Encounter Bolero in Kaohsiung

　Jhou Shu-yi is currently touring his dance performance "Bolero in Kaohsiung." The 35 dancers in the show will do 28 performances in 14 administrative districts and at 18 landmarks around Kaohsiung. Jhou Shu-yi selected the various locations, including cultural spots, landmarks, scenic areas, small towns, temples, etc., to serve as various backdrops for the performance. 

　In 2009, dancer Jhou Shu-yi returned to Taiwan to perform "1875 Ravel and Bolero." Britain's Sadler's Wells Theatre had recognized the production; however, as an unknown dancer at that time, it wasn't easy to get booked by a theater. Yet, he still believed people would enjoy his production and began performing on the street!

　In 2011, Jhou Shu-yi produced the "Dance-Travel Project." He toured it in 14 cities, where he performed 60 free shows in outdoor spaces. He does not perform on a stage, uses no lighting or special effects, and adheres to local conditions and culture.

　In June 2020, Jhou Shu-yi became the first resident artist at National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying). "Many people have never seen modern dance," he explains. To make modern dance more visible, he feels it can be utilized to bridge the gap between the arts and the public. For his "Bolero in Kaohsiung," he sought out 18 locations to become performance venues, including downtown areas and surrounding townships. He chose Pier-2 Art Center, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Lotus Pond Scenic Area, Cishan Tianhou Temple, and Dashu Old Railroad Bridge as performance venues. "I want to connect the dots of the city and use dance to bring back the audiences' life memories." During the post-epidemic era, he hopes his performances will eliminate the wariness and distance people have become accustomed to and help them return to a harmonious state.

　After the interview, Jhou Shu-yi and the dancers rehearsed at Banyan Plaza in Weiwuying. Although there was no stage, spotlight, or glitzy set, many passersby still stopped to watch. "Even when people don't know what the performance is all about, they still become mesmerized by it." He hopes everyone in Kaohsiung will come out to see the show. Whether you enjoy the arts or are just a passerby, it is a fantastic performance that everyone will find entertaining.

邂逅《波麗露在高雄》

　　衛武營國家藝術文化中心首位駐地藝術家周書毅帶著35位舞者，預計走遍高雄14個行政區、18個演出地點，演出28場《波麗露在高雄》舞作，翩然舞進文化場域、著名地標風景區、小鎮廟埕等。

　　時間回到2009年，舞蹈家周書毅帶著英國沙徳勒之井劇院獲獎作品《1875 拉威爾與波麗露》回到臺灣，默默無聞的他，難以爭取到劇院演出機會，因為想要跳舞給更多人看的初衷，他決定上街跳舞！

　　2011年，周書毅啟動「舞蹈旅行計畫」，不搭臺、不架燈、因地制宜的演出方式，免費在各城市的公共空間表演，走過14座城市、累積60場演出。

　　周書毅2020年6月成為衛武營首位駐地藝術家。「也許很多人只是沒機會遇見現代舞。」為了讓更多人看見現代舞，他以現代舞打破藝術和民眾的距離。周書毅親自走訪各處，挑選適合的表演場地，18個演出地點從市中心到鄉鎮，涵蓋駁二藝術特區、市立美術館、蓮潭風景區、旗山天后宮、大樹舊鐵橋等地點。「我想在城市中連起一個面，用舞蹈讓彼此的生活記憶產生關聯。」在後疫情時代，周書毅希望藝術表演能消除人與人之間的戒心與距離，回到和諧的狀態。

　　採訪當天，周書毅和舞者們在衛武營榕樹廣場彩排，現場沒有高起的舞臺、沒有灼人的聚光燈，散步的路人紛紛被舞蹈吸引，駐足圍觀，「即使不知道表演內容，都願意停下來觀看。」不管你是追著波麗露趕場的鐵粉，還是巧遇的路人，在高雄，讓舞蹈成為生活中最美好的邂逅。