Performers L to R: Erik J. Christensen, Kadri Vihandi, Alo Vihandi, Mari Simm and Alo Siiak.
Photo courtesy of Tony Spinosa
On Friday, November 8, 2019, the Millenium Stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured a performance by Märt Agu and his Estonian Dance Troupe: Kingpoolid ja Ladvaubinad.
A standing-room only audience of over 300 people enjoyed the program as Märt Agu and his Estonian Dance Troupe brought a unique folk-pop interpretation of centuries old Estonian dance tradition updated for 21st Century audiences.
Choreographer Märt Agu is renowned for modernizing traditional Estonian dance. He has been a producer, choreographer, creative director and performer for numerous dance festivals and productions in Estonia, northern Europe and the United States, as well as a teacher of Estonian folk dance. Märt is founder and creative director of the Tallinn Dance Academy.
The program featured a significant new collaboration between choreographer Märt Agu and Broadway’s Tony Spinosa, creator of the new Europop musical, “Singing Revolution: The Musical” (www.SingingRevoluntionTheMusical.com), that tells the story of the real-life nonviolent events of how Estonia’s peaceful resistance and culture of music led to ending the Soviet Union’s 50 year occupation of Estonia in 1991.
Tony spoke of how an unexpected visit to Tallinn five years ago introduced him to Estonia, and how its history inspired him to develop this now Broadway-bound musical.
The performance finale featured a very special dance choreographed by Märt Agu just for one of the songs from the musical, “That’s What I’m Fighting For” with vocals by Erik J. Christensen and accompanied by Kingpoolid ja Ladvaubinad’s breathtakingly inspired dance.
The entire program has been archived and is available on the Kennedy Center’s website for all to enjoy at https://www.kennedy-center.org/video/index/M71407. Please have a look; you are in for a real treat!
The production was presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Estonia and the Washington Estonian Society
Peter Kopperman,
President, Washington Estonian Society
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