Danses folkloriques d’Alsace « Ebbs ! / Danses d’ici » [transmission 2015]

Programme de danses monté par le groupe D’Kochloeffel (Souffelweyersheim, Alsace), coordinateurs artistiques Marie-Louise Hemmerle, Daniel Schott, répétiteur Jean-Luc Neth, dans le cadre de “Danse en amateur et répertoire” (2014)

[Folk dances from Alsace]

Danses d’ici is an original choreographic programme consisting of the following dances: De Buechleklopfer, Sarabande, Branle des Bergers, Polka des conscrits, Valse de Munster, Hicht oder Hot, Allemande à Quatre, Es Rappalt of de Bruke, Pas de Berstett, La Souffel déborde.

The group
Created near on forty years ago near Strasbourg, the formation D’Kochloeffel groups ninety members passionate about traditional dances, often accompanied by live music and taking the historical quality of their costumes very seriously. Some thirty of them are involved in the project of the “Danse en amateur et repertoire” meeting.
For the past four years, D’Kochloeffel has been changing to offer a more modern, innovative and approachable image of its activities, seeing that Alsace folklore is often feared as something weighty and closed with its circles where the dancers turn their backs to the public. However, at the same time the group is careful to respect the sincerity of its members’ commitment, and ensure a community sharing that must be preserved from overly radical conflicts.

Folk dances from Alsace
Drawn from the ethnic heritage of a region with a turbulent history, the subject of complex reformulations, often far more recent than we think, these dances are an astonishing example of a restored memory. While their steps are not varied (walks, jumps, change of foot, swaying, gavotte, waltz, polka, scottish and mazurka steps) and are danced most often in pairs in circles, they lend themselves merrily, led by Jean-Luc Neth, a recognised specialist of costume and its historical and geographical variations, to a dynamic of re-invention that continually renews their modes of representation.

The artist
Twenty-six dancers from D’Kochloeffel, accompanied by musicians, are joined, for this “Danse en amateur et repertoire” project, by Louis Ziegler, a contemporary choreographer based in the region, in turn an amateur of traditional steps. He wished to take time to experience a patient immersive approach within the group, convinced that the community and convivial dimension of its practices must not be disrupted. His contribution consists of choreographic insights derived from contemporary dance practices, allowing him to offer suggestions and advice in terms of apprehending space, composition of figures, and rhythmic organisation, with a view to the renewal sought for with regard to the more traditional codified usages.