ISRAEL: Israeli choreographer invites the general public to participate with his dance company to raise funds for Japan's tsunami victims

Record ID: 395694

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli choreographer invites the general public to participate with his dance company to raise funds for Japan's tsunami victims
  • Date: 7th April 2011
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) BOBBY SMITH, GAGA EVENT PARTICIPANT, SAYING: "I am here to participate in a giant group prayer for Japan and it's people, and hopefully the mass of thoughtfulness will reach them." DANCERS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHIN HIRUSAWA, JAPANESE PARTICIPANT IN GAGA EVENT, SAYING: "I feel very happy because so many people come to here, not only dancing,
  • Embargoed: 22nd April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel, Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA21MOSA0CAEIGL3DSL6E9T5EIV
  • Story Text: Over 800 Israelis performed the Gaga moves in Tel Aviv on Tuesday (April 5), raising funds for Japanese tsunami victims.
    Gaga movement language was developed by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin who directs the Batsheva Dance Company. Naharin announced recently that one of his dance sessions would be opened to the general public, with all proceeds from the event being donated to the Japanese Red Cross.
    "People don't come to see, people come to participate in a workout based on the Gaga movement language. It is a benefit for the victims of the tsunami in Japan. It's a little bit off the headlines, but still 172,000 people are homeless, and all the money that will be raised tonight will be donated to the Japanese Red-Cross," Naharin told Reuters.
    Naharin, hailed as one of the world's pre-eminent contemporary choreographers, is married to Japanese dancer Eri Nakamura.
    Gaga was developed by Naharin during his work with the Batsheva Dance Company, which he has artistically directed since 1990. Naharin describes Gaga as a method of exploring multi-dimentional movement, of combining instinctive movement with intentional steps to strengthen the whole body. The dance language is based on constant observation and analysis of many body parts at once, with or without background music. The dance form never uses mirrors in order to allow the dancer to get to know their body from within.
    According to the dance company, the biggest Gaga event thus far, numbered only 200 people. The company, who has many ties with Japanese counterparts, felt it was "natural" to try and raise funds for the cause by organising the public event. Spokesperson for the Batsheva company said over 40,000 NIS (almost 11,500 US Dollars) were raised in the event.
    "I am here to participate in a giant group prayer for Japan and it's people, and hopefully the mass of thoughtfulness will reach them," said one participant.
    "I feel very happy because so many people come to here, not only dancing, but also (to) give kindness to Japan. So as a Japanese I am very happy," a Japanese participant of the event told Reuters.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register