Jacob Gómez at the Spanish Cultural Center

Spanish choreographer and dancer Jacob Gómez Ruiz creates a new dance composition inspired by the Meadows Museum collection, in collaboration with students from SMU University and artist Alvon Reed.

In this work, Gómez positions himself both inside and outside the creation: observing, directing, and shaping it from the choreographer’s gaze, while simultaneously embodying it from within as a performer. What begins as a group choreography transforms into an expanded solo, where the presence of others lingers as echoes, gestures, and memories moving through the creator’s body.

From the museum’s paintings, figures emerge, breathing life into untold stories-fragments of existence revealed through movement. Between tradition and innovation, Spanish music resounds, deeply rooted yet fiercely alive, while gestures fracture and recombine, charged with emotion and truth.

Whispers, gazes, and silences draw a bridge toward the audience, forming a space of communion where memory and hope intertwine. And then, the bells toll - not as an ending, but as an awakening.

Jacob Gómez Ruiz lives and works in Barcelona, where he develops his artistic practice. He began his studies in Contemporary Dance at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Valencia. In 2013, he graduated from the Institut del Teatre in Barcelona, specializing in Contemporary Dance. That same year, he received a scholarship as an apprentice at Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, under the direction of Gustavo Ramirez. He later joined the Jove Compañía IT Dansa, directed by Catherine Allard. In 2015, he became part of Theater Pforzheim (Germany), under the direction of Gwido Markowitz. Between 2016 and 2018, he worked at Theater Bielefeld (Germany) as a soloist dancer. During this period, he also created his first two choreographies with non-professional performers.

In 2019, he was selected as a finalist for the Institut del Teatre Awards, where he presented his first piece on the Catalan stage, receiving the Audience Award. Since then, he has continued presenting this work at various national and international festivals and competitions, receiving awards and recognition as a choreographer. In December 2020, he received the award for Best Male Dancer of Catalonia at the Butaca Awards. In 2021, he obtained a co-production from the Tanz Bolzano International Festival and premiered his piece Meohadim, with a duration of 52 minutes. In October 2023, Meohadim received the award for Best Dance Piece at the IVC.

Jacob Gómez has created choreographies for multiple companies, institutions, and festivals, including Theater Bielefeld (Germany), Festival Quinzena Dança Almada (Portugal), Valencian Dancing Forward, 180 Danza, Institut del Teatre de Barcelona, Conservatorio Oriol Martorell, EPDCYL Burgos, COBOSMIKA (Barcelona), ADDA, Iwanson Schule, Meow University (Washington), among others. His works Meohadim and RARA AVIS, premiered at the Circuito Bucles Festival in Valencia, stand out, having received various awards and recognitions. He is currently on tour with more than 16 performances of his work Dúo Quema. A candidate for the 2025 MAX Awards for Best Male Performer, Jacob is also pursuing a Higher Degree in Pedagogy at the Conservatorio María de Ávila in Madrid.

Important Information

• A reservation on Eventbrite is mandatory, printed tickets are not required.
• Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Doors open 20 minutes before posted showtime.
• Ticket holders will have access to the event while space is available. A reservation does not guarantee admission.
• No Late Seating, ticket holders may not be allowed to enter 15 minutes after posted showtime.
• Right of admission reserved.
• If you need special assistance, please contact us at [email protected].

How to get there:

The best way to arrive is by public transportation. The closest Metro station is Columbia Heights (Green line). Limited metered and two-hour zoned parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods. Public parking garage is available at DC USA Shopping Mall (Columbia Heights Metro Station).

Subscribe to our Newsletter to never miss an event by SPAIN arts & culture in Washington DC.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher SPAIN arts & culture