CampingFormation

Léo Lérus

Camping Workshop

19 > 23.06.23

CN D Pantin

Born in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe in 1980, he first learned traditional gwoka as well as contemporary and classical dance with choreographer and instructor Léna Blou. He continued his contemporary dance training at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, and then worked with a variety of companies including the Batsheva Dance Company. Influenced by the artists with whom he worked; he began writing his own pieces in 2010. Asserting his attachment to the gwoka of his native island, Lérus began experimenting his field, all the while delving into his cultural heritage with much respect. Entropie (2019) won the prix du Public at PODIUM 2021 held by Le Pacifique CDCN Grenoble Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and Gounouj – in situ, was a winner of the Mondes nouveaux programme initiated by the French ministry of Culture.

The musical body

In the traditional Léwòz community celebrations of Guadeloupe, dancers playfully improvise and challenge the solo percussionist, the makè, who follows their movements with the rhythmic beats of gwoka, a creole music. Having entered the circle and established a rapport with the makè, the dancer imposes change and risk-tasking. This role of dance, the symbiotic dialogue with music, is the focal point of Léo Lérus’ exploration. This workshop is an introduction to a certain groove, a conscience choice of dance moves and their impact on their environment, forming a musical whole.