The FUS-LAC Dance Project aims to bring awareness, appreciation, and the practice of dance to Lugano and further integrate the Franklin community into the city’s thriving art culture. This joint project between Franklin University Switzerland and the Lugano Arte e Cultura (LAC) cultural center allows students, professors, and dance artists to interact in a variety of ways so that they can experience together the wellness benefits, excitement of risk-taking, and conceptual creativity that the moving art form brings. Once an integral part of everyday life, dance has become a language foreign to most of us in the twenty-first century. But at Franklin, it has become a shared language that encourages adventurousness and challenges us to step outside our comfort zones to learn something new. Through interactive workshops, concert events, and choreography sessions, the Dance Project offers a fresh, dance-oriented perspective that allows us to reimagine our personal well-being practices, the momentousness of academic travel, and the connectedness of our human experience despite our individuality.
Dance is the hidden language of the soul - Martha Graham
The purpose of art is higher than art. What we are really interested in are masterpieces of humanity - Alonzo King
The Project
Hear from Hrisanta Trebici Marin, Adjunct Professor of Music History, Professor Fabio Ferrari, Chair of the Academic Division of Arts and Cultures and Associate Professor of Italian and Comparative Literary & Cultural Studies, and Maria Bonzanigo, a renowned composer and choreographer, as they recount their unique experiences and visions for the transformative FUS-LAC Dance Project in Lugano.
Immerse Yourself in Lugano's Thriving Cultural Scene
Unlock unparalleled cultural experiences this Fall Semester of 2023 with Franklin University Switzerland and Lugano Arte e Cultura (LAC)'s ongoing Joint Program. The next exciting chapter, "Learning from the Best - FUS at the LAC," aims to deepen our students' engagement with the vibrant cultural fabric of Lugano.
Monthly Events
Thanks to the generous invitation from Michel Gagnon, General Director of LAC, and Isabella Lenzo, Director of LACedu, our students will have access to a curated series of monthly events. This exceptional lineup includes not just attendance but also intimate conversations and discussions with the featured choreographers and performers.
Thought-Leading Lecture at LAC
Further enhancing the experience, Michel Gagnon will offer a stimulating lecture on 'Cultural Strategies and Horizons.' This enlightening talk will be hosted at Lugano Arte e Cultura (LAC) itself.
EVENTS: SPRING 2024
January 25 | West Side Story @ LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura
Broadway's Lonny Price directs the international rendition of "West Side Story" at LAC. Featuring a dynamic cast of 34, Jerome Robbins' choreography, Leonard Bernstein's music, and a 20-member orchestra, the production tells a tragic love story set against the 1950s Upper West Side gang rivalry. With elaborate staging and vibrant costumes, the play embodies a narrative of love, identity, and unity across cultural divides, resonating with over three million viewers globally.
February 2 - 3 | UNITY - Exploring Dance with Maria Bonzanigo
Discover the art of dance with Maria Bonzanigo at the Student Lounge of the McNeely Center of Ideas & Imagination. This workshop, led by the co-founder of Teatro Finzi-Pasca, invites participants to explore the concept of unity through dance. Bonzanigo, known for her global performances, will guide attendees in interpreting balance and equilibrium as metaphors for emotional and physical wellbeing. Professors Ferrari and Marin will assist attendees. No dance experience is required – just bring your curiosity and openness. Dress comfortably and join us for a transformative experience of UNITY.
February 29 | Pina Bausch Company with The Rite of Spring
Franklin University Switzerland students will have the opportunity to experience the powerful 'The Rite of Spring' performed by Pina Bausch Company at LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura. This event provides a chance to witness a seminal work in contemporary dance. There's also the potential opportunity for students to meet with the esteemed choreographers Germaine Acogny and Malou Airaudo, offering a unique insight into the world of professional dance.
March 2 | Genoma Scenico LAB, a movement workshop by Choreographer Nicola Galli.
The workshop, held by the choreographer Nicola Galli, leads the participants in a physical training that intertwines several dance and somatic techniques, to then discover the language of the body and explore the techniques of creating a dance performance. Through the use of an original composition method and a playful device inspired by genomic research, participants experience the role of authors and choreographers. The workshop thus stimulates people to activate compositional strategies, learn about the infinite creative possibilities, and perceive the scene as a permeable place where bodies, movement, space, and sound connect.
April 11 | Meet the Choreographer: Maria Bonzanigo
Students have a unique opportunity to engage with Maria Bonzanigo, a versatile and esteemed figure in the world of composition and choreography. Bonzanigo has achieved great success in dance, theater, opera, and significant events, blending music with movement in a harmonious and innovative way. Her collaborations with renowned artists and participation in prestigious events showcase her creative flair and technical expertise. This meeting will provide students with a glimpse into her artistic journey and her influential role in contemporary performing arts. You can find out more about her at the following link.
April 19 and 21 | Contemporary Dance and the Built Environment
Join Sean Henderson's workshop, an opportunity to explore the dynamic interplay between the human body and its surroundings and to be part of a collaborative creation process. Whether you are a novice or an expert, you will learn to warm up physically, generate movement from impulses, and develop an understanding of the environment as a partner. The workshop will span two sessions, featuring practical exercises, thought-provoking presentations, and exciting performances that showcase the integration of dance and architecture. You will also participate in stimulating discussions, sharing reflections on merging performers with their environment to produce site-specific works. The program aims to offer insights into adapting creations to unconventional performance spaces, treating obstacles as opportunities. No prior dance experience is necessary to participate in this workshop.
FALL 2023 EVENTS
September 15 | Luna Park - Come un giro di giostra by The Finzi Pasca Company
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Finzi Pasca Company with "Luna Park", an immersive theatrical journey. Experience theater like never before as you're guided through the heart of the show on a carousel-like ride. Dive into the world of theater actors, clowns, and stage machines, surrounded by lights, colors, music, and nostalgia.
October 4 | A Dance with Creation: Michel Gagnon & Rhodnie Désir
On Wednesday, October 4 at 14:00 in the Conference Room 1 of the Lugano Arte e Cultura, delve into the artistic minds of LAC's Director Michel Gagnon and Choreographer Rhodnie Désir. Part of the FUS-LAC Joint Program, this meeting is a unique chance to explore the intricate worlds of direction and dance. Joined by President Samuel Martìn-Barbero, the afternoon promises enriching dialogues and artistic revelations. Franklin students, professors, and staff are invited to this captivating rendezvous.
SEE THE FULL GALLERY
October 6-8 | Real Life - Dance reel with Cristina Kristal Rizzo
Join dance maker Cristina Kristal Rizzo in a workshop during the 32nd FIT International Festival. This event seeks to meld dance and identity, providing an in-depth exploration of somatic practices. It's a fusion of dance and theory, challenging attendees to explore dance as an autonomous medium while deconstructing aesthetic, political, and economic imaginations.
October 11 | The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell
Experience a reinterpretation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with Mourad Merzouki's choreography set to Purcell's "The Fairy Queen". William Christie leads Les Arts Florissants and Le Jardin des Voix, presenting a Baroque masterpiece. Discover the history of this musical work inspired by Shakespeare, from its inception in 1692 to its rediscovery in the 20th century.
November 21 | Romeo and Juliet - Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
The renowned Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo returns with their interpretation of "Romeo and Juliet", choreographed by Jean-Christophe Maillot. Delve into a unique rendition of Shakespeare's tale, exploring the perspective of Friar Laurence. Maillot's choreography seamlessly blends classical dance with modern narratives, integrating cinematic techniques for a contemporary experience. The performance promises energy, elegance, and a fresh take on a classic story.
A project coordinated by
Professor Hrisanta Trebici Marin
Adjunct Professor, Music History
Professor Fabio Ferrari
Chair of the Academic Division of Arts and Cultures
Associate Professor, Italian and Comparative Literary & Cultural studies
In collaboration with
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