Own Works
TRACKS
2020
Tap Dance short film project created and directed by choreographer Daniel Luka and filmmaker Niklas van Bonn. The 20 women in „TRACKS“ are searching for paths and directions, impulses and crossings. They deal with changes, confusion, goals, courage, isolation and community. In a ritualized and courageous way, they are finding their paths on different tracks, through hope and strength.
Idea & concept: Daniel Luka & Niklas van Bonn
Choreography: Daniel Luka
Dance: T.A.P. - The Augmented Project
Music: Daniel Luka - „Tracks“, Andries De Haan - „Earthquake“, M.B. Gordy - „Nightmares“, Nicolas Jaar - „Colomb“ & René Aubry - „Déferlante“
Duration: approx. 10 minute
In cooperation among Luka Tap Productions©, Tanzhaus NRW, Düsseldorfer Institut für Musik und Medien, Hochschule Düsseldorf and Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord/Duisburg Kontor Hallenmanagement GmbH. With the friendly assistance of Fox Audio and Skyline Tonfabrik Germany.
ALL-ONE
2021
Supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and tanzhaus nrw in Düsseldorf.
With special thanks to the many people who have bravely opened up to this idea and who have made it possible to create a unique archive of movements by sharing their life stories and communicating their movements.
TakeCareResidenzen is a funding program of the Bündnis internationaler Produktionshäuser e.V. within the framework of the Restart Culture program TakeThat supported by the Fonds Darstellende Künste e.V. and funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
With his research "ALL-ONE" Daniel Luka explores the feeling of loneliness and in particular investigates the difference between being lonely and being alone. Understanding loneliness as an inner, mental state that can also exist apart from physical isolation, as well as the question of how it can be translated into movements, form the basis for this work.
A project under the artistic direction of Daniel Luka.
Documentary film: conceived and directed by Niklas van Bonn
Idea & concept: Daniel Luka
Music: Grandbrothers - „Ezra Was Right“, PNFA - „Sylmar“
Duration: approx. 3 minutes
THE SUPERSONIC TAP CONCERT
Since 2019
Live music performance consisting of Tap dancer Daniel Luka and a variety of different renowned musicians. Considering Tap as a musical instrument, the concept of this concert is not to be compared to an average dance performance but to a band where the Tap dancer is equally treated as a percussive instrumentalist.
Deeply rooted in the tradition of Jazz, the up to one hour long „Supersonic Tap Concert“ brings a freshness, which can only be obtained by improvisation, communication and a deep musical connection between the Tap dancer and the featured musicians, always being on the brink of the unknown and being prepared for the leap.
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka
Musicians: Various
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
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RESONANCE
Since 2018
The dancer's foot lifts, falls to the ground. The resulting sound continues in waves of light as if a stone had fallen into the water. Daniel Luka, known for his cross-border choreography, guarantees the steps and their sound a much longer afterlife than usual: Together with the collective Xenorama, a overall composition is created that adds new layers to the movements and sounds of the three dancers in real time.
Concept: Daniel Luka, Xenorama
Choreography: Daniel Luka
Dance, improvisation: Ana Gudiño Aguilar, Daniel Luka, Nikolai Kemeny
Music: Roman Babik, Tim Georg Heinze
Projection Mapping, light desing, visuals: Marcel Bückner, Lorenz Potthast, Moritz Janis Richartz
Composition, arrangement: Roman Babik, Daniel Luka, Bill Evans
Sound design: Tim Georg Heinze
Stage design: Moritz Janis Richartz
Dramaturgic advice: Sarah Petronio, Heinz Voss
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Supported by Kulturamt der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf and the EU project The People's Smart Sculpture with means of the program Creative Europe of the European Union. Further supported by Neumann&Müller and Hochschule Düsseldorf.
360° OF TAP
2017
Audio experimental 360 ° video and sound project for three tap dancers. Make sure that you wear your headphones for the optimal 360° sound experience!
Dance: Ana Gudiño Aguilar, Nikolai Kemeny, Daniel Luka
Video: Philip Zimmermann
Duration: approx. 3 minutes
In cooperation with tanzhaus nrw and MOCCA – Motion Capturing Creative Area
3 & A FLOOR
2017
Daniel Luka's view on the connection between tap dance and music and his understanding of Tap Dance as a full-fledged instrument becomes clear on his debut album "3 & a Floor", which he co-produced with award-winning pianist Roman Babik and released in April 2017.
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka, Sarah Petronio
Musicians: Roman Babik (piano & compositions) Daniel Luka (tap) Dimitrij Markitantov (saxophone & clarinet) and Special Guest Sarah Petronio (tap) feat. Martin Gjakonovski (bass).
Duration: approx. 55 minutes
Since 2015
THE TAPENGERS
Daniel Luka's "Tapengers" is a young crew of tap dancers formed to promote the art of Tap dance and Jazz music. Whether it is on the big stage or in a small local jazz club, the Tapenger’s mission is always to share their love for the art of Tap Dance and live music.
Dance and improvisation: Ana Gudiño Aguilar, Judith Commandeur, Nikolai Kemeny, Daniel Luka
Musicians: Various
Duration: approx. 5-120 minutes
TAP JAM DÜSSELDORF
Since 2014
Since the spring of 2014, the „Tap Jam Düsseldorf“ is inviting Tap dancers, Tap lovers and music fans from near and far to its home location, the Jazzschmiede in Dusseldorf, to jam together with live musicians and other tap dancers to make music and exchange. Whether to dance or watch, everyone is invited to join in the Tap Jam Dusseldorf which takes place several times a year!
Dance and improvisation: Tap lovers
Musicians: Various
Duration: approx. 120-180 minutes
2014
TAP A TUNE
With "Tap A Tune" Daniel Luka creates a full evening concert for tap dance and live music. Together with the award-winning jazz musicians Roman Babik, Bodek Janke and Shanai the internationally-positioned ensemble invites to an evening in a club atmosphere - and emphasizes the musical aspect of tap dancing, beyond a mere dance show. The conclusion: a band, a piece of music, that inspires.
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka, Hillary-Marie Michael, Pia Neises, Renée-Marie Turner
Musicians: Bodek Janke, Roman Babik, Shanai
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
60 BPM
2012
In "60 bpm“, tap dancers Pia Neises and Daniel Luka devote themselves to the secret of the unit of time. They play with phenomena of acceleration and deceleration, with moments of pausing or the everyday experience of waiting and ask about the influence that time has on our lives. The duet will be accompanied live by the musicians Bodek Janke and Jörg Brinkmann.
Dance and improvisation: Pia Neises, Daniel Luka
Musicians: Bodek Janke, Jörg Brinkmann
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Co-produced by tanzhaus nrw.
FEEL THE TAP
2007, 2008, 2009 & 2011
Daniel Luka's fusion show "Feel The Tap" premiered in 2007, a full-length concept in which he combined Tap Dance with percussion, jazz, hip hop, ballet, dance theater and folklore artists. It was followed by three other parts, which were awarded by the press as "a unique combination of high-caliber artists" and "innovative, rousing newness that puts the American tap dance in a whole new light."
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka, Eva Klosowski, Lionel Altevogt, Natascha Erkelenz, Volteggiare, Nadine Eversberg, Pia Neises, Thorsten Willer, Kristopher Zech, Magdalena Sojka, Hoofer’s Revenge, Mira Schuster, Netali Kidane, Tap Crew, Jana Weikamp, Rosa Jesser, Ates and many more.
Musicians: Various (Without musicians, soloists, trios, quartets, big bands, vocals, DJ)
Duration: approx. 90-120 minutes
PULL IT BACK
Since 2007
Daniel Luka's solo program "Pull It Back!" features a repertoire that has proven itself at numerous festivals, balls, corporate and TV events, city festivals, concerts and other events. Since 2007, he has been touring internationally with his content-related and musically flexible solo performance, which guarantees the audience a rhythmically dynamic show-act in constantly changing constellations.
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka (and guests)
Musicians: Various (Without musicians, soloists, trios, quartets, big bands, vocals, DJ)
Duration: approx. 20-45 minutes
DOWN TO
THE GROUND
2007
This outdoor improvisation by Daniel Luka was born out of a desire to question the given circumstances, possibilities and concepts of various outdoor venues, to use them in many different ways and to let the audience participate in a sound-performance that will never be repeated. The tap dancer gets joined by various musicians who freely improvise to accompany his journey of discovery.
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka
Musicians: Various
Duration: approx. 60-120 minutes
DIFFERENT SOUND
2006-2007
A free improvised concert, distinguished by its spontaneous experimental joy. Searching for new sounds, the tap dancer and the musicians loose themselves over and over again in new soundscapes. A unique free-jazz-rhythm-composition develops between drums, percussion, gongs, saxophone and flutes, different kinds of shoes and a variety of dance floors.
Dance and improvisation: Daniel Luka
Musicians: Various
Duration: approx. 45 minutes