Q&A with Jazmin Chiodi – Artistic Director of the Dublin Dance Festival

Artistic Director Jazmin Chiodi tells us about the 21st edition of Dublin Dance Festival, taking place 13th-24th May this year. For further information, see https://www.dublindancefestival.ie/

What do you think about the creation of Ireland’s National Dance Company in Luail? What does it mean for Dance in Ireland?

The creation of Luail marks a ground-breaking moment for dance in Ireland – a real coming-of-age for the sector. It’s a moment of recognition and exciting expansion for dance. For the first time, we have a national dance company that reflects the richness, diversity, and ambition of Irish contemporary dance today. In my view, it sends a powerful signal, nationally and internationally, that Ireland is ready to claim its place on the global dance stage.

Luail opens the Dublin Dance Festival this year with their work Chora. Can you tell us a little about it?

Chora by Luail is a mixed bill presenting the world premieres of three short works by Liz Roche, Guy Nader and Maria Campos, and Mufuatau Yusuf. We are very excited to discover these three works, and we feel it’s the perfect way to open our 21st edition, marking a milestone moment for dance in Ireland.

These three works individually bring a unique and singular choreographic signature and are all connected by a shared sensitivity to the body, to space, and to human connection. Together, we will also discover the exceptional ensemble of Irish and international dancers that are part of the company, accompanied by the wonderful live music of the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

This is a one-night-only performance at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Ireland’s largest venue, which makes the occasion all the more special. For DDF, it also carries a deep personal resonance. At Dublin Dance Festival, we’ve always believed in the power of nurturing Irish dance artists and supporting their journeys. We’ve had the privilege of accompanying many artists from early-stage work to major commissions. Accompanying Liz Roche, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Luail, in the journey feels like a natural evolution. We’ve walked alongside Liz Roche for many years – supporting her early work, commissioning Bastard Amber for the Abbey Theatre (the first ever by an Irish choreographer for its main stage), and naming her as our first artist in residence. We’re thrilled to be opening our 21st edition with Luail’s premiere of Chora. –  Seeing Liz Roche take the stage with this new company is a beautiful, full-circle moment, and one that speaks to the power of long-term artistic partnership.

Chora is not just an opening – it’s an arrival. It’s a declaration of the extraordinary talent we have in Ireland, and a glimpse into the future of dance here.

This year, there are two productions in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. How exciting is it to have productions in such a large venue?

It’s incredibly exciting to be presenting work at such scale in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, and to be opening our 21st edition in a venue that holds such visibility and significance. We’ve partnered with BGET several times over the years, and it’s a space that allows audiences to experience dance in its most expansive and ambitious form.

That said, DDF is also about range and diversity – we’ll be presenting three productions at the Abbey Theatre, including powerful works by Oona Doherty and Qudus Onikeku, as well as Luke Murphy, our current artist in residence. We’re also working with Project Arts Centre, a long-standing partner and a home for adventurous events, and The Ark, with whom we’ll present a magical show for young audiences aged 6+.

Can you tell us about the first time you saw Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake? This is a major revival of this acclaimed production, now on its 30th anniversary tour. What can audiences expect?

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is iconic – radical and romantic all at once. Seeing it for the first time is unforgettable. This anniversary tour is bringing its unique spirit to a new cast of exceptional emerging dancers, breathing fresh energy into a work that still feels as bold as ever, even after 30 years on the road!

The qualities we admire in this piece – its courage, its playful subversion, its inclusivity – are echoed across the DDF 2025 programme. Whether it’s Luail’s arrival, Oona Doherty’s raw storytelling, or Qudus Onikeku’s blend of dance and visual arts in Re:INCARNATION, this year’s festival is full of works that challenge, delight, and resonate.

Oona Doherty returns with Specky Clark. What can we expect?

Oona Doherty is one of the thrilling and singular voices in dance today – and we’re proud to have supported her journey over many years, including during her time as a DDF artist in residence. With Specky Clark, she invites us to witness a powerful and deeply personal work that draws on themes of class, tradition, mythology, and memory – rooted in Belfast, the rituals of Samhain, and her own family history

I had the chance to see the world premiere last year in Aix-en-Provence, and it was a revelation. Specky Clark is a bold, genre-defying creation that blends dance, theatre, music, and text into a rich, visceral experience. It unfolds as a succession of tableaux, each following distinct characters and moods, guiding us through a journey that is at once intimate and carnivalesque

The piece is brought to life by a remarkable team: Enda Walsh as mentor/dramaturg, the magnetic voice of Stephen Rea, and the incredible music of Lankum, whose sound adds a raw, haunting beauty to the entire experience. Following her past works, this is a work that doesn’t shy away from darkness, but also celebrates resilience, humour, and the complexity of belonging.

This is Oona at her most ambitious – fearless, inventive, and deeply connected to the place she comes from. It’s a privilege to present this extraordinary work at the Abbey Theatre as part of DDF 2025 for four unique nights.

As ever, there are a variety of events to look out for around the City during the Festival. Can you recommend a few of the more diverse/ interesting events?

Absolutely! The city truly comes alive during the Festival, and this year’s special 21st edition programme invites audiences of all ages and interests to experience dance in fresh, surprising, and meaningful ways.

For music and movement lovers, there’s MOSH, a visceral, high-energy dance experience that pulses with raw intensity. Then, from the UK, for the first time in Ireland, we welcome Disco Neurotico – an immersive event specially designed for neurodiverse people to enjoy and surrender to rhythm, movement, and collective energy in a space where inhibition melts away.

Also on the music side, we’re proud to present Backstory Dances: A Dance to Remember, a very special event with Donal Dineen, one of Ireland’s most influential tastemakers in music and visual art. This is more than a DJ set – it’s a heartfelt homage to the people, songs, and dance moves that shape who we are. And we hope people will stay and join us for an unforgettable Disco Night at the Sugar Club.

The Hip Hop Jam is another unmissable event – celebrating cypher culture, freestyle, and the vibrant heartbeat of Hip Hop today. This year’s jam will feature a dynamic duo of female artists, Erine from France and Jessie Thompson from Ireland, creating a space for collaboration, exchange, and electric energy. The event culminates in a DJ set that promises to lift the roof.

For families, Fidget Feet brings their signature blend of magic and aerial wonder to a performance specially designed for young audiences. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to the joy and thrill of live performance

One of my personal highlights is the latest work from Boris Charmatz – a master of the unexpected, always pushing the limits of choreography and public space. And I’m equally excited about our Talks & Conversations series – a warm, open invitation to pause, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue. This year, we’re sharing those moments over lunch, expanding these exchanges that I truly believe are essential – not only for the Festival, but for the wider cultural conversation we’re part of.

DDF isn’t just about showcasing – it’s about connecting, questioning, and celebrating the many ways movement brings us together.

What do you do during the actual festival? Are you dashing around solving problems or just trying to see as much of the work as possible?

A bit of both! The Festival is a whirlwind – it’s a beautiful chaos where everything comes to life. I spend a lot of time on the move, checking in with artists, partners, and audiences, making sure everything flows behind the scenes… but I always carve out moments to watch the work. It’s important to witness what we’ve built and to be present for those shared moments in the theatre.

More than anything, the Festival is a gathering – a meeting place for Irish and international artists, for professionals, and for audiences. It’s a celebration, a conversation, and a reflection of where dance is now – and where it’s going next.

Dublin Dance Festival takes place from the 13th of the 24th of May, with events around the city.