Seminaked men, shaven-headed, their bodies covered in white makeup, move with intent slowness on the stage: Anyone who has ever seen Ankoku Butoh — Japan's most famous dance export — will recognize this description. But, as good as the likes of internationally acclaimed dance troupe Sankai Juku are, there is in fact a lot more to Japanese dance.
Dance Triennale Tokyo 2009 is probably as fine as any introduction can be to the range of styles and performers out there. The festival features 18 artists and companies, performing from Sept. 18 to Oct. 8 at the Aoyama Round Theatre in Shibuya, Tokyo, and the nearby Spiral Hall in Omotesando.
This year's Triennale sees a greater diversity of events than before, with free minishowcases, talk events at the Shibuya Aoyama Book Center and workshops by the visiting foreign artists. There is also the rare opportunity to watch 80 years of dance on film in a series of late-show screenings at Theatre Image Forum, also in Shibuya.
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