Three choreographers bring passion to Whim W’Him’s ‘Spring ‘24’

The trio includes Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Ihsan Rustem, and Olivier Wevers.

Three globally acclaimed choreographers will present new work at “Spring ‘24,” an upcoming performance by Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The trio of choreographers includes Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Ihsan Rustem, and the company’s own founder and artistic director, Olivier Wevers.

Making his Seattle premiere, Ramírez Sansano is one of Spain’s most internationally acclaimed artists, both as a choreographer and artistic director. He was the artistic director of Luna Negra Dance Theater from 2009 until 2013, and now combines his work as a freelance choreographer with Proyecto Titoyaya, the Spanish dance company he founded in 2006 with Veronica Garcia Moscardo.

Returning for his fourth creation with Whim W’Him, Switzerland-based Rustem is a Whim W’Him favorite and is the artistic director of the Swiss dance company Cie. La Ronde, founded in 2020, with choreographer Cathy Marston, and the resident choreographer for the NW Dance Project, in Portland, where he has created 12 works to date.

Spring ‘24 includes yet another new creation from Olivier Wevers, who has now led Whim W’Him for 14 years.

While still dancing with Pacific Northwest Ballet and developing his own choreographic approach, Wevers became convinced that only by starting his own company could he create the works he envisioned “in an artist-centered sanctuary where kindness, empathy, and collaboration are built into the very DNA.”

The result is Whim W’Him, with its emphasis on new works; transparent and candid leadership; ethical practices and equitable pay; commitment to diversity and social justice; and dedication to uncovering and nurturing new voices.

Get tickets, which are free for ages 18 and younger, at vashoncenterforthearts.org. Find out more about the dance company at whimwhim.org.