Step into two weeks of daring and exhilarating dance. Dublin Dance Festival’s 21st Edition celebrates bold new commissions from Irish artists and leading choreographic voices from around the world.
It’s an exploration of ritual, community and chaos, sharing personal stories and collective wisdom. An invitation to come together – with courage and curiosity – and to dance!
SOMNOLE
Terrain / Boris Charmatz
Thurs 15 & Fri 16 May
Space Upstairs, 7.30 pm
🎟️: €22 full price / €18 conc. + €1.50 booking fee
A dreamlike yet powerfully physical solo, blurring the boundaries between wakefulness and sleep.
Trailblazing choreographer and director of the renowned Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Boris Charmatz brings his dynamic and minimalist solo SOMNOLE to DDF’s 21st Edition. In this hypnotic performance, Charmatz draws audiences into the dreamlike realm of somnolence – the delicate space between wakefulness and sleep.
Alone on stage and accompanied only by the sound of his own whistling, Charmatz pushes his physicality and stamina to the limit. As familiar melodies emerge, blend and dissolve, we find moments of calm, intensity and humour. His powerful choreography merges slumberous gestures with rapid rhythms, as the body seeks rest while resisting surrender.
A meditative and profound journey, SOMNOLE explores the quiet tension between the mind’s longing for stillness and its restless motion. With lighting that shifts between shadows and blinding beams, the performance casts a spell of fleeting clarity, offering a poignant reflection on rest, daydreams, and the beauty that lies between. Book now.
MOSH
Rachel Ní Bhraonáin
Friday 23 May & Saturday 24 May
Space Upstairs, 7.30 pm
🎟️: €22 full price / €18 conc. + €1.50 booking fee
This is a dance, a gig, a theatrical shove into the heart of the pit.
Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding chaos of the mosh pit, where dance and release collide. The adrenaline rush, the raw connection, the pulse of live music – it’s more than a gig. It’s a way of life.
In MOSH, you’ll come face to face with The Mad Bastards, The Pit Protectors, The Karate Choppers, and The Bearded Beer Drinkers – each playing their part in this unfiltered ritual of wild abandon. But beneath the sweat and fury lies something deeper: a community built on music, movement, risk and the momentum of the crowd.
Featuring raucous dance, live music and interviews with real mosh pit devotees, this show uncovers the hidden meaning behind a misunderstood subculture. Is it aggression? Is it connection? What are the rules and why would anyone do this?
Following 5-star reviews and an award-winning run at Dublin Fringe Festival 2023, MOSH is back for a national tour across Ireland in 2025. Don’t miss your chance to experience this show packed with humour, heart and plenty of headbanging. Find out more. Book now.
Disco Neurotico
Byron Vincent
Wednesday 21 May
Entire Building, 7.30 pm
🎟️: €10 + €1.50 booking fee
A vibey club experience redefining nightlife for the nervous and neurodivergent.
Get ready for a clubbing experience like no other, where everyone is welcome, and the dance floor is a space of freedom and expression. With a focus on inclusivity, individuality and sensory-friendly experiences, Disco Neurotico is redefining nightlife for the neurodivergent community.
Whether you’re vibing to our eclectic selection of DJs, chilling in our sensory-friendly areas, or exploring gaming and UV art, this night is all about you being yourself.
Founder Byron Vincent, a raver with diagnoses of ADHD, autism and PTSD, commented: “We started this project hoping to remove obstacles for neurodivergent people like myself. But we’ve grown into a safe, more welcoming space for anybody who find clubs overwhelming, claustrophobic and unpredictable.”
As one attendee put it, “It felt like coming home.” Don’t miss out – come experience the future of nightlife with Disco Neurotico. Book now.
Hip Hop Jam
Jessie Thompson
Saturday 17 May
Space Upstairs, 2 pm
🎟️: €10 + €1.50 booking fee
Feel the pulse of the crowd and get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of hip hop at this year’s Dublin Dance Festival!
The stage is set for an exciting, high-energy afternoon that’s all about the music, good vibes and a celebration of community. Dive deep into the creative world of hip hop with interactive workshops led by some of France and Ireland’s top artists, where you’ll learn, create and discover new techniques that inspire your own creativity.
And, of course, the cyphers will be in full swing to wrap up the session with a Jam to connect with fellow dancers in an unfiltered, electric atmosphere. Live DJs will keep the music rolling, making sure you’re grooving all day long.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this is the ultimate space to embrace free-flowing expression, celebrate hip hop dance culture in Ireland and get inspired! Book now.
Interspaces – Somatic Workshop
Paul Donnelly
Saturday 17 May
Space Upstairs, 10.30 am
🎟️: €10 + €1.50 booking fee
Take a moment of pause to breathe and recharge with a nourishing 90-minute Yin Yoga practice, deepening the grounding and connectedness between the mind, body and self. Through a series of restorative poses, Paul Donnelly will guide you through movement focused on cultivating inner balance of the fire element – responsible for joy, connection and emotional stability. This calming and holistic practice will leave you with a sense of stillness, presence and shared experience.
This event is part of Interspaces, a special series of inspirational workshops and discussions for Dublin Dance Festival’s 21st Edition. Book now.
Interspaces – Lunchtime Talk
Boris Charmatz
Friday, May 16
Upper Foyer, 12.30 pm
🎟️: €15 + €1.50 booking fee
Join us for an insightful lunchtime talk with the remarkable French choreographer Boris Charmatz – a renowned visionary of contemporary dance. Acclaimed for his iconic performances, innovative choreographic works, and esteemed leadership roles, including his current position as Director of Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Charmatz brings a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to this candid public discussion.
This event is part of Interspaces, a special series of inspirational workshops and discussions for Dublin Dance Festival’s 21st Edition that explore what’s important to artists now, fair and sustainable creation models and how we can continue to inspire the next generation of dance thinkers and makers. These events are designed to celebrate and inspire audiences and artists alike and create a meeting space to share ideas and build community.
The talk will be followed by lunch in the relaxed atmosphere of the upstairs foyer at Project Arts Centre. Book now.
Photographer: Duncan Elliott
15 - 24 May
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