Dvorana Dancers‘ History
Dvorana Dancers originated under the leadership of Jasan Bonuš in 1978 as one of the first dance companies pioneering American dancing in the Czech Republic.
Since its inception, the company performed on a significant number of balls and culture events in various places in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. They were also often invited to festivals in Germany and Denmark. They cooperated on a regular basis with Petr Novotný and the band of Fešáci, the bands of Nota bene, Texmeni, Noví Zelenáči and many others. In December 2000, the company succeeded in the national dance competition called “Stodola 2000” (Barn 2000) which they won, and in autumn 2003, they went on tour in the USA. The company perform their choreographies using recorded music or to the accompaniment of the Nota Bene bluegrass band.
Apart from “classical” country dances, Dvorana Dancers were the first to present the Czech audience with clogging. The former company head Jitka Bonušová gave the first performance of this kind in the Czech Republic. In a short time another, this time collective, performance followed. Thus clogging took a definitive hold within the country-western entertainment in the Czech Republic. Today, the company has six clogging performances. Within a couple of years this dance form had been adopted by other dance ensembles of a similar focus as part of their repertory. Therefore, it was time to come with something brand new again. This time Dvorana Dancers introduced dances from Scotland and Mexico. In 1993, the first performance in a genuine Mexican style came into the world. In 1995 the leading of the company was taken over by Jan Pumpr – Dvorana’s dancer until then. Together with Ludmila Chroustová they managed to broaden the repertory adding other dance numbers. Presently, the company offers the total of 24 dance acts. Less topical choreographies are gradually replaced by new ones. The company is able to make up a programme of the total length of 45-60 minutes. Such programme can also include teaching simple dances to the audience apart from dance demonstrations. Thanks to this, the programme can be extended and modified as requested.
In 1998, Dvorana Dancers started to cooperate with a private elementary art school of Music Art. Together they set the scene for a regular training of clogging and country dances at elementary art schools. They succeeded to prepare curriculum which was approved by the Ministry of Education. You can get further details at the website of Music Art.
Since 2002 Dvorana Dancers have been deepening the friendship and cooperation with Martin Žák and his band of Stará almara who are the most credible performers playing Old Time American music. Their presentation of American folk music carries the audience and listeners to the era of American settlement. Stará almara’s performance is accompanied by a very gripping narration about long forgotten musical instruments and stories. Dvorana Dancers take care of accompanying the programme with suitable dance demonstrations and country dance lectures.
In autumn 2007, Dvorana Dancers have established cooperation with the symphony orchestra lead by Mr. Boris Jedlička. Together they present 19th century music and dances. The performance is a turn-key programme prepared for the audience in France.