The dAS Festival returns to Piacenza from 17 to 20 September 2026, with a preview on 16 September. This multidisciplinary event, dedicated to the arts of dance and choreography, is organised by the De Arte Saltandi Cultural Association.
dAS Festival – Theme and Variations
When: 17-20 September 2026
Where: various locations, Piacenza
The fourth edition, entitled Theme and Variations, takes the audience on an imaginary journey through the classics: models to follow, sources of inspiration from which to draw new forms and tools to question the present through dialogue with the past. Performances, music and talks will take place across the historic centre, exploring the duality between history and reinterpretation, between cultural heritage and the contemporary.
This edition also represents an important step towards the festival’s internationalisation, thanks to the participation of artists from France, Spain, Belgium, Malta and Germany.
Program
Surprise preview
When: Wednesday 16 September 2026, 10am
Where: INPS Office, Piazza Cavalli
Live performance by William Cochart, a freestyler and acrobatic footballer, capable of bringing his movement and artistic expression to a unique showcase performance.
Folk Songs
When: Thursday 17 September 2026, 6 pm
Where: Auditorium Santa Margherita, Via Sant’Eufemia, 12
The festival’s opening celebration begins with a concert featuring mezzo-soprano Paola Lo Curto and pianist Maria Rosa Piccione.
Inaugural toast
When: Thursday 17 September 2026, 7 pm
Where: Courtyard of Honour, Palazzo Rota Pisaroni, Fondazione Piacenza e Vigevano, Via Sant’Eufemia, 13
The reception is offered by La Torretta Winery (Loc. La Torretta, Val Tidone).
Constellations: Myth and Astronomy
When: Friday 18 September 2026, 4 pm
Where: Entrance hall of the Liceo Ginnasio Melchiorre Gioia, Viale Risorgimento, 1
Professor Maria Cristina Bolla (teacher at the Liceo Gioia) and Mr Danilo Caldini (Piacenza Amateur Astronomers’ Group) will guide us through the key themes of the afternoon’s performances with an in-depth exploration in true dAS style.
Lecture, duration 40 minutes
Dioscuri – dance
When: Friday 18 September 2026, 5 pm
Where: First floor of Liceo M. Gioia, Viale Risorgimento, 1
The performance by the Dioscuri duo explores body language and is a pas de deux inspired by the myth of Castor and Pollux, created by choreographer Oliviero Bifulco.
Performance, duration 20 mins
Le Palestriti
When: Friday 18 September 2026, 6.30 pm
Where: M. Gioia High School Gym, Viale Risorgimento, 1
Le Palestriti is inspired by the ancient Roman mosaics of Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina. The show is specially adapted to the high school gym. The show by Simona Bertozzi, a choreographer and dancer from Bologna, is nominated for the 2025 UBU Award for best dance performance.
Dance, duration 50 mins Admission €15
dAS Chat
When: Friday 18 September 2026, 7.30–9.00 pm
Where: Palazzo Ghizzoni Nasalli garden, Via Serafini, 12
A chance to socialise over a picnic on the lawn. An open discussion of ideas and opinions on your experience of the dAS Festival with artists, the team and the audience.
The menu is curated by La dolce dispensa.
Dance for Screen – screening and awards ceremony
When: Friday 18 September 2026, 9.00 pm
Where: greenhouse at Palazzo Ghizzoni Nasalli, Via Serafini, 12
Let’s find out together which short film from the ‘Dance for the Screen’ section is chosen as the winner by the jury and the audience. From the many entries received from all over the world, we will award the creator of the best dance film, who will have the opportunity to embark on a future collaboration with the dAS Festival.
Presented by Eleonora Marzani, project coordinator, alongside Fu Le, chair of the jury.
Screening and awards ceremony, duration 1 h. Admission €5.
Conveying dance: codes and diversity
When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 11.00 am
Where: Galleria Biffi Arte, Via Chiapponi, 39
For the first time in Piacenza, Rosita Mariani from La Scala in Milan and Sara Accettura from the University of Malta discuss the practices and challenges of teaching contemporary dance to classical dancers and people with disabilities.
Dance conference, duration 1 h
Coaching: Sleeping Beauty – open rehearsals
When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 4 pm
Where: Teatro Gioia, Via Melchiorre Gioia, 20
Anita Magyari, former principal dancer at La Scala in Milan, coaches dancers Alice Massironi and Paolo Batta. A unique opportunity to see this special class live.
Duration: 90 mins. Admission: €10
Le Royaume des ombres and Signe blanc
When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 6 pm
Where: Teatro Gioia, Via Melchiorre Gioia, 20
Noé Soulier, an internationally renowned choreographer, and Vincent Chaillet, a former dancer with the Paris Opera, take the audience on a journey through a performance dedicated to the iconic languages of dance, such as classical ballet and the gestures of pantomime.
Dance, duration 30 mins
Classical Indian dance – dance lecture
When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 7 pm
Where: Salone Monumentale, Biblioteca Passerini Landi, Via Carducci, 14
Marcella Cappelletti and Moritz Zavan Stoeckle introduce ‘Bharatarathyan’, one of the most iconic Indian dances.
Danced lecture, duration 30 mins. Free entry (donations welcome)
dAS Chat
When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 8–9.30 pm
Where: Garden of Palazzo Ghizzoni Nasalli, Via Serafini, 12
A chance to socialise over a picnic on the lawn. An open exchange of ideas and opinions on your experience of the dAS Festival with artists, the team and the audience.
The menu is curated by La dolce dispensa.
Giorgio Granelli Live
When: Saturday 19 September 2026, 10 pm
Where: Palazzo Ghizzoni Nasalli garden, Via Serafini, 12
Live concert by Bergamo-based singer-songwriter Giorgio Granelli and his band; Granelli will be performing his new songs.
Concert, admission €10 (with a beer provided by Luppoleria).
Why do classics become classics? Lecture and coffee
When: Sunday 20 September 2026, 10 am
Where: Auditorium Santa Margherita, Via Santa Eufemia, 12/13
Listen to the lecture by Prof. Donatella Vignola, over a cup of tea or coffee.
Analysing dance: choreology – a danced lecture
When: Saturday 20 September 2026, 3 pm
Where: Volumnia, Former Church of Sant’Agostino, Stradone Farnese, 33
Claudia Monticone introduces us to choreology, or the analytical study of movement.
Dance, duration 50 mins.
Estudios Elementales – dance/music
When: Saturday 20 September 2026, 5 pm
Where: Salone d’onore, Palazzo Anguissola Cimafava Rocca, Via Giordani, 2
A staged dialogue between Jesus Rubio Gamo and violinist Luz Prado, featuring music and dance.
Admission €15
Le sacre du Printemps – Xavier Le Roy
When: Saturday 20 September 2026, 7.00 pm
Where: Hall of the G. Nicolini Conservatory of Music, Via Santa Franca, 35
Dance/music, duration 40 mins