New season of performances kicks off at New York University Arts Center

Fans of contemporary dance will want to check out the UAE premiere of Badke at NYU Abu Dhabi this month. Based on the traditional Palestinian dance dabke, the performance, which is typically done during wedding celebrations, is a type of line dance that involves performers holding hands, walking and stomping the floor with their feet in different rhythms.

The brainchild of Belgian cocreator and dramaturge Hildegard De Vuyst along with choreographers Koen Augustijnen and Rosalba Torres Guerrero, the performance sees ten Palestinian dancers take to the stage for what’s been described as an intense, frenzied performance.

“We looked at the concept of dabke and played around with it. It is not only the traditional material but there are also influences from contemporary dance from capoeira, martial arts, the circus, etc. That’s why we call it badke – because it is dabke inside out,” says co-creator Hildegard.

The group is made up of mostly self-taught contemporary dancers, as well as a contortionist, an acrobat, a Palestinian boxing champion and two hip hop dancers from a refugee camp, who learned their moves via YouTube. September 8, 9

The Art Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8pm, Fri 5pm, free with prior reservation. Tel: (02) 6284000. Taxi: NYU campus on Saadiyat Island. nyuad-artgallery.org