1GUH WATCH is a choreographic gesture that invites Dancehall into the Contemporary dance space.

By proposing and facilitating Jamaican dancers a stage for spontaneity, focus is placed not only in Dancehall’s rich, detailed, and extensive choreographic vocabulary but even more so on its playfulness. Acting and reacting off of each other, the work explores what can unfold within the dancers’ impromptu embodied language as well as detailed crafted choreographic work on musicality and lyrics.This positioning of Dancehall within a contemporary dance theatre space brings forth themes of authenticity, collectivity, contemporaneity and institutionality. Through the discrepancies that arise from this gesture, the intention is to present Dancehall in its raw essence through its creators and highlight the powerful creativity, unity and vibes that characterise the everyday emotions, struggles, and triumphs within dancehall expression.

Departing from this proposal by Switzerland-based Spanish choreographer Tamara Alegre, a team of co-creation is formed with Jamaican dance artists Dynamic Legends, Miss Rose, Shanky Equanoxx, Unruly Pyrotech, DJ Pappi and guests, along with Finnish photographer eye juice.

The work reflects structurally on how such a project can materialise, with who and for who, as well as on topics such as the place of black social dances in white western institutions, the problematics of creating from a privileged position with a culture that comes from the margins and ghetto of Jamaica, the inherent divisions between what is considered art or culture and the educational aspect and outreach of Dancehall.

The show has an open format that ensures that each show will be unique and, secondly, allows Jamaican dancers on tour or based in Europe to easily join in as guests. The work will be presented concurrently with dance workshops in each location, allowing for local and international dancehall community building. For Lausanne, a partnership with Powered by Maza permits to combine shows with workshops through the Badness Dancehall Event. Workshop bookings: impartassociation@gmail.com

Tamara works in the field of dance and choreography. Born in Gran Canaria, they studied European Business and Psychology and worked as an underground music curator, DJ and tour manager until 2016. In 2018, they completed a master’s degree in choreography at DOCH, Stockholm, and presented FIEBRE, co-signed since 2019 with Lydia Ö Diakité, Marie Ursin, Nunu Flashdem and Célia Lutangu. The work has been presented in several venues in Europe and won the Young Choreographer’s Award in 2021. Their research revolves around sensual embodiments, fictions of sexuality/sexual organs and liminal physical states as choreographic tools. Her work is embodied and charged with resistance, intensity, self-pleasure and the power of dancing together.
Tamara has a growing passion for Dancehall and questions how to position herself as a white person with access to black culture, as well as the navigation between her work and Dancehall.
They is currently resident artist at the Arsenic, Lausanne, where they has created and presented NX FUIMO with Elie Autin, Marga Alfeirão and Cuba en 2022.
Recently, they has been concentrating on teaching, notably at La Manufacture, Lausanne, and Impulstanz, Vienna, while organising different types of workshops in collaboration with her collaborators, associations such as Rainbow Spot and CHO in Lausanne, and also with Jamaican artists.
The combination of working as a dancer, creating works, running workshops and taking part in collaborative practices is essential to them.

Dynamic Legends is a dance crew that started in 2019 and has three members: Fancy, Devy and Blazer. The main style of dance, Dancehall, is a part of their culture. Members of the group have had over 16 years of professional experience in the industry.  They have taught many Dancehall workshops across North America, Europe and have been on tour in Colombia.

Miss Rose is a dancer from London who has spent the last 9 years perfecting her art of Dancehall. Originally from a Caribbean background, she has danced to Dancehall rhythms since the age of 5. Her goal is to unify the community, bring more understanding of Dancehall and preserve this culture. She has performed on numerous stages, festivals and carnivals such as Indigo Greenwich, Manchester Carnival and others, collaborating with artists such as Skillibeng, Stormzy, Chi Ching Ching, La Lee, Popcaan and Shenseea among others.

Unruly Pyrotech is born in Constant Spring, Kingston, Jamaica. Unruly was forced to migrate to the US at the age of five. Growing up in a Caribbean household and community, reggae and dancehall culture have always been an integral part of his life. He has been regularly teaching dancehall workshops both locally and internationally. He’s also worked with artists such as Cardi B, Hood Celebrityy, Mr. Vegas, Kranium, and Rotimi.

eye juice, called Lumi Pulkkinen,  is a Finnish photographer and dancehall dancer with a background in cultural analysis and visual communication. In practice, they explore dance and dancehall through creative and conceptual projects, often working with media such as photography, videography, graphic design and more. Pulkkinen is recognized in the international dancehall community under the pseudonym ‘eye juice’ as an enthusiastic student of Jamaican culture.

Rasheed Whyte (also known as Rollx) was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, is a professional Dancehall Dancer and Choreographer, leader of the world famous Hectic Dymondz formed in 2012. Self-taught dancer, Rollx started training during his high school years, inspired by the popular dancehall music videos of that time. Since 2012 the group Hectic Dymondz has gained popularity locally and internationally. Their work was featured in many music videos of artists like Wayne Wonder, Spice, Tia, Fredo, Popcaan, Tory Lanes, Yemi Alade, RDX, Voicemail, Razorb, Konshens, JahCure, Mya, laa lee, Buju banton & Victoria Monet.

Dj Pappi is a Selecta from Kingston Jamaica , now living in Paris. He is the CEO and founder of Young Vybz Sound based in Jamaica, France and America, he is in the entertainment industry for more than a decade. He was a dancer before he became a dj.