#Hashtag 2.0, Pockemon Crew
The superb Malibran Theatre in Venice hosts a visit by the irrepressible Pockemon Crew in a series of performances of their updated dance show, #Hashtag 2.0. The choreography of the dance group explores the world of social networks, inspired by the language of hip hop, Pockemon Crew's speciality. Choreographed by Riyad Fghani, #Hashtag 2.0 features music by Flavine Taulelle. This modern ballet was developed from a show that was originally choreographed by Fghani specifically for Pockemon Crew. This version of #Hashtag 2.0 has been updated to reflect an increasingly digital world which, as the dance crew say, is one in which you don't exist if you don't tag yourself.
According to Pockemon Crew, the dance performance helps audiences to explore many of today's digitised behaviours in a thought-provoking way. #Hashtag 2.0 focuses on a world in which many of us walk with our eyes glued to our screens these days rather than looking around us. Fghani's choreography seeks to transcribe this digital world into performance that opens up a singular emotional space that's conducive to the sort of dynamic dance that Pockemon Crew is known for. Alternating between narrative passages and more acrobatic moments, the dance highlights modern day issues and then brings audiences back to reality, reflecting the true nature of their own digital lives. In #Hashtag 2.0, theatre-goers are faced with a choreographic work which not only appeals to the senses through the aesthetics of dance but which asks questions about perception and sensitivity, as well.
Born in 1979 in France, Fghani began to become immersed in the world of hip-hop at the age of 15, at the time by watching his older brother and his friends dance. In 1995, the aspiring dancer moved to Lyon where he perfected many of his movements and dance techniques. Fghani was present from the early days of Pockemon Crew when it was just getting off the ground. In 2004, he directed the first creation for the dance company, Sii…si!, which, like #Hashtag 2.0, allowed him to showcase all of the energy and technical movements that make hip-hop dance so appealing.
Pockemon Crew were a group of hip-hoppers who trained on the forecourt of the Opéra de Lyon until the director asked them to conduct their rehearsals indoors. They've come a long way since those days in the late 1990s as anyone who is fortunate enough to witness #Hashtag 2.0 will, no doubt, agree. Given the stylish choreography and excellent venue in the heart of Venice, this dance show will thrill a wide range of audience-goers.