So hot it's hotter

The Suzanne Dellal Center is heating summer up even further with Maholohet, a play on words that means Hot Dance.

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
dance 224.88 (photo credit: Gadi Dagon)
dance 224.88
(photo credit: Gadi Dagon)
Well fellow holy land dwellers, if you've stepped outside lately you've noticed that it's getting hot. Summer is indeed upon us, which means beaches packed with tourists, Birthright busses clogging the streets and lots of sweating. The Suzanne Dellal Center is heating things up even further with Maholohet, a play on words that means Hot Dance. Thankfully, this lovely Neve Tzedek venue is air-conditioned. Now in its twelfth year, Maholohet presents 49 different performance groups over its July-August run. The festival premieres new works by established and emerging artists and brings back old favorites by some of Israel's dance masters. Overall, the festival provides an extensive window into the current Israeli dance scene, known for its creativity in the field. As a result, Maholohet is bursting at the seams with an array of genres from Eastern to modern to contemporary and more. Having hosted many influential Israeli and international dance groups, the Suzanne Dellal Center is the perfect place to showcase this country's brilliant emerging works as many of the performers have a special connection to the center's beautiful stages. "Everyone is going to be there," is a too-often-used line employed to convince people to attend events of which they are unsure. In this instance, I can assure you, it is no overstatement. Hosting companies from all over the country, this year's festival showcases Tel Aviv's Inbal Pinto Dance Company's masterpiece Oyster, Jerusalem's Vertigo Dance Company's stunning work White Noise, Haifa's HaDanCe's Returning Thoughts, multiple works by Beersheba's Kamea Dance Company and Yasmeen Godder's company of Jaffa with their newest piece, Singular Sensation. No festival at Suzanne Dellal would be complete without the inclusion of the Batsheva Dance Company, who will present a tasting menu of choreographer Ohad Naharin's work including DecaDance, Max and the premiere of a new piece planned for July. As Israel becomes more ethnically diverse, so does its dance culture. Kicking off the festival are two days highlighting the stars of Eastern dance with performances by the Salome Dance Company, Tami Gil, Pepi Nes and others. The Ethiopian company Beta shows their work Tradition and Modernization - Tazi Taza. Yael Thal and Guru Kashi take audiences on a journey into the world of Indian dance with Namaste, Greetings from India. The Israeli flamenco company Compas, together with Spanish guests Tiempo, premiere a new work, With The Time. And, as a special treat, a guest performance is planned by star Spanish flamenco dancer Rafael Amargo, along with his company. Amargo, who has been described as an "electrifying" performer, has graced stages the world over, including the Bolshoi Theater, the Barcelona Opera House and the Buenos Aires Opera House. He recently choreographed the musical Zorro, currently being performed on Broadway in New York City and in London's West End. Among the newer pieces set to be performed are works by Niv Shenfeld, Sahar Azimi, Arkadi Zaides and emerging choreographer Idan Cohen, who brings back his exhilarating work Joyride for another showing. A gala event is planned to welcome the Tel Aviv Dance Company, formerly known as DedeDance, back onto the scene. Odelya Kuperberg, Michal Herman and Maya Shtern join feminine forces in an evening entitled City Girls. If it's fringe that you're after, not to fret, there are plenty of programs designed to clue you in to the underground dance scene. Kids are also welcome spectators at Maholohet with Noa Dar's company performing their whimsical piece Children's Games. Anat Danielli, an emerging powerful voice in the contemporary dance scene, premieres her new work for the whole family about the four seasons set to Vivaldi's compositions of the same name. Yosi Yungman brings his colorful and engaging children's piece Tipa Pupa and Tamir Gintz's Kamea Dance Company performs their adaptation of The Little Mermaid. If you have little ones, this is a great reason to get them out of the sun. Actually, Maholohet is a great excuse for anyone to get indoors, no matter what style of dance they may be after. Maholohet runs from July 1 through August 30. For schedule and ticket information visit www.suzannedellal.org.il or call (03) 510-5656.