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A 10-year lucky streak

The pioneer of 'short dance'; Lucky Trimmer; is back, providing a platform for a diverse range of dancers. With a decade of history, the show returns with old favourites and new talent on Apr 4 and 6 at Sophiensaele.

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Photo by Lauren Burst

Ten years ago, the Lucky Trimmer performance series introduced Berlin to a new way of experiencing dance: short and sweet. Performers have just 10 minutes to entice you, excite you and show you what contemporary dance looks like today.

This month the series is celebrating a decade of showcasing emerging and established artists’ creations with a special anniversary show. Although the acts may be short, brace yourself for big things. In 2004, Dr. Uwe Kästner and American choreographer Clint Lutes were a couple of ‘creative nomads’ looking to solidify a place for the short choreography genre. Believing that ‘short dance’, like short film and short stories, could hold its own, they launched Lucky Trimmer.

The series has since shone the spotlight on 150 contemporary dancers from around the world, giving them the chance to show audiences a glimpse of what they’ve got. From choreographed clowning around to theatre-dance, in its cabaret-like atmosphere Lucky Trimmer sets no boundaries.

The birthday celebrations will see the best ‘Luckies’ of the decade returning to the stage, including HARTMANNMUELLER + Tim Gerhards (photo) with their satirical ode to manhood; Jessy Tuddenham’s performance on the head-scratching art of folding a fitted sheet (with pointed toes and pirouettes, no doubt); and La Macana’s duet which defies the laws of physics. As well as additional Lucky artists, we’re told to expect a big birthday surprise.

What’s in store next? Although admitting to making it up as they go along, Lucky Trimmer plans to hit the road later in 2014 for a first-ever international tour based on the theme “The Wall”. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the show will premiere in Berlin in autumn before heading to New York, Jerusalem, Nicosia and Budapest.

10 YEARS LUCKY TRIMMER Apr 5, 20:00, Apr 6, 17:00, 20:00 | Sophiensaele