Islands of Empathy (in a sea of chaos)

In Dutch culture, we are taught to constantly be the best version of ourselves; as individuals, and independent of the needs of others. Whereas in countless other cultures, the emphasis is instead on the well-being of the collective and much less on personal development. A risk of empathy is forming such tight-knit groups that the gap with people outside that group widens.

Islands of Empathy is a collaboration with Senegalese griots; storytellers who keep traditions and history alive with dance, music and poetry. In Senegal, Club Guy & Roni met spiritual leaders, dancers and artists and talked to with about empathy and community. These conversations form the blueprint for Islands of Empathy.
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The combination of beats played live by Slagwerk Den Haag and Pape Seck and the characteristic explosive energy of Club Guy & Roni's ensemble makes for an overwhelming dance performance.

Islands of Empathy (in a Sea of Chaos) is part of Club Guy & Roni's Human Odyssey, which explores various human feelings such as love, fear, happiness and empathy from a cross-cultural perspective.

concept and choreography Roni Haver, Guy Weizman
cast (dancers) Camilo Chapela, Angela Herenda, Sofiko Nachkebiya, Adam Peterson, Igor Podsiadly, Awa Seck, Eliana Stragapede, Jésula Toussaint Visser cast (musicians) Niels Meliefste (Slagwerk Den Haag), Pape Seck
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composition Thys
light design Maarten van Rossem
dramaturgy Friederike Schubert