In March 2023, Israel Galván was invited to participate in the dance cycle for babies and infants, Bailas, Baby? at the Espacio Abierto Quinta de los Molinos, a venue where renowned dance professionals created works for an unusual and demanding audience. Following this experience, Galván conceived a new site-specific show for infants aged 6 to 18 months.  

On stage are seven small chairs, each displaying a different type of footwear such as Wellington boots, Japanese shoes, football boots, flippers, among others. His intention is that the babies, upon discovering these elements on stage and seeing him change from one shoe to another, will actively participate, playing and creating sounds alongside him. “I was once a child dancer, and here I’m allowed to be that again”, he reflects.

For about 40 minutes, the artist uses noises, sensations, and seven pairs of shoes to generate a sonorous children’s playground. To facilitate the connection with his young audience, Galván incorporates recognisable elements such as sand, a rake, headbands, and ears. “What I love is creating a sonorous children’s playground so that at the end of the show, the kids can get up onto the stage, put the shoes on, make some noise, play and try out the floor”, he explains.

From the outset, Galván was adamant that he wasn’t going to dance any differently just because the audience members were so small; he wasn’t going to stop being himself on stage. “In a situation like this, those babies become your teachers - they force you to be more concentrated and more demanding about what you do”, he says. He compares this to his own childhood, when he danced for his teachers - an experience that put his body and mind on alert. The piece is designed for an adult audience and he would not categorise it as a children’s show. Furthermore, he commented that the parents who attended the cycle at the Espacio Abierto were just as surprised by and immersed in the piece as the babies were. 
 

This show is not included in the ‘Choose 5’ and ‘Choose 10’ season tickets.