In a first, improv fest to be held in four cities

Now in its 12th year, the Seoul International Improvisation Dance Festival, organized by the International Performing Arts Project, is set to start on April 9 continues with six days of experimental dance. A total of 300 artists from eight countries, including the Netherlands, Slovenia, Japan and France, will visit Seoul for a full schedule of performances and workshops.

For the first time, the festival will be held in four cities. After kicking off in Seoul, the festival moves to Busan from April 14 to 17 and then moves on to Fukuoka, Japan, from April 19 to 21 and finally to Tokyo from April 23 to 25.

The festival in Japan will be focused on workshops and exchanges between Japanese and Korean artists. According to the organizers, this year's festival will also offer more in-depth activities for the public. Post-performance discussions will be longer and the number of workshops has increased to 27.

The audience will also be invited to participate in an improvisation jam to be held on the first day of the festival at 1 p.m. at the Mullae Art Space in Yeongdeungpo District, southwestern Seoul.

The workshop series starts tomorrow with classes for elementary school students and on Sunday for adults. The workshops will be led by festival regular Katie Duck, an American dancer and a choreographer based in the Netherlands who has performed throughout Europe and the U.K. Music will be provided by Alfredo Genovesi, who works closely with Duck.

By Yim Seung-hye [[email protected]]

The Seoul International Improvisation Dance Festival 2012 is from April 9 to 14 at various venues, including the Mullae Art Space and Arko Art Center. Tickets for each performance range from 10,000 won to 20,000 won, and classes are 20,000 won per person. For more information, visit www.ipap.co.kr or call (02) 3674-2210.