theatre in partnership with Waterways Ireland, Bench features Sibéal Davitt as the commissioned artist and choreographer. Free outdoor performances of the work take place at lunchtime next Friday, May 24th, and Saturday 25th. It is an invitation to take a breath and discover dance.