Feature: Young dance group gives fresh shot of vitality to Cuban arts

by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, April 8 (Xinhua) -- With perfect integration of contemporary and classical elements, the debut performance of 25 young Cuban dancers with the Acosta Danza -- a newest dance group in Cuba -- dazzled thousands of spectators at Havana's Grand Theater Friday night.

All of them are from a young dance group, Acosta Danza, established by Carlos Acosta, one of Cuba's most world-renowned dancers.

"Acosta Danza means evolution and moving forward with new styles in the dance world, and whenever there is a good atmosphere, dedication and excitement, the sky will be the limit," Acosta told Xinhua.

Acosta, a former first-rank dancer of the Royal Ballet of London, recently decided to end his active career and make a dream of having his own dance company in Cuba come true.

The 42-year-old performer said he intends to transform the dance scene in the Caribbean island nation with a "Cuban flavor" to all pieces, an essential element to reach genuineness and bring the public closer to its presentations.

"We embrace all types of tendencies, including classical ballet, the traditional Cuban dance, contemporary rhythms and even flamenco. The company is a symbol of the 21st century and our country," Acosta said.

For the public of a country that has such prima ballerina assoluta as Alicia Alonso, it is not difficult to accept the concept of the company, because the public knows how to appreciate fine arts particularly ballet.

However, the challenge is big for the young interpreters of Acosta Danza as they must master contemporary and classical styles, something that no dance company has ever done before in Cuba.

"After eight years without dancing classical ballet, Carlos Acosta called me for this opportunity and it has become a real test to once again go back to the movements and technique that classical ballet demands," said Laura Treto, one of the group's dancers.

For other young performers, such as Javier Rojas, it is a unique opportunity to be part of the first company that seems to break with old structures set for decades in the Cuban dance circle.

"I'm learning a lot here. Our efforts have been tremendous to make the debut tonight a success. Working with Carlos has been the most important experience of my young career," Rojas said.

Even for more experienced dancers such as Ely Regina, former ballerina of the National Ballet of Cuba, six months of training has been intense due to new technical and physical demands by Acosta.

"It has been a true challenge because my body is not adapted to the movements and rhythms of contemporary dance. We're just starting in this company but we know where we want to go always with a distinctive Cuban style," Regina said.

For the debut shows that will run until April 17, Acosta called on his friends during the years at the Royal Ballet of London to help him train the young dancers.

Such is the case of Goyo Montero, a Spanish choreographer in charge of the contemporary program of the show, who highlighted Acosta's boldness to start up a new company in Cuba.

"What Carlos is trying to achieve is to mix styles and give an authentic Cuban flavor to the dance world. His group definitely brings freshness and renovation to the scene," Montero said.

The goal ahead for the company, according to Acosta, is to form its own identity, perform new pieces of different styles and reach new milestones.