Xián Martínez and Black Leaves Dance Company at the Spanish Cultural Center

Spanish dancer Xián Martínez shares the results of his artistic collaboration with Black Leaves Dance Company in a unique performance at the Spanish Cultural Center.

This performance will precede Xián’s residency at this year’s edition of the American Dance Festival, organized in collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.

Xián Martínez

Xián Martínez Miguel is a Galician-born choreographer and dancer. He trained at the Mariemma Royal Professional Conservatory of Contemporary Dance in Madrid and specialized in Choreography and Performance at the María de Ávila Superior Conservatory of Dance. He has received training from notable figures including Johan Inger, Guillermo Weickert, Daniel Abreu, and Asun Noales.

From 2019 to 2021, he was a member of the Dantzaz dance company, touring Spain, France, and Germany with creators like Itzik Galili, Thierry Malandain, Martin Harriague, Vita Osjnik, and Proyecto Larrua. As a freelancer, he has worked with the Lille Opera, Staats Oper Under Linden Berlin, and other Spanish productions under directors like Marta Pazos.

Since 2019, Martínez has co-directed the iXa company with Mariona Jaume. Together, they have created works like Tacto, Pioneras, Nik·Eu, Ollos Cara Adentro, and Yellow Lemon.

He has been a resident at various places including the National Dance Company, the DNA Dance Festival, Dantzagunea Choreographic Center, A casa Vella, and L’Estruch Fabrica de Creació. He has also created works like Nun Zira for the AB company, Xeración Z for the Lugo Professional Conservatory, and Yellow Lemon for the École de la Danse Contemporaine de Montreal. Xián Martínez has worked on projects such as Pioneras, a piece honoring pioneering women in the fight for equality, and Non zira, which explores the essence of being human.

Black Leaves Dance Company

Black Leaves Dance Company is an all-Black, all-male, queer-inclusive modern ballet company rooted in Western dance technique, fused with African traditions. Black Leaves specializes in contemporary ballet, highlighting the stories and perspectives of Black men in America.

Their aim is to explore themes related to identity and self-actualization, approaching questions of masculinity, sexuality, religion, and race.