Ballet Goyeska is an Amsterdam-based dance company founded by Cuban choreographer and interdisciplinary artist Henry Rodríguez. The company creates interdisciplinary performance works in which ballet enters into dialogue with Escuela Bolera, Afro-diasporic embodied knowledge, ritual, cultural memory and contemporary movement.
What does “Goyeska” mean?
The name Goyeska comes from goyesca or danza goyesca, an expression used to refer to the escuela bolera dance style, while evoking the artistic universe and cultural imagery associated with Spanish painter Francisco de Goya. For Ballet Goyeska, it represents a point of departure rather than a reconstruction of the past—a space where beauty, contradiction, memory, darkness, transformation and imagination can coexist.
Where is Ballet Goyeska based?
Ballet Goyeska is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, while maintaining an international and intercultural artistic outlook.
What is Surrealist Majismo?
Surrealist Majismo is the choreographic vision developed by Henry Rodríguez for Ballet Goyeska. It reimagines elements of Spanish majismo through contemporary choreography, surreal imagery and Afro-diasporic embodied knowledge, creating a movement language where different histories and cultural memories can encounter and transform one another.
Is Ballet Goyeska a professional organisation?
Yes. Ballet Goyeska was founded as an artistic initiative in 2022 and operates through Stichting Ballet Goyeska since july 2026, established in Amsterdam to support the professional development, production and presentation of the company's artistic activities.
Where can I see Ballet Goyeska perform?
Upcoming performances, premieres, festivals and special events are announced through our website and social-media channels. Visit our Performances / CALENDAR page for the latest information.
Does Ballet Goyeska offer classes and workshops?
Yes. Ballet Goyeska develops classes, workshops and movement experiences connected to its choreographic research. Activities may include ballet, improvisation, contemporary movement, choreographic exploration and the movement methodology GOYESKA/ PRINCIPAL 6 developed through Ballet Goyeska's artistic practice. VISIT OUR ACADEMIA PAGE.
Do I need professional dance experience to participate?
It depends on the activity. Some classes and workshops are designed for professional or pre-professional dancers, while others may be open to participants with different levels of movement experience.
The required level will always be indicated in the description of each activity.
Can theatres, festivals or organisations book Ballet Goyeska?
Yes. Ballet Goyeska welcomes enquiries from theatres, festivals, cultural institutions and programmers interested in presenting our performances, workshops or artistic projects.
Please contact us with information about your organisation, venue, proposed dates and the nature of your enquiry.
Does Ballet Goyeska work with other artists?
Yes. Collaboration is central to our practice. Ballet Goyeska works across disciplines with dancers, composers, musicians, designers, photographers, filmmakers, dramaturgs, visual artists, technicians and other creative professionals.
How can I support Ballet Goyeska?
There are many ways to support our work: attend a performance, participate in a workshop, follow and share our projects, collaborate with us, become a partner, or make a financial contribution.
Every form of support helps Ballet Goyeska continue creating new work, supporting artists, developing research and connecting with audiences.
Does Ballet Goyeska work with schools and communities?
Yes. Alongside performance creation, Ballet Goyeska is interested in connecting artistic practice with education, cultural heritage and community engagement.
We welcome opportunities to develop workshops, talks, movement laboratories and participatory projects with schools, academies, cultural organisations and communities in Amsterdam and beyond.
Can companies and organisations partner with Ballet Goyeska?
Yes. We welcome partnerships with cultural institutions, foundations, businesses, educational organisations and other partners whose values and interests connect meaningfully with our artistic mission.
Partnerships can support artistic creation, education, community engagement, research and the sustainable development of Ballet Goyeska.
Can I collaborate with Ballet Goyeska?
We welcome relevant artistic and interdisciplinary proposals. Artists, cultural organisations, educational institutions, researchers and creative professionals interested in our work can contact us through our Contact page.
While we cannot guarantee that every proposal will lead to a collaboration, we are always interested in meaningful encounters and exchanges.
How does Ballet Goyeska approach cultural heritage?
Ballet Goyeska treats heritage as something living rather than fixed. Historical and cultural references are researched, questioned and transformed through contemporary artistic practice.
Our work explores how memory, migration, identity and embodied knowledge can move between generations, cultures and artistic traditions.
How can I stay informed?
Follow Ballet Goyeska through our website and social-media channels for announcements about performances, workshops, new creations, collaborations and opportunities.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter, where available.
How can I contact Ballet Goyeska?
For general enquiries, collaborations, bookings, press, partnerships or support, please use the Contactsection of our website.
