There was laughter and a swath of music filling the air, alongside artists and stage lovers of every stripe. It marked this evening’s appointment with the Valencia Performing Arts Awards, with the Alicante Main Theater serving as the meeting point for a gala directed by Joanfra Rozalén of Alcoy. A night that celebrated Alicante’s dancing talent, recognizing four of the nine awards it seeks, and underscoring the high level reached by the performing arts beyond the city’s borders.
Alicante’s Calderon achieved best dancer, carrying a sense of longing, and swept up three awards in total, including best dance performance and choreographic direction.
The dancer spoke on behalf of the company to join the campaign picture and celebrate the idea that until institutions and all professionals in the industry recognize themselves as members of the same community, decent working conditions will remain elusive for many.
Alicante captured the top honor in best dancers. Salvador Rocher also received the award for the show Between Us, from a Moroccan company. Rocher, who was on his honeymoon, sent a message of gratitude for this recognition which enriches, motivates, and is deeply appreciated to continue despite uncertainty and instability.
Another prize went to Luis Crespo for the scene. Publica, a three-award winner, is an IVC production created and directed by dancer and choreographer Gustavo Ramirez Sansano (San Fulgencio), with Titoyaya as company director. Crespo had previously won this award in 2020 for Live Death, From AnotherDance.
“I started theater twenty years ago,” said the winner. “I won this kind of prize with Gustavo, and now I’ve won it again with him,” but he added, “we do not pursue prizes as the main goal.”
The best musical composition went to Alicante’s Rachel Molano for Music Band, a street dance show created and directed by Asun Noales and Lucas Escobedo of the Alicante company OtraDanza. “I can’t fully express what this award means to me,” he said, describing rock as music with powerful, expressive words to convey much in a few chords.
Alicante’s dance aims to win eight awards at Valencia Performing Arts
The role of ceremonial hosts was undertaken by actresses and singers Victoria Mínguez, Marta Chiner, and Gloria Sirvent from Alicante, assisted by the magician Hugo Aracil. They guided the proceedings as a musical about Alicante took shape, reinterpreting traditional songs from the province. Luis Ivars and Javier de Juan contributed with contemporary sounds.
Their contributions varied alongside the prize announcements. Across eighteen categories a total of fifty-four nominations were registered, with three nominations per category and twenty-eight different shows. The ceremony paused briefly when an environmental group entered the stage with banners urging action on climate change, prompting several audience members to sit and listen.
The night’s leading figures were the dance pieces: Longing received three awards; Y La Teua Mà en la Meua earned two; Burstner’s Club and DelsAltres each captured two, including best circus show and best performer, among others.
The company’s Floating Bridge won both best theatrical performance and best lighting, awarded to Mark Gonzalo.
A musical about Alicante as the guiding thread for the Valencia Performing Arts Awards
Company Maduixa and their production I Will Migrate earned the Music Band prize for best street show. CuckooBambalina Teatro Practicable won the best show for girls and boys.
The award for best stage direction went to Santiago Sanchez for the game La Teua Mà en la Meua, a production by L’Om Imprebis. Rodolf Sirera was recognized for best version or adaptation as well.
Silvia Valero received the best actress award for her role in Once a House. Alfred Picó won best actor for his part in Els Villalonga.
The best original text went to Cucs, authored by Paula Llorens, with Pascual Peris winning best wardrobe for Kabul.
Alongside these prizes, the Generalitat’s Ministry of Culture honored Carmen Giménez Morte, a choreographer, researcher, and dance educator, with the Culture Ministry’s Honor Award, presented in a ceremony with regional cultural officials present.