Open Your Heart

“Open Your Heart” is a disco dance performance created by Taneli Törmä (FIN/DK) that researches and questions the core of dancing. The performance looks into different situations and how they support or prevents us in the act of dancing. When have we really danced the last time? Have we ever danced, and when do we enjoy doing it? Have you ever thought why and how it feels to dance that way?

The era of disco dancing as we commonly know it today in Europe began in the US in 1970s, as celebrated freedom, enjoyment, togetherness, and social meeting. Today, the former cultural phenomenon has become an aerobic form of competitive dance, especially among young people. Competitors in outstanding costumes, daring make-up, with sparkling and tanned skin compete on the dance floor in solo, duo and group categories.

Choreographer Taneli Törmä is interested in how to re-adapt the aesthetics of modern freestyle-disco dance to the community situation, where the aim would no longer be to perform or compete, but to bring dancing people together in enjoyment. With the help of thirteen local young dancers, “Open Your Heart” will search for the joy of moving – dancing again like a child.

Taneli Törmä – LOCATION X is an award-winning choreographer and performing artist, with international and interdisciplinary experience. As a teacher, performer, fundraiser, idea maker and curator he focuses on developing the performing arts towards a more diverse, intercultural, multi-perspectial and innovative form.

Performances at Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava on December 11th and 12th, 2021.