Iris De Brito
Artist. Creative Director. Choreographer
Connecting, Leading and Healing through the arts of the african diaspora
CHOREOGRAPHY. RESEARCH. ARTIST DEVELOPMENT.
Highligthts
"Uprooted" - 2018 One Dance UK DAD Trailblazers awards
Uprooted was an solo work which resulted from my fellowship research. It was an exploration of identity in the context of Afro-Latin diasporic journey.
Music produced by: Misternino productions / Water by Sudan archives
Choreography: Iris De Brito
Costume design: Aiyana Phokeerdoss
BATUKE! - International Festival in London between 2010-2019
Artistic Direction & Programming by Iris De Brito
Batuke! was initially self-funded and in the last 5 years it received funding from the Arts Council of England.
Iris invited and collaborated with international artists, created a platform for artistic development and developed key partnerships including Nandos, Trace, France Television and Sushiraw productions with the artist Kaysha. BATUKE! also facilitated King's College London Modern Moves research project and welcomed AkomaAsa Performing Arts Academy.
During the length of the festival, Iris also choreographed a yearly performance project with her dance company - Batuke project - presented at the festival with local performers and students alike.
Batuke International Festival provided a unique platform whereby Afro-portuguese culture was able to thrive and be represented in the dance sector in the UK while opening up opportunities for similar events to be born throughout diaspora communities all over Europe.
IAs a 2017 /2018 One Dance UK DAD Trailblazer starter I have been developing my choreographic project, researching and being mentored by relevant and highly experienced practitioners in the sector.
The trailblazer fellowship has allowed me to explore and reflect on my ideas as an artist and draw a mind map of delivering my ideas into completion.
Upon my trip to Angola my ideas came into further focus and I'm drawn to choreograph around the theme of broken bonds of those forced to immigrate to other countries and the emotional challenges that diaspora communities face throughout generations.
The complete piece will be shared after some research and development time towards the end of the year at a platform produced and promoted through One Dance UK.
Follow any of my social networks for updates!
5 Days in Angola / 2017
It's a short documentary (one hour) of my adventure into Angola, around Kizomba and Semba dance culture. As part of the Lisa Ullman travelling scholarship I travelled to Angola with a cameraman - Giulianno from Unikflow Grafik and visited some iconic places where these dances developed. I interviewed local dancers and found out about their opinions on the way these dance forms have travelled and transformed in the diaspora.
Contact to view full documentary
" Muxima" Solo - First performed in 2008
Muxima means heart in the traditional language in Angola. I choreographed this piece to express where our heart lies. The dancer discovers an old traditional dress while tidying up her clothes and it reminds her of forgotten times, forgotten roots. She denies it and embraces a new rhythm and movement but her heart pulls her back in the end. Performed t Tala Visions of Angola - Powell Cotton Museum Kent and International festival circuit.
Music: Waldemar Bastos
Original song by N'gola Ritmos
Choreography: Iris De Brito
"Vida Di Mar" - Batuke Dance Company 2016
This piece was commissioned and performed at Batuke Festival by the Batuke Dance company.
The work relates to the life of sailors off to sea leaving their wives behind, becoming living ghosts to them who forever live wishing for their speedy return.
Music: Melody from Mayra Andrade's Navega
Choreography: Iris De Brito
Performers: Theo, Alvin, Didi, Kemi & Gaelle
"Rumbera Soy yo" - Rumba Guanguanco Solo
This solo is an exploration of the rumba rhythm in all its many layers and meanings. I start by singing live and then "enter" the rhythm. Each drum touch is meant to be interpreted and embodied in the movement vocabulary. The interpretation is lyrical and goes through the different language in Rumba expressed in the song. It's the ability to be one with the drums.
Performed in the International festival circuit.
Music: Maraca
Choreography: Iris De Brito
Kizomba Fusion
Kizomba is a partner dance from Angola, derived originally from Semba.
This style is currently taking over Salsa all over the world.
This performance is a fusion between Kizomba and modern movement.
Music:
Choreography: Iris De Brito & Nuno Campos
Performers: Iris De Brito & Nuno Campos