Gran Bolero Gala in Cankarjev dom's Gallus Hall, 29 & 30 DEC 2024Just like Maurice Ravel's Bolero is a timeless classical composition, a musical ritual for an orchestra coming together as a musical community, the festive season’s Gran Bolero Gala is a dance ritual for two companies meeting as a dance community, and at the same time a communal ritual for everyone coming together as a social community. It is a ritual where bonds create unity through repetition and gradation results in a communal crescendo. Gran Bolero Gala is a spectacular, a dance that enraptures community through music, the community in turn enrapturing the stage, the event, the standout achievement.En–Knap, in collaboration with Cankarjev dom, which included the performance in its The Magnificent season series, presented Slovenian contemporary dance on the country’s largest stage for the first time.Jesús Rubio Gamo (1982) is an independent dancer and choreographer based in Madrid. After studying ballet, contemporary dance, theatre and literature, Jesús was awarded with a MAE-AECI grant to develop dance studies in a foreign country. He moved to London where he completed an MA in choreography at London Contemporary Dance School (Distinction). His work has been presented at Festivals such as Chantiers d’Europe (Théâtre de la Ville-Paris), Dancenet Sweeden, The Greenwich and Docklands International Festival (London), FAEL (Lima), Les Plateaux (La Briquetterie-Paris), Birmingham International Dance Festival, ARC for Dance (Athens), International Theatre Amsterdam, Hay Festival or Romaeuropa Festival. Jesús was selected two years in a row (2017 and 2018) by the Platform Aerowaves as one of the most relevant 20 young choreographers in Europe. In 2020 the Spanish National Radio presented him with the el OJO CRÍTICO Prize for his achievements in dance. Since its foundation, the renowned contemporary dance company, Zagrebški plesni ansambel (the only permanent contemporary dance group in Croatia) has remained uncompromising in its artistic expression. The Zagreb Dance Company has trained a number of dancers and dance experts who are now working in Croatia and abroad. The Company has an enviable continuity of its work, and has performed at all important festivals in Croatia and internationally. Zagreb Dance Company has gained renown for the originality of its productions which are characterised by the performative energy and the unique readiness to face the challenges of different artistic approaches and poetics. Abroad, the Company has taken part in important festivals and events across Europe, as well as Mexico, Egypt, Korea and Israel. The company continually works on professional education of its dancers, through collaboration with renowned Croatian and international choreographers and pedagogues. CreditsFilming & Editing: Sašo PodgoršekVideo Statements: Markus RöderDrone Shots: Omar IsmailDesign: Marko DamišConcept & Choreography: Jesús Rubio GamoAssistant of Choreography: Alicia CabreroAssistant of Choreography in Slovenia & Croatia: Clara PampynPerformers: En–Knap Group (Mattia Cason, Tina Habun, Davide Lafabiana, Tamás Tuza, Carolina Alessandra Valentini, Nika Zidar) & Zagreb Dance Company (Luna Lilek, Nika Lilek, Silvija Musić, Endi Schrötter, Linda Tarnovski, Karlo Topolovec) Music: José Pablo Polo, after the original Boléro by Maurice RavelLighting Design: Leon Curk after the original design by David PicazoSound Edit: Gal Škrjanec SkaberneCostume Design: Katarina Markov (Atelje d.o.o.)Production: En–Knap Productions & Zagreb Dance CompanyIn collaboration with Cankarjev dom, and with the support of the City of Ljubljana – Department of Culture. A part of Magnificent subscription series 2024/25, sponsored by Petrol.Special Thanks:Ivana Avzner, Nohemi Barriuso, Lora Besvir, Mateja Brglez, Francesca Carletti, Maja Culiberg, Alenka Dereani, Matteo Dainese, Jože Drabik, Maddalena Franz, Rozalija Hrvacki, Romana Humar, Neža Koprivnik, Staša Kraljič, Alja Alica Lacković, Majda Lekše, Metoda Pavlič, Anže Petrač, Boštjan Resnik, Daša Resnik, Lili Resnik, Gemma Santiago, Miha Smrekar, Vesna Škreblin, Luka Vidović, Jana Kovač Valdes, Tina Zelenković, Julian Rhind-Tutt2025