Latest news with #Chora
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Five For Your Radar: Hank Wedel, Wes Anderson, Listowel Writers...
Cinema: The Phoenician Scheme General release, Friday, May 23 We'll always make time for Wes Anderson though even his most ardent fans might agree his films have been too whimsical of late at expense of plot. His latest comes two years after Asteroid City and features an all-star cast headed by Benicio Del Toro and Mia Threapleton, a breakout star/nepo baby — she's Kate Winslet's daughter. The bio: The story of a family and a family business. Comedy: DirtBirds: Girls World Tour Everyman, Cork, Friday, May 23 Sinead Culbert and Sue Collins are the Dirtbirds — 'real women, real issues, real funny'. After their last sell-out tour of Ireland and the UK, Girls World Tour mixes standup and sketches as they explore the female mind and ask: Why do we enter 1,000 calories into our Noom app when we've really consumed over 6,000? Why do we hold onto tights when they've ladders in them? Why do we keep buying creams that we know won't stop our faces from sliding down our necks? Dance: Chora Cork Opera House, Wednesday, May 28 National dance company Luail brings its inaugural performance, Chora, to Cork Opera House. New national dance company Luail presents its inaugural work, a triple bill of new dance works by choreographers Maria Campos and Guy Nader, Liz Roche, and Mufutau Yusuf, in collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. With set and costume design by Katie Davenport and lighting design by Sinéad McKenna, and featuring Cork composer Sam Perkin, Chora sees the dancers and musicians draw on their bodies, instruments, and ultimately, each other. Literary: Listowel Writers Week Various venues, From Thursday, May 29 Ireland's oldest literary and arts festival — it began in 1971 — returns over the June bank holiday weekend. Kicking off on Thursday, a literary and historical walking tour of the Kerry town takes place at 10am, playwright Jimmy Murphy hosts the John B Keane Memorial Lecture, while there are also events focused on poetry, short stories, history, and Athea Drama Group puts on the lyrical folk play Sharon's Grave. And that's just the first day of Writers Week! Music: Hank Wedel Speak To Me (with Princes Street and Carol Barrett Ford), Wednesday, May 28 A singer-songwriter born in the US and based in Cork city, Hank Wedel was 25 in 1988, when he returned after two years performing in New York. He formed Princes Street who released the mini-album The Night John Lynch Lost His Glasses in 1989. That long player featured the classic tune Speak to Me, a song which became a favourite at the band's numerous live shows during the era. Now the track is finally getting a digital release - it will be available on all streamers from Wednesday.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Dublin Dance Festival 2025: At Chora, generations of choreographers, dancers and producers witness an auspicious debut
Chora Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin ★★★★☆ A notable slice of Irish dance history appears at the unveiling of Luail , the new national dance company, on Tuesday. Generations of choreographers, dancers and producers – including members of Irish National Ballet from the 1970s and 1980s, the last time Ireland had a full-time dance company – eagerly witness the opening night of Chora. Irish National Ballet's last production was Oscar, a ballet based on Oscar Wilde that it performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 1989. Picking up the baton 36 years later, Luail has partnered with the Irish Chamber Orchestra in three works, the orchestra energetically part of the movement fabric onstage rather than tucked away in the pit. [ Behind the scenes at Luail as Ireland's national dance company prepares to open Dublin Dance Festival Opens in new window ] As a full-time company Luail will be judged on its coherence, how it is more than just a collection of individuals thrown together for a production. Superficially that coherence can be measured by how razor-sharp the dancers move in unison. Liz Roche, the company's artistic director, resists the temptation of a slick, easy-to-digest premiere, instead bringing three dances that celebrate the intangible: the word 'chora', drawn from classical Greek philosophy, refers to an in-between space, not quite real, not quite abstract. In response the dancers coalesce not just in movement but with less discernible collective energy. The unison isn't just visual but visceral. READ MORE Set on risers at the back of the stage, the orchestra reach their most physical presence when performing Julia Wolfe's Dig Deep, accompanying Mufutau Yusuf's brooding Invocation. Continuing the choreographer's artistic path in exploring ritual and reconnection with the past, the black-clad dancers display physical intensity, individuals flinging arms as if casting off the past or swarming in groups loaded with uncertainty. Roche's Constellations is a quieter meditation on shared space and interaction. Dressed in teal, pale chartreuse and grey, the dancers walk on stage and pause when encountering one another, the gentle disruption either ignored or acknowledged, often with hugs or by holding hands and counterbalancing each other. These dissipate as quickly as they appear as the ever-changing energy in the space – supported by Sam Perkin's evolving score – becomes defined by the different encounters, whether one to one or collective dancing in a tight circle of light, like at a club. There's the same sense of mapped energies in I Contain Multitudes, by Guy Nader and Maria Campos, performed to the composer Simeon ten Holt's Canto Ostinato. Here the bodies are more instrumental and interactions more Newtonian. Dancers are less people, more moving beings that interact through physics rather than emotional attraction. The music is similarly impersonal, with looping five-count phrases that drive the walking concentric circles into eddies of intense movement: individuals are held by an arm and leg and spun in circles, jessant bodies flung into the air and then caught by fellow dancers. Each interaction demands precision and, most importantly trust, both evident throughout. Chora is an auspicious beginning for Luail and its dancers, Jou-Hsin Chu, Conor Thomas Doherty, Clara Kerr, Sean Lammer, Tom O'Gorman, Hamza Pirimo, Rosie Stebbing and Meghan Stevens; plus guest dancers Glòria Ros, Sarah Cerneaux and Alexander De Vries. Alongside full-throttled playing from the musicians, Katie Davenport's staging and costumes and Sinéad McKenna's lighting design are understated but perfectly apposite, reflecting the evening's aesthetic self-confidence. Chora will be performed at National Opera House , Wexford, on Friday, May 16th; Lyric Theatre , Belfast, on Sunday, May 18th; and Cork Opera House , on Wednesday, May 28th
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Telegraph
The 21 best restaurants in Mykonos
Mykonos's restaurant scene runs the gamut from the modest to the magnificent, as you might expect from one of Greece's more glamorous islands. Its capital, Chora, is crammed with places to eat to suit every budget, from basic, formica-tabled souvlaki shacks, to slick, white-tableclothed fine-dining establishments. And around its various villages and beaches you can find a good range of options, from low-key and traditional, to high-end and experimental. One constant is the classic Greek salad, which you'll find adorning almost every menu, never deviating far from its basic ingredients of ripe, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, firm chunks of cucumber and glossy, black Kalamata olives, garnished with a slab of crumbly, oregano-dusted feta cheese. Find out more below, or for further Mykonos inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, nightlife, things to do and beaches. Find a restaurant by type: Best all-rounders Niko's Tavern Open since 1976, you'd swear Niko's swallows up more and more space every year, with tables overflowing from the wide street outside the restaurant up onto Agia Moni, the small square above. And necessarily so, as it's always absolutely packed, with couples, groups of friends, and families, all having the time of their lives as the long-standing waiting staff move balletically around them. Inside, bottles of wine grace shelves alongside model boats as decoration, but most people want to be outdoors, sitting on the small, white-painted wooden chairs at tables decked out in red and white checked tablecloths. Traditional, well-cooked Greek dishes are the order of the day; freshly caught fish is sold by weight, while daily specials such as stewed octopus with orzo pasta or grilled pork skewers make regular appearances. Eva's Garden If you want to inject a touch of romance to your evening meal, Eva's is a winsome, welcoming wonderland, draped in greenery and flowers, reached via an alluring maze of streets. The majority of tables are dotted throughout an airy, white-walled courtyard, with others situated on a mezzanine level two flights up, overlooking them. Staff are friendly and unhurried, ferrying carafes of wine and hearty platters of food to happy customers. Dishes err on the traditional – chewy grilled octopus, cinnamon-spiked moussaka, delicate lamb avgolemono (with an egg-lemon sauce) et al – but the cooking is assured and the setting magical. Katerina's Overlooking the Aegean in one of Little Venice's most sought after spots, Katerina's has a cocktail bar on its upper floor, with a cosier restaurant downstairs. Here you'll find coastal Mediterranean staples: seafood linguine, grilled calamari and roasted octopus. End your meal with a Piña colada or Espresso Martini upstairs and bag a table on the balcony, perched over the sea with a lovely view out to the island's famous windmills. Back to index Best for families Pasta Fresca Barkia Georgouli is one of the main arteries running through the island, parallel to the seafront and Little Venice, and lined mainly with clothing, jewellery and souvenir shops. Pasta Fresca Barkia is one of the few restaurants on the street, and takes over three floors of what used to be a townhouse. There are some tables crammed outside – from where, if you're walking past, you also get a view of the chefs hand-rolling different pasta shapes - but inside it feels comfortable and homely, with slightly old-fashioned décor enhanced by beige tablecloths and dark wooden furniture. The star of the menu is, of course, the pasta: portions come in what seem to be tureen-sized bowls, with classic seafood (or lobster) spaghetti a hit thanks to its lavish heaping of mussels, calamari, prawns and octopus, alongside other combinations such as crabmeat linguine, four cheese ravioli, or black truffle risotto. They also do pizzas and grilled fish and seafood. Lefteris Grill House A friendly, laid-back, family-run taverna set close to Ornos beach, with a lively atmosphere. The menu is full of Greek classics, from chicken gyros to fried calamari, and portion sizes are hearty. Grilled meats are a speciality; don't miss the kontosouvli pork (roasted on a spit over hot coals) or, if you're feeling adventurous, the kokoretsi, a mix of liver, offal and intestines. Back to index Best for cheap eats Leonidas Sometimes all you want is something simple – whether it's a souvlaki or a gyro – and Leonidas does arguably the best in town. It's incredibly basic; just a handful of tables outside what looks like, essentially, a kebab shop illuminated by unforgiving fluorescent lighting, with a couple more tables inside next to the cold drinks fridges, but boy, does it deliver on flavour. You can have anything from chicken, pork or veggie souvlaki, to Greek salads and burgers, but the gyro are highly recommended: chewy, puffy pita breads are tossed onto the grill, then smeared with tangy, garlicky tzatziki, layered with lettuce and tomato, stuffed with chargrilled chicken, pork or veggies – plus a handful of fries – rolled up, wrapped in a square of greaseproof paper and handed over. All for less than €5. Area/neighbourhood: Mykonos Town / Chora Contact: 55 Georgouli, Mykonos Town (next to Marietta's Market) Price: £ Opening times: Open 24 hours Reservations: Walk-ins only Sakis Souvlaki Modest and unassuming, Sakis nevertheless is rarely short of customers, thanks to its reputation for serving up delicious and inexpensive souvlaki. Food is simple but moreish: pork, chicken or lamb, grilled on a skewer then enveloped in soft, warm pita bread, served with salad, fries and garlic aioli. You'll also find a selection of salads and bigger plates. Back to index Best for fine dining Interni Located on one of Chora's most fashionable shopping streets, this also happens to be one of the island's most fashionable restaurants; thanks to designer and architect Paola Navone, it ticks all the style boxes, such as gleaming white floors, artfully placed lighting, angular chrome barstools, and oversized pots of cacti. Food comes served on tactile, rounded crockery, staff are hip and attractive, music levels are punchy, and the ambience is upbeat. Dishes skirt the Mediterranean end of the globe and add in Asian touches, such as beef tataki, ceviche, and black cod fillet. Guests have been known to go into rhapsodies over the Valrhona chocolate soufflé. Zuma Mykonos This high-end Japanese restaurant has branches in glamorous locales all round the world, from Capri to Porto Cervo, so it's no surprise it added Mykonos to its roster in 2022. Billed as the brand's first 'lifestyle destination space', it also offers a sleek infinity pool complete with daybeds, a lounge area and bar, and - of course - resident DJ. Last year they did a partnership with Louis Vuitton, so expect another designer collaboration offering branded cabanas this season. The food is as minimalist and alluring as the decor; expect the likes of their signature black miso cod and roasted lobster with green chilli, with other decadent dishes including caviar, Wagyu beef and sea urchin. More relaxed dining can be done by the pool; just make sure you time your visit for one of the island's spectacular sunsets. COYA Mykonos Enclosed in an airy courtyard behind a door that shuts out the clamour of Chora, this elegant space is the ninth restaurant belonging to the hugely successful brand which specialises in fine-dining, Peruvian style. The setting is charming, with olive trees and bright pink bougainvillaea punctuating the space, with more pops of colour on the pretty patterned plates. There's a tasting menu if you'd rather let the chef guide you (think baby squid, yellowfin tuna ceviche and lobster with orzo), otherwise, you can choose a la carte from the likes of pollo a la parilla (grilled corn-fed baby chicken), Chilean sea bass with rice cooked in a traditional cazuela, or rock octopus spiced with Peruvian chilli. Order a pisco sour, let the atmospheric music get you in the mood, and simply enjoy this excellent cuisine. Botrini's, Hotel Katikies Located by the quiet sandy stretch that makes up Agios Ioannis beach, in the southwest of the island, is the stylish hotel Katikies Mykonos – a series of chic stacked, snowy white cubes, its zigzag layout echoing the maze of Chora. Perched at the very top, just behind one of the hotel's two expansive pools, is Botrini's, the sister to the restaurant at Katikies Santorini. Greek-Italian chef, Ettore Botrini, oversees two tasting menus as well as the a la carte, with a Greek and international wine list curated by Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis. The food is elevated Aegean cuisine; think red mullet with sea fennel and ouzo, milk-fed lamb with aubergine, cherry tomatoes and yoghurt, or scorpionfish 'Bourdeta', or Corfu-style, and dine with a view sweeping out onto the sea. Back to index Best for walk ins Babulas Taverna Not that many restaurants in Chora sit by the sea, but Babulas Taverna bags a prime position on a curved pathway by the Old Port, with an irresistible view looking back over to the harbourfront. Get there early enough, or sweet talk the waiting staff, and you could secure one of the tables whose legs are planted firmly in the pebbly sand, just below the restaurant's grounded red and white boat, which serves as its sign. By day the sea sparkles turquoise; by night, you're illuminated by the boats bobbing in the water. The interior is somewhat on the plain and stripped back side, so outside is where you want to be, ordering freshly grilled catch of the day, lemon-doused grilled sardines, or, one of their specialities, perfectly al onda seafood risotto. Area/neighbourhood: Mykonos town / Chora Contact: Price: £££ Reservations: Recommended Mediterraneo Sprawling out over a cobbled street not far from Mykonos Town's main bus station, always-busy Mediterraneo is chic, with elegant wooden chairs and tables and atmospheric rattan lighting. It brings together Tuscan cuisine and sushi, using high-end ingredients to create a range of delicious dishes from lobster linguine and pici cacio e pepe, to grilled black cod, Chianina beef tagliata, California rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Back to index Best for sea views Nusr-Et It was only a matter of time before that Sultan of Salinity, Turkish butcher-turned-restaurateur Nusret Gökçe – aka Salt Bae – washed up on Mykonos' shores, after landing in other fashionable hotspots around the world including Miami and Dubai. If you don't know his reputation, he's the man-turned-meme who seasons his high-end steaks with salt flung down his arm, and is also notorious for coating everything from burgers to Tomahawks in 24 carat edible gold leaf. Expect to be dining among the haves and the have-yachts – this is one pricey place, although its location, perched up high a little way above the centre of town, does at least mean you get a killer sunset thrown in with the (eye-watering) bill. Spilia Over to the eastern side of the island, and tucked away into a hidden cove right by the sea, is one of Mykonos's best kept secrets. Spilia, on Agia Anna beach in Kalafati, is deeply treasured by those in the know. Tables hug the cliffside, reached by a wooden walkway, and, at night, appear to float over the water. Simple décor is enhanced by octopus hanging out to dry, while the absolute must-order dishes include the sea urchin pasta, with its just-caught, creamy, salty tang, and lobster, fresh from the sea. Hippie Fish Once upon a time this was but a humble taverna whose main claim to fame was as the setting for actress Pauline Collins to find love with a handsome Greek waiter in the 1989 film Shirley Valentine. Today it's had a slick, Ibiza-style makeover, complete with oversized, rattan lampshades, driftwood sculptures of fish, low-slung banquettes with colourful cushions and wafting white tablecloths. But what a setting; it looks right onto the beach, and is your go-to for everything from a delicious Greek breakfast to a dainty dinner. It's attached to a hotel of the same name and serves the likes of seabass carpaccio and tuna tartare on the raw bar, alongside sashimi, nigiri (the oyster with sesame ponzu and lime are a standout) and maki rolls. Those looking for something heartier can tuck into meatballs, shrimp saganaki (basically, fried cheese) and king crab papardelle. Beefbar Within the chic boutique Bill & Coo hotel, which is set on the golden sands of Agios Ioannis beach, is this outpost of the slick, Monaco-born steakhouse empire. The open air restaurant is canopied by light rattan roofing and leafy mulberry trees, with alluring views out to sea – arrivals by boat simply disembark at its private jetty. Greek head chef Yiannis Babalis stays true to the menu's focus on prime beef, with the likes of grilled Black Angus filets, Chateaubriands, and Wagyu tomahawks, mixed with some innovations of his own such as the Kobe gyros, an elevated take on the local street food snack. Beefbar Mykonos is also the only branch apart from its sister in St Tropez to serve sushi, which features either toro tuna or the Wagyu of the day. Keep the party going afterwards with drinks in the relaxed lounge area. Cocco With a clutch of outdoor tables, dining here is the perfect place to watch the sun set over Mykonos' iconic windmills. A few of the indoor tables face a doorway through which you can also enjoy the same view. The menu serves elevated Italian cusine, from creamy burrata to vitello tonnato, risotto Milanese, and perfectly charred wood-fired pizzas. Back to index Best for entertainment Scorpios Already one of the island's hippest hangouts, Scorpios added serious cool points at the start of the season thanks to a takeover by Soho House. Sprawling across a section of the peninsula that sticks out due south of the island, it's a laid back, yet oh-so-chic compound – billed as a modern-day agora, or meeting place - that comprises a restaurant, bar, and different lounging areas featuring tasteful wooden cabanas, linen hammocks and low-slung sofas. Amid a daily programme of music and live events, chef Alexis Zopas rustles up the likes of smoky, barbecued prawns, zingy seafood ceviche spiked with green chilli, and home made taramasalata, to the type of crowd you'd spot at one of Nick Jones' other global establishments. Noema A recent addition to the see-and-be-seen scene, Noema is a hybrid drinking, dining and retail concept - formerly an open-air cinema - hidden away in the heart of Chora. Style-wise, it ticks all the boxes, with clean, minimalist interiors in creams and dark browns enlivened by plenty of foliage and dappled sunlight which soaks through slatted roofs. The focus is mainly on local and seasonal ingredients, conjured by culinary director Athinagoras Kostakos into a selection of sharing dishes which might feature anything from lamb to octopus, via caper leaves, cockles or pork with a cinnamon-anise crust, as well as new items for this season, including local Chalkida dover sole, crayfish and the very rare Preveza Caviar. Prefer drinking and dancing? The outdoor bar serves anything from organic and biodynamic wines to a range of Greek spirits used to innovative effect in a variety of hand-crafted cocktails, feisty enough to get you on your feet to a variety of DJ sets and acoustic collaborations performed in the tucked-away courtyard. By day, browse the concept store for chic homeware, jewellery, sandals and lifestyle essentials. Lio Mykonos Set back from Little Venice, this restaurant-cum-nightclub offers revellers a glamorous cabaret dining experience. An intimate, low-lit, al fresco space reached through a leafy garden via a secret door to the street, the focus here is perhaps less on the food and more on the entertainment. Performances from professional singers, dancers and acrobats captivate the attention - and expect the waiting staff to get involved, too - but don't ignore what's on your plate; renowned Greek chef Alkis Vardaramatos serves up everything from fresh fish and seafood, to dessert in the form of the cherries which make up the symbol of Pacha, the club emporium which owns Lio. After dinner and the show, you can party the night away. Back to index How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Laura Millar first experienced Mykonos as a student in 1994. Since then she's come back almost every year, drawn to the laid-back vibe, spectacular sunsets and her constant search for the perfect Greek salad.
RTÉ News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Dublin Dance Festival celebrates 21st year
The 21st Dublin Dance Festival kicks off on Tuesday and as part of the celebrations, a new national all-island dance company will take to the stage for the first time. The 'Luail' dance company will present its debut show called 'Chora' in Dublin before hitting the road to bring the show to audiences across the country. "The countdown is on for our very first performance and we are in a whirl of rehearsals," artistic director Liz Roche said as last minute preparations took place in Dance House on Foley Street in the heart of Dublin city centre. Ms Roche went on to explain that "Luail is a national and all-island dance company that is supported by the Arts Council". "It's the first company of this nature in many, many years in Ireland, and our mission is for dance to be celebrated across the island," she said. Ms Roche explained that after many years in the build up to the launch of the company, they are very enthusiastic about the opportunity now "to increase visibility for dance for everybody". Confirmation of Luail's plans have been welcomed across the dance communities here. Professional dancers from Ireland said they have to travel abroad for their training and they assume that their long term careers will be spent on the road, away from home due to the shortage of work on stages here. Part of the significance of Luail is that it can now offer dancers, choreographers and the wider creative teams security and stability in a traditionally unpredictable career. "The possibility of having full-time employment here, which is something I didn't think was possible now is great." A contract to dance full-time on home stages is a welcome step forward for creative talent. For dancer and newly recruited member of the Luail company, Rosie Stebbing, this first production is significant. She says that "Luail for me and I think for loads of dancers in Ireland, it's like a really landmark thing, because we haven't had a full-time dance company in Ireland. "The possibility of having full-time employment here, which is something I didn't think was possible now is great." She adds that she had to travel to Europe to train and work and she is delighted to be able to be home and dancing full-time here now. Chora has been co-created by the acclaimed choreographers Guy Nader and Maria Campos and it will be first performed at the Bord Gáis Energy theatre on Tuesday night before heading out to stages nationwide. Mr Nader supports the roll out of a national dance company. He said: "We are workers so that stability is very important, not only economically but also it allows you to be stable emotionally and I think that is very important too." Luail is the launch event for the dance festival and the buzz across Dublin dance communities is building. The programme will host events from the 13th to the 25 May across a number of Dublin City venues and some of the highlights include Oona Doherty's return with 'Specky Clark', at The Abbey. This acclaimed show blends fiction and biography, where a young boy dances as if in a Francis Bacon painting. Somnole at the Project with Boris Charmatz is described as a dreamlike yet powerfully physical solo and Mosh from Rachel Ní Bhraonáin will be staged in the Space upstairs at the Project too and this show features loud music and smoke machines so be prepared. Back at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre meanwhile, there will be welcome return for Matthew Bourne's ground-breaking all-male version of Swan Lake. For artistic director Jazmin Elodi, the festival is the culmination of a year's work, as she travels internationally inviting the best of dance to Dublin. "People should come to this year's festival because we are celebrating 21 editions this year of the festival," she said. "We are full of amazing artists and performances coming from Nigeria, France, they're coming from the UK, and of course we have our Irish creative talent too at the heart of all this." The 21st Dublin Dance festival runs from Tuesday until 25 May.
RTÉ News
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Luail steps up - Ireland's national dance theatre takes flight
Liz Roche, Artistic Director of Luail, Ireland's all-island dance company, talks about the beginnings of the company, as it prepares to make its highly anticipated debut this May with Chora, a triple bill of new dance works. Luail takes its name from an ancient Irish word that evokes movement, energy, and impulse. Soft in sound—pronounced 'loo-il'—it also carries a deeper resonance, describing an internal, almost anatomical motion, much like the movement of the nervous system. We embrace these layered meanings, drawing from our rich culture to shape our vision: for dance to be known and celebrated across the island of Ireland and to strengthen our dance ecosystem. In 2024, the Arts Council Insights survey revealed that just 2% of the population attend dance performances. While dance participation is high in private or commercial settings, a lack of investment in dance education - unlike other art forms such as music and drama - has created social and spatial barriers. Without early exposure to dance, it's difficult to cultivate a life-long appreciation for the art form. Listen: RTÉ Arena celebrate the launch of Luail Additionally, those aspiring to have a career in dance have often faced a lack of clear pathways to support their journey. This gap in support was highlighted as a critical need by the Arts Council's Dance Policy—Advancing Dance 2022-2025, which called for the establishment of a national, all-island dance company to create stable careers for dance artists, present ambitious work, revive key repertoire, and strengthen connections across the dance community. Liz Roche Company and foundational partners at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick and Maiden Voyage Dance in Belfast, were awarded the opportunity and honour to create Luail — Ireland's National Dance Company. Together, we have been shaping this new national, all-island dance company, developing a programme of ambitious dance works and special projects that build on the incredible work already being done in the sector. Our artistic programme is forging strong connections between traditions, artists and communities, through the creation of bold, high-quality, collaborative works across various disciplines, scales, languages and performance spaces. Our work brings people together locally and internationally, driven by a fearless, inventive spirit, deep artist connection, and shared joy. The work celebrates the idea of shared spaces, both physical and emotional, and explores what they mean in our lives today. With our foundational partners we are establishing clear career pathways for dancers, and now for the first time, dancers on the island can follow a path from undergraduate to postgraduate studies in contemporary dance at the Irish World Academy, UL, into a professional national company through two MA dance placements with the Luail ensemble. After just over a year of building our new Luail team, company of dancers, and programme that has engaged with over 120 artists across disciplines through research & development and commissioning dance artists to create within and for their communities—we are now preparing to premiere our first major production for the stage. To be doing this at Bord Gais Energy Theatre as the opening performance of Dublin Dance Festival feels extra special. Chora, created in collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, is an ambitious debut featuring three new dance works: I Contain Multitudes by Maria Campos and Guy Nader, Constellations by myself, Liz Roche, and Invocation by Luail's Choreographer in Residence, Mufutau Yusuf. Chora takes inspiration from the ancient Greek word that describes a place for being that is a shared space - both real and imagined. This ground-breaking new work will see Luail's ensemble of extraordinary dancers join forces with the Irish Chamber Orchestra in a vibrant exchange of dance and live, contemporary orchestral works. The work celebrates the idea of shared spaces, both physical and emotional, and explores what they mean in our lives today. This theme runs through all of our productions in unique ways this year, and we are excited to see the many threads come together over time. Chora – along with the rest of our productions this year – is a work in dialogue with contemporary Ireland—work that celebrates our diverse culture, transcends language, and engages with complex societal themes. We hope that audiences see our inaugural production as more than just a showcase of movement – we see it as a conversation in motion, driving us toward a brighter, more connected future for dance. Together, we'll revel, rebel, and reimagine. Together, we'll move.
