g r oo v e

Soa Ratsifandrihana searches for what 'groove' means to her and how she can deepen her experience and translation of it in movement.

G R OO V E - Soa Ratsifandrihana 16:9

"Ever since childhood, my imagination has been built around music. I always cherishedfamily moments when we had fun together performing the songs we loved. We achievedthis via a series of small, sophisticated gestures, amplified by the attention they received.Our bodies were blossoming, filling the silences with aplomb and audaciously anticipatingthe musical accents. In other words, we were trying to get into the 'groove'. I continuedto cultivate this dance alone, in my daydreams. Today, cherishing and dedicating time todeveloping this practice is self-evident.

'Groove' is a slang expression that originated in jazz music at the end of the 1930s. Themusicians of the time were looking for a form of rhythmic suppleness. By skilfullyarticulating the three-beat measure, they created a swing that is easily identifiable today.

Over time, the expression 'groove' has broadened. It’s obvious that this spirit of rhythmexists in other musical genres. My generation, the Millennials, is witnessing an explosionof flourishing hybrid music, the fruit of digital culture. Our dances and cultures are alsochanging and continuing to transform. With g r oo v e, I don’t want to confine myself to agiven period or style of music. I have taken the decision to look for intersecting points andto make the link between musical sensibilities from sometimes contradictory origins.

What do we want to retain from this turmoil? For my part, it’s the frugal, sometimes eroticpleasure I get when dancing. g r oo v e aims to elevate this depth of joy that animates meeach time I go on search of my own groove."

Creation & performance: Soa Ratsifandrihana — Residency support: workspacebrussels

Residencies

23.08.2021 - 29.08.2021

Kaaitheater

26.04.2021 - 08.05.2021

Kaaitheater

01.03.2021 - 14.03.2021

Kaaitheater