CLOUD/Danslab

CLOUD/Danslab is a self-organised platform for movement and performance research based in The Hague since October 2011. It grew out of the former Danslab initiative, which began in 2011 with support from the City of The Hague, VSB Fonds, SNS REAAL Fonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds and Fonds 1818. The studio occupies a luminous 100 m² space plus a 30 m² kitchen and office in the DCR complex at De Constant Rebecqueplein 20-B, and is run entirely by volunteers with no fixed subsidy or commercial agenda.

CLOUD hosts a rotating programme of weekly movement classes including Bellydance / Raqs Sharqi (Sarah Safi Harb), Body Listening (Katarina van den Wouwer), Acroyoga (Christopher & Mila), Dansdrift, Flow movement (Jérôme Meyer), Happy Movement (Isabelle Chaffaud), Impro Dance The Hague, and Move Dance Flow (Esther Arends). Classes are open to anyone—dancers, artists, musicians, and curious neighbours alike. Alongside classes, CLOUD facilitates artist residencies, public research presentations, workshops, expert meetings, community projects, and performances. Artists from around the world work here before producing new work, sharing their creative process through open sessions that contribute to both their individual development and public education.

The founding team includes choreographer and artistic leader Jérôme Meyer, who co-founded Luca Foundation (Maakhaven) in 2003 and initiated the No Culture-No Future movement in 2011; Isabelle Chaffaud, who trained at the Conservatoire de Tours and Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon and danced with the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, Batsheva Dance Company and Nederlands Dans Theater I; and other core members including Damani Leidsman (trained in contemporary and African-based dance), Evelyn Hutchings (Italian/British dancer and movement educator), and Mar Fu Qi (dancer, photographer and performance artist). The team is deliberately open: around 10 people currently run CLOUD, and the organisation welcomes collaborators, residents, class organisers and volunteers.

The studio is genuinely non-hierarchical. CLOUD describes itself as a horizontal, non-profit foundation functioning as a DIY space for any creative discipline. It has no fixed agenda and learns through reflection and dialogue with the public. Residency fees are €64.25 per week or €96.40 for two weeks (exclusive of VAT). Anyone can propose a residency, workshop or class by emailing the studio at least three months in advance. The space is available for rental on a friendly-price basis to artists and groups who wish to organise their own sessions or events.

Drop into a weekly class to experience the space and community, or attend a research presentation or workshop. Classes welcome complete beginners and anyone curious about movement. Check the calendar for the current schedule, which changes regularly. The studio is luminous, open, and welcoming to people from any background.

The teaching team includes Sarah Safi Harb (Bellydance / Raqs Sharqi), Katarina van den Wouwer (Body Listening), Christopher & Mila (Acroyoga), Jérôme Meyer (Flow movement), Isabelle Chaffaud (Happy Movement), and Esther Arends (Move Dance Flow). Meyer is a choreographer and co-founder; Chaffaud trained at top French conservatoires and performed with major European dance companies; others bring contemporary, African-based, and improvisation expertise. Classes are also led by other residents and visiting artists as part of the residency programme.

Classes are explicitly open to anyone curious, including complete beginners; dance students, visual artists, musicians, neighbours and people of all backgrounds are welcome.