The Berlin dance group Flying Steps has been on tour in Europe since 2014 with its biggest show to date: "Red Bull Flying Illusion". It combines dance with magic. This means that people dance through the air, suddenly disappear from the stage and reappear on the other side. All the movements are carefully considered and perfectly coordinated. Even the music was composed especially for the choreography.
The artistic troupe celebrated its major global breakthrough in 2011 with its classical-meets-breakdance show "Flying Bach". It amazed the classical music world in particular.
Vartan Bassil (42), is co-founder and artistic director of the ensemble. His declared aim is for breakdance to one day be held in the same esteem as classical dance, such as ballet. "It is important to us to build a bridge and show that breakdance is a real art discipline. And that it can certainly be raised to the level of high culture. And why not? Because breakdancing hasn't just been danced on the street for a long time."
"A dance group has never put on such a great show," says Benny Kimoto, world record holder in headspin. The Swiss dancer has been working with Bassil and the Flying Steps since 1998 and is one of the twelve show dancers. He is one of the world's best urban dancers.
"Dancers are not athletes, they are artists"
At the age of 16, Kimoto began training as a baker, but dropped out when he saw a headspin for the first time - and immediately felt his true calling.Over the years, he has always been surprised that the psychological pressure is greater than the physical pressure - despite intensive training. "We've been under pressure for twenty years. You know what you have to deliver for thousands of people every night."
Kimoto and Bassil not only defend themselves against prejudices about breakdancing, they also experience them in their private lives: "I always get checked at the airport just because I wear a bit of a beard," says Bassil, laughing: "No kidding, it happened to me once on seven flights in a row. You just have to make the best of it. Now I go up to security and say, 'Here I am!
RED BULL FLYING ILLUSION
26 - 27.05.2017, Hallenstadion Zurich
TICKETS
