For many years, CCB has stood for high-quality contemporary dance – both regionally and beyond. In March 2024, there was a change in the leadership team: Guido Markowitz, Ballet Director at Theater Pforzheim, has taken over as chairman and artistic director of CCB. With a clear commitment, he says: WE DANCE! Together with the dedicated team and our audience, whom we aim to inspire and actively engage.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CCB PROGRAM 2025
The season kicks off with an outstanding program full of inspiring dance moments. The first highlight is the Long Night of Dance on May 30 in Villach and May 31 in Bleiburg. Under the artistic direction of Anna Hein and the production management of Mirjam Sadjak, the audience can expect an evening full of expressiveness, finesse, and impressive choreographies. International artists will present new perspectives on dance and invite the audience to be amazed. All program highlights were selected from over 130 applications by a curatorial team – ensuring an unforgettable experience. CCB will also continue its collaboration with the ImPulsTanz Festival as part of Public Moves in Klagenfurt in 2025.
Another highlight follows from July 28 to August 3, when CCB hosts the second edition of LABOR at Domenig Steinhaus. Under the leadership of Katharina Christl, Rector of the Palucca University of Dance Dresden, two choreographers will work with six dancers to explore new impulses for their artistic development. The results of this intensive week will be presented on August 3, 2025, at Domenig Steinhaus.
NEW CCB DANCE OFFICE IN VILLACH | BELJAK
Starting in spring 2025, the CCB Dance Office Villach | Beljak will be established as a central hub for the contemporary dance scene in Carinthia, Austria, and the Alpine-Adriatic region. With support from the city of Villach and the state of Carinthia, CCB will set up an office in Dinzlschloss. The goal is to connect dance professionals, strengthen the regional scene, and initiate cross-border projects. The Dance Office will build upon CCB’s existing structures and expand its function as a competence center for contemporary dance.
On June 11, CCB invites you to a Round Table at Dinzlschloss – a forum dedicated to promoting dance in the region, creating synergies, and building sustainable networks. In the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to watch the moving performance of "Tristan and Isolde" by the Tanztheater Pforzheim at the Congress Center Villach and engage in discussions with the artists.
As part of the Dance Office, a collaboration with the Freihausgasse Gallery is also planned for 2025. On October 4, 2025, the Dance Office will present contemporary dance at the Long Night of Museums, inviting the audience to a unique dance experience. Additionally, the Dance Office will focus on dance education and outreach. More workshops and school programs will be introduced to bring dance into both schools and senior homes. The first workshop series is planned from June 12 to 14, with another series in the fall, including performances in schools and senior residences.
Another Round Table in Bleiburg is planned for the fall, along with a collaboration exploring Schuhplatteln.
HIGH-CALIBER CURATORIAL TEAMS
For the 2025 program, we have expanded our curatorial teams. Since launching international calls for applications, we have received an increasing number of submissions – a record 210 applications for LABOR this year! This reflects the growing recognition of Carinthia as a hub for contemporary dance beyond Austria’s borders. The calls also help attract national and international choreographers and dancers to Carinthia and highlight their artistic contributions.
The curatorial team for the Long Night of Dance now includes Anna Hein (artistic director LNT), Guido Markowitz (artistic director CCB), Rio Rutzinger (ImPulsTanz, future artistic director Tanzquartier Wien), Hanspeter Horner (freelance director), and Susan Quinn (director of SEAD Salzburg). The jury for LABOR changes annually. The selection for 2025 was made by Katharina Christl (Rector of Palucca University of Dance, freelance choreographer), Dušana Baltić (artistic director of Festival Zugzwang & creative producer at Hungry Sharks Company, photographer), Theresa Pointner (head of press & marketing at brut Wien, freelance curator), and Mirjam Sadjak (CCB board member, dancer, cultural manager).
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW PROGRAM!
The CCB program and the CCB Dance Office Villach | Beljak aim to strengthen contemporary dance in Bleiburg, Villach, and the Alpine-Adriatic region. Our goal is to build bridges between artists, generations, and cultures. We look forward to an inspiring year full of dance!
