Choreography by Julia Ehrstrand | Artistic residence in Almada
Premiered on 2019 April 27th, in Auditório Municipal Fernando Lopes-Graça, Almada

"It’s an interesting phenomenon that we should step away from something when we move towards something else. Our lives are in constant motion as we leave behind memories, past experiences and old relationships. Often we reach milestones where we think we’ve achieved our goals and yet still we strive for more.

We continue moving forward, strengthening ties with the people around us, continuing this pursuit of satisfaction. Only then to break our boundaries and start the process over again. Often we find ourselves in an inner struggle, entangled in our own thoughts, in which we feel we must run to escape the prison we have created for ourselves.
This constant state of agitation exists between us. We try, and we find a deeper connection to people who are on the same path, albeit in a little reflection of time. We must learn to find energy within ourselves to continue along the path that is ours. Take advantage of everything that life has to offer: the struggles, the joys, the disruption, the laughter. Everything that makes us who we are and allow us to relate to those around us as we enter the future, leaving our past lives behind us." Julia Ehrstrand

About the author

Julia Ehrstrand has a degree in Dance / Teaching from DOCH/University of Circus and Dance (Stockholm). She studied at the Institut del Teatro (Barcelona) and in 2009 trained at DNA through the ISVP (International Student Visa Program) program. She danced for TNSP - The Next Stage Project, Jana Hicks / Marijke Eliasberg, Max Stone, SexyBeastNYC, Carrasco Dance Company, Lane Co Arts and Collective Noir, among others. Her choreographies have already been performed on several stages in the U.S., Europe and Asia. She’s taught at the Julliard School in New York and has given dance classes at different institutions such as The Jose Limon Dance Company, The Royal Swedish Ballet School in Stockholm, DOCH University of Dance and Circus (Stockholm), Balettakademien (Stockholm), gave daily professional classes for Danscentrum (Stockholm), Amsterdam School of the Arts (Amsterdam), UiS/University in Stavanger and PRODA (Norway), for the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive, Ballet Hispanico, Peridance Capezio Center, Gina Gibney Dance, DNA, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center and SUNY Purchase. Júlia has danced, choreographed and taught in China, Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, Uganda and Ethiopia. Recently, along with Max Stone, she co-choreographed a piece for the Rainforest Foundation Fund, performed at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, New York. This organisation is managed by the musician Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, and has as its main objective the protection of tropical rainforests and their indigenous peoples. Her work has already been selected for festivals such as the Bryant Park Contemporary Dance Festival in New York, 2018, and FIDCDMX, in Mexico City. She is currently teaching at Steps on Broadway, Peridance and Gibney Dance Studios.

Artistic overview

Choreography: Julia Ehrstrand
Performance: Bruno Duarte, Carlota Sela, Francisco Ferreira, Luís Malaquias, Mariana Romão e Raquel Tavares
Music: Pan Sonic, Nils Frahm, Emptyset

20' |  ages 6 and above