Contemporary dance festival.

27 June-8 July 2006. The 16th edition of the Summer Festival of Contemporary Dance Julidans opens with French choreographer Maguy Marin presenting her Beckett-inspired slice-of-life performance Umwelt at the Stadsschouwburg on 27 June. Festival highlights include La pudeur des icebergs by French Canadian choreographer Daniel Lveill (28-29 June), Strawberry cream and gunpowder by Israeli group Yasmeen Godder and the Bloody Bench Players (1-2 July) and Hell by the Italo-Dutch company Emio GrecoPC (3-4 July). The fringe programme Freshdance presents the work of young choreographers from all over Europe at the Melkweg 27-30 June. Julidans also offers a number of free events including Chinese choreographer Teck Voon Ngs Progressive encounters featuring four dance solos performed on the streets of Amsterdams Chinatown 20.30-22.00 on 4 and 5 July. In a Julidans exclusive, three acclaimed African dance troupes from Senegal, Mozambique and Congo Brazzaville perform Danse LAfrique Danse at the Bellevue Theatre on 6 and 7 July. The parallel film festival Cinedans presents 40 dance films with forums, debates and award ceremonies at De Balie on Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 30 June-4 July. For times, events and prices see the website in Dutch and English.