Performers Swap Roles: Singing and Dancing Take Turns at Mežaparks, Latvia

In the heart of Latvia, the banks of the Daugava River played host to a unique cultural event titled "Dance with Song" for the first time in 2022. The event, which took place either on Friday, 8 August, or Saturday, 9 August, in the evening, was a 2.5-hour spectacle that brought together music and dance in an integrated fashion.

The event's artistic director, Agris Danūilēvičs, emphasised the importance of viewing singers and dancers as a team, not as separate disciplines. This philosophy was reflected in the show's title and the seamless integration of music and dance throughout the performance.

The first day of the event passed in a "beach atmosphere" with sunny weather, as participants worked to put things together. Despite early morning challenges, vending machines offered only beer and cider from 9 AM on the opening day. By Thursday, a full day of rehearsals from 9 AM to 8 PM, the coffee issue was resolved.

The event featured a blend of traditional folklore in modern arrangements, compositions from the bands Pērkons and Zodiaks, singer Jānis Stībelis, the new indie folk rock band Idille, and many other compositions. The performers took their seats on the stage, which was usually reserved for spectators, while dancers performed on the grass slope where spectator benches usually are. Choirs stood on the sides of the same slope.

The rehearsal process for participants began two months prior with a weekend rehearsal camp in Limbaži, followed by four days in Mežaparks last week, and individual practice. A minor hiccup occurred on the morning of Wednesday, 6 August, when some participants arrived early for rehearsals but faced issues with vending machines due to a delayed service team and power outages in Mežaparks. However, this was swiftly addressed, and the rehearsals continued smoothly.

The event ended with a party that continued until Sunday morning, making it a memorable experience for all involved. It is worth noting that this year, the event involved over 8,000 participants, including 365 folk dance groups, choirs, and contemporary dance performers.

While specific details about the "Dance and Song event along the Daugava river in Latvia" for the years 2022 and 2023 are not readily available, other cultural events in Latvia and the broader Baltic region might offer similar experiences. For instance, the "Singers Dance, Dancers Sing" event in Mežaparks, Latvia, involves a unique blend of music and dance, but it does not specify any direct connection to the Daugava river. The Latvian Song and Dance Festivals are a significant part of Latvian culture, but the specific details of any events directly on the Daugava river for 2022 and 2023 are not mentioned. Boat tours along the Daugava River offer a way to experience Riga's culture and scenic views but do not specifically involve dance or song performances.

For detailed information about specific events along the Daugava river in 2022 and 2023, further research or local event archives might be necessary. One notable incident during the rehearsals was the discovery by the choirs that they had never been given the score for a Latgalian song (Zīdi, zīdi, rudzu vuorpa). However, the missing score was obtained before the final concerts.

As the sun sets over the Daugava River, the "Dance with Song" event stands as a testament to the power of integration and collaboration in the arts, symbolizing the connection of people, destinies, and historical memory.

The event titled "Dance with Song," held in Latvia alongside the Daugava River, incorporated singers, dancers, and musicians, such as Jānis Stībelis, Pērkons, Zodiaks, and Idille, in a seamless fusion of music and dance.
Participants of the "Dance with Song" event spent two months preparing for the spectacle, with weekend rehearsals in Limbaži, four days of rehearsals in Mežaparks, and individual practice.
The first day of the "Dance with Song" event featured a beach atmosphere and, starting from 9 AM, offered only beer and cider from vending machines.
The "Dance with Song" event, which emphasized unity among music and dance, took place on either Friday, 8 August, or Saturday, 9 August, in the evening, with performers occupying the traditional stage and dancers performing on the grass slope.
Despite minor hiccups like power outages and score missing issues during rehearsals, the "Dance with Song" event successfully brought together over 8,000 participants, including 365 folk dance groups, choirs, and contemporary dance performers.