Jānis Marcinkevičs
1964
Choreographer
Born 20 May 1964, in Tīnūži Parish, Ogre District. Took his first dance steps in Year 1 with A. Gribule’s children’s dance group at the Society for the Blind. Later, extended his practical experience with the Vija folk-dance ensemble (1979–1985), led by former ballet dancer Pauls Tonigs. In parallel, studied at the Rīga Cultural Workers’ Technical School (1983–1986), qualifying in club and dance-group management. Managed the Rāzna club in Rēzekne District.
Since 1994, Marcinkevičs has been the artistic director of the Liesma (Flame) dance and music club’s Dzirkstelīte (Tiny Spark) children’s folk-dance ensemble. In 1997, he founded and directs the Oglīte (Charcoal) middle-generation dance group. Both groups have been successful at song and dance celebrations, in city and national competitions, reviews and festivals. New dances and dance performances are regularly staged, both groups also perform at concerts and festivals abroad.
Author of many new works, which have been awarded prizes in competitions and danced at dance celebrations and grand dance concerts. Marcinkevičs’ best-known dances are: Āzīša kadrilis sudmalās (Billy Goat’s Quadrille at the Mill), Tinu, tinu kamoliņu (I Wound my Skein), Gribam zināt (We Want to Know), Ļipa kust (Bobtail Melting), Pilna istaba (Full Room) and the choreographic productions Miki peles pasakas (Mickey Mouse Tales) and Kaķu spēles (Cat Games).
At the XIVth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Baltimore, USA, (2017), the choreographer triumphed in the new-dance competition, winning the highest point score and first prize with the dance Sav’ māsiņas dancot vedu (I Took my Sisters Dancing), while his Rotaļdeju svīta ar bērniem (Dancing-game Suite with Children) was recognised as the best dance in the category Dances with unlimited number of couples.
Marcinkevičs gained his first experience in choreographing dance celebrations as assistant to Chief choreographer Imants Magone. At the Rīga-800 Festival he is chief choreographer for his own three dances – Trīs zirnīši vezumā (Three Peas in my Load), Es bij’ puika (I Was a Lad) and Jedritvai polka.
A Chief choreographer at the 14th Dance Celebration, at the Rīga-800 Festival and for Balvi District dance groups (1990–1993).
