The Trajectoires festival: dance in Nantes

Every winter, the Trajectoires festival puts contemporary dance in the spotlight in Nantes. An ideal event to discover this living art, then, why not, to try it yourself.

A festival that throws the doors of dance wide open

Every winter, Nantes becomes the playground of contemporary and present-day dance. The Trajectoires festival unfolds dozens of performances across several venues in the metropolis, from the great theatre to the more intimate space. There you discover new creations, emerging companies that search and experiment, and already established artists pushing their own limits.

What makes this event precious is its accessibility. There is no need to be an expert to let yourself be moved. Contemporary dance is watched with the body as much as with the eyes. You feel a tension, a breath, a collective breathing, and you find yourself moved without always being able to explain it. That is precisely where its beauty lies.

What is contemporary dance?

Contemporary dance was born of a desire for freedom, that of breaking away from the strict codes of ballet to invent a language of its own. Here, there are no set figures or vocabulary to learn by heart. Each choreographer composes their own world, playing with the weight of the body, the floor, space, silence. It speaks of emotions, of human relationships, sometimes of social issues, with great sincerity.

For a first-time spectator, it is an invitation to let go. You have nothing you must decode. Let the images pass through you. If you would like to go further, our article Understanding contemporary dance gives you a few simple keys to appreciate what you are seeing, without needless jargon.

From spectator to dancer

Attending Trajectoires rarely leaves you indifferent. Many come out of a performance with a small urge that keeps growing. What if I moved like that too? We often see this curiosity arriving at the Atelier du Mouvement, carried by adults who had never dared, or who thought it was not for them.

The good news is that contemporary dance can be learned at any age and with no prerequisites. It welcomes bodies as they are. You begin by rediscovering simple sensations, weight, support, breathing, before daring the fuller movement. There is no level to reach in order to feel legitimate, only the pleasure of putting yourself into play.

The school's contemporary dance class

Our contemporary dance class was designed as a caring space, where you explore without judging yourself. Guided by an attentive teacher, you learn to listen to your body, to fill the space and to translate an intention into a gesture. Week after week, confidence takes hold, movement is freed, and you discover a very personal way of expressing yourself.

Whether you are a complete beginner or have already danced, there is a place for you in the studio. Our classes take place in Nantes, in the Doulon district, in a warm atmosphere where we make progress together.

Taking the plunge

Has the Trajectoires festival given you the urge? Keep the momentum going. Come and try, feel, dare. You can write to us with any questions or to arrange a first class. The contemporary dance you admire on stage also begins with a first step into a studio. Yours is waiting for you.