Portfolio
photo credits: Luís Conde
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ENCONTRO - POETRY SHOW (2018)
Premiere at the Teatro Meridional (Lisbon, February 2018) Two brothers meet to celebrate the texts and songs of Pedro Branco's work. A dancer appears and "enters" into the warmth of the words, the voice, the guitar and the red wine. In the room are the hearts and are the souls... Pedro Branco: songs and poems; José Santos: poetry recitation |
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SAPHIR Investigation on Choreosophy with Michel Raji, the Choreosopher A study on movement departing from the starlike Venus' position in the zodiac of six dancers. 'Saphir' was the result of a residency in France in choreosophy with Abdeslam Michel Raji, in 2016. It was presented to the public in the III International Danza Duende Gathering, in Serpa, in the same year. |
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DAQUI PRA CÁ (2014-15) InPulsar, an association for community development based in Leiria, with the support of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, through the PARTIS programme, developed a social inclusion project involving two groups of children and teenargers. One of the them was of Romani origin and the other was Gadjè. The latter were preparing themselves to become professional dancers. |
In this unprecedented project, the children were introduced to the other group's habits, way of life, tastes and so on, through different activities like theatre, drawing, dancing, photographing, without meeting the other group for 6 months, after which both groups finally met face to face. Mónica gave dance classes to the children at the invitation of Anna Wesolek.
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PÁLINKA - Romani Dances Company (2008 - 2017) Pálinka was a company consisting of five professional dancers who were passionate for Romani music and dance. Inspired by the tradition of Romani dances from different regions of Europe, the company created its own original repertoire in an atmosphere of humor, drama, elegance and poetry. The audience could appreciate dances ranging from the Transylvanian csingeralas, to the fierce Russian and Central European ones, the Turkish Roman Havasi and |
even the flamenco expression, among many others. They still give shows from time to time.
(www.palinkaperformances.blogspot.pt)
(www.palinkaperformances.blogspot.pt)
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GADJÈ - Live Music and Dance (2009-2012) Ten Gadjè artists (a term designating the 'non-Romani population) created an exceptional show with tradition, fantasy, humour and poetry combined. Gadjé featured Romani musical and choreographic repertoire from Central European and Eastern European regions, but also from the Iberian Peninsula's Gitanos, as well as some Klezmer pieces. |
photo credits: Pauliana PImentel
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ÊXTASE (2009) Êxtase was a show created and produced by Carolina Fonseca. It was inspired by "Spectrum of Ectasy," a book by Ngakpa Chogyan and Khandro Dechen which addresses the five wisdom energies of the Vajrayana Buddhism. Mónica was part of the dancers, as well as Bharata-Natyam artists Tarikavalli and Tatiana Bonança, and Kung Fu master Guilherme Luz. (extasexperience.wordpress.com) |
photo credits: Luís Conde
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VINAYAKA Journey on the Back of My Elephant (Dance-theatre show for children - 2008-2014) Tarikavalli and Mónica took the children on a journey to meet the ancient art of Bharata Natyam as well as the Silk Road. This mythical route, a symbol of the East and West interchanges along history, was the scene for this adventure. Following the footsteps of Vinayaka, a curious and amusing elephant, the little ones would discover through music and dance the soul of those magical and distant lands, while learning about Ganesha, in a plot full of magic and grace ... |
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TRAVERSÉES Contemporary Middle-eastern dance Compagnie Adelante (2007-2008) Two women cross the sea, dreaming of love and glory. Upon arrival on the other shore, their dreams are broken by violence and death. Thus begins another crossing, that of the desert. To survive, they must mourn their past lives and find new paths. With simplicity and dignity, they learn to dance their lives. Traversées is an initiatory journey through hardship, discoveries and transformation... |
The show "Traversées", was produced by Lebanese dancer Nada Chouaib in 2007 from the Compagnie Adelante, based in Paris. The premiere took place at the Théâtre de Ménilmontant, but the company also performed at the well-known Institut du Monde Arabe.
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CIGANOS D'OURO (2003-2007) Mónica was invited to perform with the Portuguese Gipsy Band "Ciganos d'Ouro" on several occasions, such as the Festival Noites na Nora 2007 (Serpa, Portugal) and the XIV Festival de Artes de Macau (China). She danced both as a soloist and together with other artists, such as Myriam Szabo, Carolina Fonseca, Tânia Luís and Joana Saahirah. |
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QUEJÍO DEL DESIERTO Contemporary flamenco Luna Flamenca (2005) A contemporary approach to flamenco, fado and Arabic dance. Produced by Rosario Peinado, dancer and choreographer from Seville, director of the Luna Flamenca Co. The show featured Rosario Peinado, Carolina Fonseca and Mónica, and was accompanied with live music. The première took place at Chiclana de La Frontera. |
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DAZKARIEH World Music (2002-2003) Mónica collaborated with Dazkarieh, a band that played traditional Portuguese music, alternative rock and neofolk, as a percussionist and solo dancer. The band, which ended in 2014, stood out for its original sounds, inspired by inumerous cultures, real or fictitious, and used a wide variety of musical instruments. |
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ZAMBRA Middle-eastern fusion dance (2001-2007) 'Zambra' (from the Arabic samra) was the name that designated the Moorish festivities of the Hispanic peninsula, which were characterized by great fanfare, rejoicing and jubilation. Zambra was born in 2001 in Lisbon, at a time where Middle-eastern dance was almost unknown to the Portuguese public. By introducing elements of African, Indian, Thai, Turkish, Moroccan, Romani, Flamenco and many other dance expressions in their shows, the five artists |
that formed this pioneer adventurous Company printed their own stories, legends and myths in their creations. Graceful and elegant, their very specific "fusion" was the result of much research and dedication, sharing and enthusiasm.
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Escola de Ballet Clássico Espanhol Celia Neves Mónica began her dance studies with Flamenco and Spanish Classical Ballet (Escuela Bolera) in Lisbon in 1991, at the Escola de Ballet Clássico Espanhol Celia Neves. Within its corps de ballet, she performed in several venues, such as the Maria Matos, the Trindade and the Luisa Todi theaters, as well as in different events and television programs. |
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