Choreographer for Holland Dance Festival 2026 - Good [old] Times

I'm very happy to be one of the choreographers for the Good [old] Times production by Holland Dance festival 2026.

Dance is for everyone. That’s why, during this anniversary edition, we proudly present Good [old] Times once again – our biennial production featuring dancers aged 55 and older. This sixth edition has a special twist: not one, but two choreographers have been invited to create new work. In this sparkling double bill, Kiran Bonnema and Laisvie Ochoa each showcase their own ensemble of dancers, with personal stories and expressive individuality at the heart of both pieces.

We, AliveIn We, Alive, choreographed by Laisvie Ochoa, the focus is on inner strength and collective energy. What is alive within you? From this question unfolds a poetic journey, where individual and shared experiences merge into a choreography of connection and presence. Inspired by the chorus of classical Greek theatre, Ochoa portrays the collective as a living body – a body that supports, amplifies, and contrasts the voices of its members, celebrating the vitality that emerges when we move together.

Feels Good to be GoldFeels Good to be Gold, by Kiran Bonnema, is an ode to life and the richness of the experiences the dancers carry. With humor, lightness, and poignancy, they celebrate the beauty of growing older – the memories, the relationships, the dreams. Above all, the work is about the present: who they are today and how the body, in all its forms, never stops expressing itself. Feels Good to be Gold reminds us that the spirit never stops dancing.

Be moved by the power, vitality, and authenticity of these dancers. Good [old] Times – Double Bill is an emotional and celebratory ode to life itself – a performance where time loses its meaning, generations meet in movement, and aging becomes a celebration of strength, humor, and humanity.

PERFORMANCES

Sat 7 February 2026 19:00 Korzo Studio, Den Haag

Sun 8 February 2026 15:00 Korzo Studio, Den Haag

Fri 13 February 2026 19:00 Korzo Studio, Den Haag

Sat 14 February 2026 19:00 Korzo Studio, Den Haag

TICKETS

CREATION PROCESS

Follow the documentation of the creation process here:

CREATION PROCESS

2025

Workshops

Are you 55 or older, love dancing, and excited about the idea of working together with a group and a professional choreographer to create a performance? Holland Dance Festival and choreographers Kiran Bonnema and Laisvie Ochoa are looking for energetic dancers aged 55 and above who have a passion for the stage. This biennial production is specially designed for older dancers, offering them the chance to collaborate with a professional choreographer to bring a performance to life. Through auditions on Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14, two groups of dancers will be selected, each working with one of the choreographers. Together, they will develop a production that will surprise and inspire the audience — a unique experience for both dancers and spectators.

Auditions can be stressful, which is why we organise classes with both choreographers. During these workshops you will get to know their working methods, their vision and their energy:

Sunday 29 June 2025 – 11:00 to12:30 – Laisvie Ochoa (FULL)

Sunday 29 June 2025 – 11:00 to12:30 – Laisvie Ochoa

Auditions

Everyone aged 55 and older is warmly invited to apply for the audition(s) of this Good [old] Times festival production. Register via ‘dates & tickets’ for one or more auditions (Kiran Bonnema, Laisvie Ochoa, or both). After registering, you will receive a link to the application form by email. Your registration is only official once this form has been completed.

On Saturday 13 and/or Sunday 14 September, you are expected to attend your chosen audition slot (11:00–12:30 or 13:00–14:30) at Korzo, The Hague. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. No preparation is needed for the audition; dance experience is not required, but a love of dancing is definitely a plus.

Audition participation is free of charge. If selected for the Good [old] Times participant program, a contribution fee will apply.

After the auditionThe rehearsal period begins on Saturday, November 1. Rehearsals will then take place weekly on Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (except during the Christmas holidays). The rehearsal dates are:

November 1, 8, 15 (only Kiran Bonnema), 22, 23 (only Laisvie Ochoa), 29December 6, 13, 20January 10, 17, 24, 31

In addition to these dates, please also note the following important moments:

• Tech days: Thursday, February 5 & Friday, February 6

• Performance days: Saturday, February 7 & Sunday, February 8, and Thursday, February 12 & Friday, February 13

To participate in the production, it is important that you are available on all the above-mentioned dates, although attendance is not always mandatory. The premiere of this new Good [old] Times production will take place during the Holland Dance Festival 2026 at Korzo, The Hague.

About choreographer Laisvie Ochoa

Laisvie Andrea Ochoa is a Colombian-Lithuanian choreographer with expertise in inclusive dance. She is also a video artist and founder of ConCuerpos, Colombia’s first inclusive dance company, which is now also active in the Netherlands. Laisvie studied Psychology and Multimedia Creation in Colombia and holds a Master’s degree in Choreography (COMMA) and completed the Embodied Life Art Program (ELAP) in the Netherlands. Her work—created in Colombia, Argentina, and the Netherlands—combines live video projection with political and human themes. Currently, she explores the aesthetics of accessibility, integrating artistic elements such as subtitles, audio description, and sign language into her choreography.

Laisvie encourages every dancer to connect with their passions through the joy of movement. This leads to personal short solos that engage in dialogue with the group. Inspired by the structure of traditional Greek theater, she works on a contemporary version in which the group supports, comments on, or contrasts the individual expressions. The result is a dynamic composition with shifting forms, rhythms, and structures.

For any questions or further information, please contact Yvonne@holland-dance.com

All the info