The program of activities for cultural revitalization in non-urban areas of Castilla y León brought contemporary dance closer to thousands of residents of the participating towns

From March 19 to June 25, the Castilian-Leonese contemporary dance company Alicia Soto-Hojarasca presented a new project under the name of A step forward, with which he continued his work to culturally energize non-urban areas. For its director, Alicia Soto, this initiative is part of her way of understanding culture and, more specifically, dance, which has guided her career as a creator and that of her company. Since 1994, when he began his Artistic Residency in the Burgos town of Sasamón, Soto has advocated for the importance of the decentralization of the arts in cities, which allows the democratization of art, favoring access to culture outside urban centers and promotes the modernization of ideas, criteria and an acceptance of difference. At the same time, with the different experiences implemented over the years, it has shown how this type of action creates synergies with the local population and its social and educational agents and promotes the activation of the local economy and job creation.

A STEP FORWARD

The program of activities and actions that made up the project of A step forward They were based on the language of contemporary dance, the arts of movement, dance-theater, urban dances and technology. Dance, by dispensing with the word as the main element of expression, is a universal language that allows reaching unimagined places connecting with emotional intelligence. As there is no word, there is no barrier, and communication is wide and infinite, allowing the public to imagine and feel. In addition, its practice allows us to approach and express different aspects of life and, in recent decades, its therapeutic nature has been demonstrated, helping personal growth and keeping communities together.

A step forward it was made up of three pillars: workshops and an image laboratory for social networks (aimed at women, children and young people); an Artistic Residence in Serrada during 2023 and the exhibition of the shows La Petite Voiture 2.0 and Regards (looks), created by the company Alicia Soto-Hojarasca. Both the workshops and the different functions that will take place in the show will take place in different towns in Valladolid with between 300 and 4,000 inhabitants.

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WORKSHOP COUNT YOUR BODY

Dance, music and theater workshop. Aspects such as equality and social inclusion were worked on.
An experience of meeting, of collective creation and expression with the construction of a dialogue, to break down the barriers of prejudice. To build a common time where the closeness of gazes and bodies can be felt: what is silent, what is spoken, what is danced, and what is sung.

Taught by Alicia Soto.

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DANCE WORKSHOP

A movement, rhythm and imagination workshop to bring dance closer to children in order to create future spectators or dance students, emphasizing the pedagogical aspect. The union of dance and music helps children in their intellectual and physical growth, enhancing psychomotor skills and memory.

On June 12, 2023, Alicia Soto gave several "Danzarte" workshops to the students of CEIP Isabel la Católica de Serrada (Valladolid). Carried out by Alicia Soto with the collaboration of Itzel Vela.

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breakdande workshop

In June 2023, the Julián Gómez Pavón Company, from the Alicia Soto-Hojarasca company, gave Breakdance workshops to young people from Serrada, Pozaldez and Aldeamayor de San Martín.

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LA PETITE VOITURE 2.0

La Seca, Nava del Rey, Matapozuelos, Medina de Rioseco, Olmedo, Rueda, Tordesillas and Villalar de los Comuneros were able to enjoy the show during the month of June La Petite Voiture 2.0 from the company Alicia Soto-Hojarasca.

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REGARDS (LOOKS)

In March 2023, two performances took place in the town of Serrada of the show by the Alicia Soto-Hojarasca Company. Regards (looks) it is an opportunity to look with the body and the heart. Look until you understand, look better, take care of life with your eyes. Dancing on contemporary skin, a Break attitude emerges that, despite penetrating and transgressing, allows itself to be captivated by other paths of the wind of all time.

A language dialogue between Break Dance and contemporary dance aimed at all audiences and especially young people. Directed and choreographed by Alicia Soto, which she herself interprets together with Julián Gómez Pabón.

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FOTOGRAPHY LABORATORY

An image laboratory for the creation of cultural activities for social networks (Facebook, Tik-Tok, Instagram…). A practical technological experience that gave audiovisual coverage to all the activities that will be carried out in the project A step forward.
The selected young people were in charge of creating the digital content during the activities: photos, videos, interviews where the performances and workshops take place.
At the same time, they were taught how they should design such content, and how it should be disseminated.

Taught: Luis A. Barajas

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ARTIST RESIDENCE

In 2023, the Alicia Soto-Hojarasca company will have several periods of Artistic Residency in the Valladolid town of Serrada. Last March the company spent two weeks preparing the following performances of the show Regards, while in April two weeks were also devoted to rehearsals for La Petite Voiture 2.0. In the last quarter of the year, Alicia Soto will return to Serrada to carry out different research days for her new production. In addition, a workshop for women between the ages of 45 and 55 will be organized to work with them on this project.