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CONNY JANSSEN DANST, located in Rotterdam, has been one of the most prominent modern dance troupes in the Netherlands since 1992. The works of its artistic leader Conny Janssen are widely known for their strongly physical and theatrical power of the dancers, and the surprising diversity of their performances, in which highly qualitative dance is always paramount.

The thematic of the big city forms a significant breeding ground. Conny Janssen is a specialist in creating on-site performances: from theatre to factory hall, from church to parking garage. By entering into alliances with artists and institutions from the world of photography, film industry, architecture, theater and music, Conny Janssen puts dance in a broader perspective. The works of Conny Janssen were repeatedly accoladed and are to be seen on both national and international festivals. On account of this, the troupe developed into an important promoter of modern dance.

Conny Janssen’s choreographies are defined as ingenious, powerful, and stirring. Although her language of dance is unconnected, it merges into a sophisticated music choice, composition, and lighting. On top of that, her works are characterized by a versatility, which every time turn out to be unpredictable voyages of discovery for both her dancers and her audience. She melts together her flexible, outstanding language of dance with the personal qualities of her dancers. Therefore, her dancers stand on the stage as human beings of flesh and blood. Fragile, passionately, and with fighting spirit.

 

LIFE-LIVE! 20th Anniversary

In LIFE-LIVE! dance company Conny Janssen Danst is celebrating their 20th anniversary with two highlights from the repertoire of Conny Janssen.
Two characteristic choreographies seen through the eyes of today:
NUMBER ONE (2002) - pure dance in a straight, architectonic stage design - and COMMON GROUND (2010) - a theatrical journey to the city as a source of inspiration, with live music by Michel Banabila and Corrie van Binsbergen.

LIFE-LIVE! is touring through The Netherlands from November 2011 till January 2012.Check playlist.


 

ZOUT FEB-MAY '11

Live on stage in the latest choreography of Conny Janssen: Seven exceedingly strong, male dancers and Anne Soldaat, currently one of the best guitarists in the Dutch pop scene.
Following up on her highly-acclaimed productions Welk een eer voor het vaderland te mogen sterven (1996) and REBOUND (2005), Conny Janssen’s third choreography also features men only. ZOUT, Dutch for ‘salt’, is a choreography for eight men - seven dancers and guitarist Anne Soldaat - who move in a world where order and control have to keep chaos at bay.

ZOUT: PHYSICAL, EXPRESSIVE AND PURE
Premiere: February 16th, 2011, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
Tour: February till May 2011, Dutch theaters.
Download complete playlist

Conny Janssen: ‘I like the dynamics you get with a group of men, the direct way in which they communicate and the physical possibilities they offer me. This also gives me a certain freedom. I do not have to create pretty duets, so we can deal with different things. Over the last few years, I have developed a particular line in large-scale works for mixed groups such as SO HERE WE ARE (2008), and I find it interesting to take that line further with these eight men.’

Until 2004, Anne Soldaat was a member of the successful band Daryll-Ann. His solo CD In Another Life appeared to great acclaim last year. He has also played in Tim Knol’s band since 2009. Many people now consider Anne Soldaat the best guitarist in the Netherlands.

What the press said about Anne Soldaat’s latest album In Another Life:
Volkskrant: ‘Once again, Soldaat demonstrates the brilliance of his guitar solos.’
NRC Handelsblad: ‘Soldaat proves to be a master of many trades: he presents subdued guitar songs […], spring-like pop songs […] and dark rock [...] with the greatest of ease. And in fact, a single song often contains all of these variants.’


 

CHOREOGRAPHIES BY CONNY JANSSEN

2010
VUIL&GLASS featuring Cello Octet Amsterdam / premiere february 21st 2010, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
COMMON GROUND featuring Michel Banabila, Daniela Bernoulli, Mete Erker and Corrie van Binsbergen / premiere location June 26th 2010, Station Hofplein De Hofbogen, Rotterdam

 2009
SO HERE WE ARE featuring ORIGINAL WINDS / première theatre March 15th 2009, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
RUIS featuring students Codarts Rotterdamse Dansacademie / première October 8th 2009, Theater Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam

2008
SPARRING PARTNERS /part 1 première location March 30th 2008, Orgelpark, Amsterdam
SPARRING PARTNERS/part 2 première theatre April 10th 2008, Theater Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam

2007
PARELS première December 20th 2007, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
SO HERE WE ARE première location 30th June 2007, Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek, Rotterdam
IN TWO MINDS special version | DANScombinatie | in cooperation with Krisztina de Châtel & Ann van den Broek | première January 21th 2007, Theater aan het Spui, Den Haag

2006
IN TWO MINDS première theatre October 10th 2006, ISALA theater, Capelle aan den IJssel
THREE première October 10th 2006, ISALA theatre, Capelle aan den IJssel
IN TWO MINDS première location September 16th 2006, Keizerzaal, Sint Servaas-basiliek, Maastricht
HEAR ME première March 5th 2006, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam

2005
LOST première November 9th 2005, Holland Dance Festival, Korzo Theater, Den Haag
REBOUND première October 15th 2005, ISALA theater, Capelle aan den IJssel
MANOEUVRES première June 17th 2005, Zomerfestival Parade, Rotterdam
I'M HERE première March 12th 2005, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam

2004
LICHT première February 5th 2004, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
Washington square | Het Nationale Ballet | Holland Festival

2003
TROOST première October 7th 2003, ISALA theater, Capelle aan den IJssel
VUIL & GLASS in cooperation with Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico | première theatre February 13th 2003, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam

2002
VUIL & GLASS in cooperation with Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico | première location July 18th 2002, Zomerfestival Karavaan, Huisvuilcentrale NH, Alkmaar
NUMBER ONE première March 2nd 2002, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
BLUF| Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd
In Between | in cooperation with Fontys Dansacademie

2001
MEET ME, A DANCER première November 16th 2001, Holland Dance Festival, Theaterzwembad De Regentes, Den Haag
ALBUM FAMILIAR | DANScombinatie 2 | in cooperation with Scapino Ballet Rotterdam & Dance Works Rotterdam | première February 2nd 2001, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam

2000
INSTINCT première October 11th 2000, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
CATCH! | Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd

1999
KUS VAN EEN VIS première November 2nd 1999, Theater Zuidplein, Rotterdam
OKTOBER première January 8th 1999, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam

1998
MADE TO MEASURE | Introdans
VIJZEL in cooperation with Cello Octet Conjunto Ibérico | première February 25th 1998, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
PISTE | Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd

1997
COME ACROSS | Rotterdamse Dansacademie

1996
HAVEN’T I MET YOU SOMEWHERE BEFORE | Introdans
WELK EEN EER VOOR HET VADERLAND TE MOGEN STERVEN première theatre October 15th 1996, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
WELK EEN EER VOOR HET VADERLAND TE MOGEN STERVEN première location August 29th 1996, Mullerpier, Rotterdam
FRAMES PER SECOND: PORTRAITS-LANDSCAPES première February 28th 1996, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam

1995
IN HET VOORBIJGAAN | Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel
4 TOKEN | dance movie, director Mart Dominicus
A SILENT PLACE TO REST | Introdans
DANCE TO THE LIVE MUSIC | project Anjerfonds Zuid-Holland
WHEN MOST I WINK, THEN DO MINE EYES BEST SEE première February 7th1995, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam
MANNERS première February 7th 1995, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Rotterdam

1993
IN EEN ANDER JASJE | in cooperation with Kim van der Boon, Danstheater Arena
DONDER OP | Introdans, ensemble voor de jeugd
WEEPING WALS première October 1st 1993, Goudse Schouwburg, Gouda
THE UNANSWERED QUESTION première October 1st 1993, Goudse Schouwburg, Gouda

1992
LOS ZAND | Moderne Theaterdans
MOVING TARGET première September 25th 1992, Leidse Schouwburg, Leiden
MONOLOOG VOOR TWEE HELFTEN première September 24th 1992, Leidse Schouwburg, Leiden
ELOÏ ELOÏ première theatre September 24th 1992, Leidse Schouwburg, Leiden

1991
ELOÏ ELOÏ Hoppers nightmare | i.s.m. Glenn van der Hoff

1989
FAÇADE | Djazzex

1988
THE UNDERTOW | Djazzex