tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28471229781123127282024-02-19T04:01:50.021+00:00SSCo's BlogSonia Sabri CompanySSCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13108742118872919290noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-5595586969369590222023-04-03T09:27:00.002+01:002023-04-28T17:32:03.186+01:00Job Vacancies<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Job Vacancies at Sonia Sabri Company</b></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sonia Sabri Company is entering an exciting phase and looking for exceptional talents to join the team. See job opportunities below:<br /></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Indian music teacher and performing artist</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Early carrier Indian classical dance artist</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Digital communication personnel</span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For details & application pack please contact info@ssco.org.uk</span></span></p>SSCohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13108742118872919290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-11082915517974877652022-11-18T11:39:00.005+00:002022-11-18T11:39:59.067+00:00 ‘Sharing The Light’ - Making my professional debut by Ella Stanton-Warren<p><br /></p><div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;">‘Sharing The Light’ was my first professional dance job and one that
would bring me back to<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0666667px;"> </span>Birmingham, a
city which holds many established dance memories. Originally from Ludlow in<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>Shropshire, Birmingham was the place that
ignited my passion for dance and the possibility to<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>pursue it as a career. When training on the CAT scheme I was
introduced to many different<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>dance<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>forms<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>ways<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>creating<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>dance,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>including<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>collaborating<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>dancers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>training<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Kathak<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>and Bharatnatyam, which at the time built
my initial awareness of the breadth of dance. It would<span style="letter-spacing: -2.95pt;"> </span>be five years on from that initial training, now as a graduate
dancer, that I would step back into<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>studio<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>Sonia<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>choreographer<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>director.</p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;">I
walked into the Hippodrome building for our first company rehearsal and if I
was being<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>completely<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>honest,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>nervous<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>apprehensive<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>equally<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>excited<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>ready<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>jump<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>into<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>the
creative space. We spent the first day establishing what we needed to know
about the<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>project and planning
initial ideas for the schools and communities' choreography. By the end of the day, I knew that I would be
collaborating with some very experienced people and therefore<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>wanted<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>much<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>‘sponge’<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>possible<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>throughout<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>process.</p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRr99pjidk-z-FoMHX00KFGFlhIy21lCQ8nSW-XJ6ERscfszF3bu1HciXeVTVzZKAwSO8BJ9EG2p1kbQPrFOfxHxiZmaLTmoo9WIo8lTYAc0uVBCf5dTLr_MIMrOUro6Zdwr4SJLJmJiOS_1SXw5U59FPLLtyNIY35kKl8Zkx_Qa1-dST9NVc-pVgc/s2048/IMG_6316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRr99pjidk-z-FoMHX00KFGFlhIy21lCQ8nSW-XJ6ERscfszF3bu1HciXeVTVzZKAwSO8BJ9EG2p1kbQPrFOfxHxiZmaLTmoo9WIo8lTYAc0uVBCf5dTLr_MIMrOUro6Zdwr4SJLJmJiOS_1SXw5U59FPLLtyNIY35kKl8Zkx_Qa1-dST9NVc-pVgc/s320/IMG_6316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by Ciara Clayton</div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">This project saw myself </span><span lang="EN-US">and the other dancers: Helen, Selene and Aakanksha also delivering<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>workshops in schools and with community
groups. I worked with Helen in the first week at<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">Harborne Academy to create a
section of choreography </span>related to the themes of ‘offering’ and<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">‘receiving’.
Additionally, myself, Helen and Selene all went to Montgomery </span>Primary
School to<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>deliver a workshop with
their Year 4 class, inspired by Kathak gestures for animals where the<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>students<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;">
</span>discovered<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>new<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>ways<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>moving<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>telling<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>story<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>bodies. The<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>beauty<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>working across different
schools and year groups is that no one experience is the same and<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>although we had clear themes and ideas, it
would always be the students that brought the<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span>dance<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>alive<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>interpretation<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>movement.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;">The second half of the week was spent rehearsing and creating the
choreography for the final<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>performance
days. I absolutely embraced learning new ways of moving and collaborating with<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>everyone<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>Sonia<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>always<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>maintained<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>highest<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>creative<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>vision<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>throughout.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>process<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>also<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>came
with the test of being adaptable, as we knew that we would only have the
opportunity to<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>rehearse with the
Dundu Puppet’s on the day of the performance. When it came down to the<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>many logistical changes and practicalities
of performing in public spaces, I felt very grateful for<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>the intensive rehearsal period. Without having the movement
fully embodied, the challenges<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>would
have forced me to make errors. However, we had Sonia talking us through our<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>performance via an ‘in-ear’, which was the
calm guidance I needed amongst the potential chaos<span style="letter-spacing: -2.95pt;"> </span>of crowds and transitioning through The Bullring Shopping
Centre both indoors on the Friday<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>outside<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">
</span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>Saturday.</p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM7-f50uNQQ49CRLkrrTn-npdAsiQQcHkgIkDhsTel_SgMj4Pz5Gwr3pe8jkBcj1fBfKESZkxEBCxKZCBIYyI70h5ZdN7up-WP-Zw8j9NgEbUe5QsmNB68HBV4noIJZvgW1ApqPPPYv4vngknnrYgQa44upCDimB-x3Ob0W3SSMRu_Sm-UfOhWZl-/s2048/IMG_6939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM7-f50uNQQ49CRLkrrTn-npdAsiQQcHkgIkDhsTel_SgMj4Pz5Gwr3pe8jkBcj1fBfKESZkxEBCxKZCBIYyI70h5ZdN7up-WP-Zw8j9NgEbUe5QsmNB68HBV4noIJZvgW1ApqPPPYv4vngknnrYgQa44upCDimB-x3Ob0W3SSMRu_Sm-UfOhWZl-/s320/IMG_6939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by Ciara Clayton</div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .15pt;">I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>can't<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>thank<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>everyone<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>enough<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>who<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>involved<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>project,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Stage<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>Manager<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Rosie,<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>to the Security Team as part of The
Hippodrome, I felt the passion for delivering exceptional<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span>experiences<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>people<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>Birmingham.</p>
</div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial MT",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial MT"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial MT"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 4.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">What<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>exceptional<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>experience<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>was,<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>one<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>undoubtedly<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>stay<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>me<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-1847746465670476962022-11-10T11:56:00.003+00:002022-11-11T10:18:30.804+00:00'Sharing The Light' - Experience by Selene Travaglia<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was around
mid-September when I was flying back from my holidays and as soon as I landed,
I received an email from the company. I was invited to be part of the cast for
a ‘last minute’ project titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sharing
The Light</i>. The project was due to start in a week and the only things I had
clear in my mind was that it would have been a large-scale outdoor production
in collaboration with another company from Germany with a huge puppet. That
meant new project, new performing scenario, new collaborations and colleagues:
it sounded very exciting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the rehearsals
process started, I felt very refreshed: I knew just one of the other dancers
from a previous production, Aakanksha. The other two colleagues were new to me,
and we suddenly established a very nice working collaboration where we were
helping and inspiring each other day by day. There were a lot of laughing
moments which helped to ease the physical fatigue and that made the process
even more exciting.</span></span><div><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> <o:p></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPes_HFcUPUD0RSsDCswuo8Rdk9D5p9xr6PgB393bla6R2jfu7cA2KZ_vG2dOqHr-NMI2y5HqrBVsGghAgZNsh9JUfokZIGqiR5yhrma7YVfBWblU9njUSgkVKowet_vgeTYLcXpEmDGqTurfG8WWd58otIwTiChP9XzrBTZIljy3iLC43GiTQsmqA/s2048/sb1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPes_HFcUPUD0RSsDCswuo8Rdk9D5p9xr6PgB393bla6R2jfu7cA2KZ_vG2dOqHr-NMI2y5HqrBVsGghAgZNsh9JUfokZIGqiR5yhrma7YVfBWblU9njUSgkVKowet_vgeTYLcXpEmDGqTurfG8WWd58otIwTiChP9XzrBTZIljy3iLC43GiTQsmqA/s320/sb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo by Ciara Clayton</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Physically, it was
very tiring. We were dancing a traditional folk south Asian dance style
combined with elements of contemporary dance and everything was very fast and
jumped. Moreover, due to the nature of the show, a large-scale outdoor
performance, our dance needed to be very powerful and most of the time we were
dancing in unison. This required a lot of concentration and maintaining a high
level of energy throughout the piece. We also had to keep reminding ourselves
that in the actual performance we would have dance with shoes, outside on a
normal floor, without any help from the usual dance floor that we all love when
we jump and hop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was challenging to
figure out in my mind the structure of the whole show because we didn’t have a
clear idea of what would have happened on the day, due to the wheatear
forecast, the multiple collaborations with the Dundu company, the musicians,
the community cast and the crowd. We almost met all of these people just on the
day of the performance and it was hard to imagine the final result during the
rehearsals process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Working
with Sonia is very inspiring. She is a perfectionist, and she has the power of
giving you the security that everything is under control despite all the uncertainties
of the case. She’s able to always show you the beauty of our job, no matter all
the difficulties and issues she/we encounter during the process. I love when in the middle of a stressing
moment she repeats smiling, ’everything is going to be ok, in the meantime just
breathe!’ 😊 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz238FhAkysbFeRXtEBbIbeJ49Ytby8HfoPEHbBy7mLDzkaAg-Ro7VXL53pqWXB5PZjMPasMRVv_DWH77hx5JY6Ck55Q_hhXjTDbdzHoucOQuPnhZt75ftvCjNs7B3rcOFWeqW3XNtezvSmDOcj4cLTJZKhi05jlz4VpYmRflOVRu3ngPj1NDg1iQi/s3072/sb2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2304" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz238FhAkysbFeRXtEBbIbeJ49Ytby8HfoPEHbBy7mLDzkaAg-Ro7VXL53pqWXB5PZjMPasMRVv_DWH77hx5JY6Ck55Q_hhXjTDbdzHoucOQuPnhZt75ftvCjNs7B3rcOFWeqW3XNtezvSmDOcj4cLTJZKhi05jlz4VpYmRflOVRu3ngPj1NDg1iQi/w209-h276/sb2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div></div></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpLlFScsi69YNT9K6HZ3CwJ5ZTAyIShFcoKugy0vFI-Jo7-4GXJiktbDGqQXmv5tcvHrg0GZCr-JacEkt5YpLP45rFFMn6iFhPX0-B6l-OKFMGGTbWt4sg_4-uJLHep6W67bhBeW_HEbnW-0eg8lJpgj_E8kDgFUVSpPBen5X0kI29axdPu1vAEhi/s852/sb3.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="852" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpLlFScsi69YNT9K6HZ3CwJ5ZTAyIShFcoKugy0vFI-Jo7-4GXJiktbDGqQXmv5tcvHrg0GZCr-JacEkt5YpLP45rFFMn6iFhPX0-B6l-OKFMGGTbWt4sg_4-uJLHep6W67bhBeW_HEbnW-0eg8lJpgj_E8kDgFUVSpPBen5X0kI29axdPu1vAEhi/w285-h193/sb3.jpg" width="285" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b style="font-family: courier;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Ritual Lift Selfie</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: courier;"><i><span> </span>Costume Fitting<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span></span><span> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0ZMPtx9ADp277dQw3_ZSuwxYyfDYT9g-RMcPLtxdXLOnmbvV5AJzF7xtX1CDvYYFwpKHtGuSS2qxlNe20PkQlPHO2XIjPgVVGUFcZufhrpwtQc_oE3B9ndEU8br7JcLScC8Wvn2JLWfAXsqFIQ_Fn1WJfNIeQLNrQwIqI82JGzt2t3erwo9QSGPs/s2048/sb4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0ZMPtx9ADp277dQw3_ZSuwxYyfDYT9g-RMcPLtxdXLOnmbvV5AJzF7xtX1CDvYYFwpKHtGuSS2qxlNe20PkQlPHO2XIjPgVVGUFcZufhrpwtQc_oE3B9ndEU8br7JcLScC8Wvn2JLWfAXsqFIQ_Fn1WJfNIeQLNrQwIqI82JGzt2t3erwo9QSGPs/w590-h393/sb4.jpg" width="590" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo by Ciara Clayton</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The days of the shows were very full and overwhelming. We met all the
people collaborating with us on stage and behind the scenes, we checked the
performing space and we had to memorize different performance scenarios depending
on how the weather was at the last minute. For security and practical reasons,
we decided to use the in-ear connection during the performance. That means we
could be in constant connection with Sonia, who could give us instructions as
well as guiding us throughout the performance. That was something very new to
me which, on one hand, was rescuing me and on the other hand was worrying me
because I never used it before and I wasn’t sure whether it would have
deconcentrated me from the performance. The first day, we performed indoor, and
as soon as Sonia gave me her first instruction through the in-ear, I went
totally wrong immediately after applying what she just had asked me to do. I
knew it was going to happen!! The adrenaline probably played an important role
during that first moments, but after that everything went well and having the
voice of Sonia was like having a secure mom’s voice that guides you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFkxP3GddoHqgaM1ns9z9L9k8l9-WHPK0s8r_44etqoOi-Oz5kTn_O_JIHwMLMEEFfni_azGUhDCGOzQfeJrrYjDMrvHnS87plrp87O6NjK56WkZCS-abw9aCUogyLlXpdwgQCNJHmfCskUM9X88629xxEPlQDQUfvfPz-0If7tAnQZTec1yHOdSY/s286/sb5.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="286" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFkxP3GddoHqgaM1ns9z9L9k8l9-WHPK0s8r_44etqoOi-Oz5kTn_O_JIHwMLMEEFfni_azGUhDCGOzQfeJrrYjDMrvHnS87plrp87O6NjK56WkZCS-abw9aCUogyLlXpdwgQCNJHmfCskUM9X88629xxEPlQDQUfvfPz-0If7tAnQZTec1yHOdSY/s1600/sb5.png" width="286" /></a></div><p></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The second day was epic. We performed outdoor, the costumes and the
puppet shined as stars, the crowd was so excited and sending us so much energy
that I didn’t even feel tired for one second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was really emotional to see how dance and music, art in general, have
the potential to gather hundreds of people together and bring happiness and
hope. It was a real celebration with a lot of joy and light. As a group,
despite all the adrenaline, tension and crowed situation, we always found
moments of laughing and joking, which made the experience even more enjoyable
and relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtUhXL3TssywKx4WFgaYtVlkWlB2GpOL8pks3gmncpdnJuS7pOL6s5fo8KE1Q3fItfMyxiiwb_gyw_Mk08KfHilNd3cbPjuT6G_WN2ITjMSPI5CwmCL2rK3pbjPFiEYBVwA0ii1rIq1rBtV03x5fksyPa0qNKMmozxOzNcZbPkKqgSrbhAhXKotUP/s909/sb6.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="909" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtUhXL3TssywKx4WFgaYtVlkWlB2GpOL8pks3gmncpdnJuS7pOL6s5fo8KE1Q3fItfMyxiiwb_gyw_Mk08KfHilNd3cbPjuT6G_WN2ITjMSPI5CwmCL2rK3pbjPFiEYBVwA0ii1rIq1rBtV03x5fksyPa0qNKMmozxOzNcZbPkKqgSrbhAhXKotUP/w316-h210/sb6.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Photo by BBC News</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">It was very touching
to see how each member of the company was giving 120% of themselves to help the
group and to make sure that we all could have the best show ever both during
the creative process and the performance days. I firmly believe that is what
makes the difference between someone that just does their job and someone that
really loves what they do. And this is the power of this amazing and inspiring
Sonia Sabri Company family. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span><i> Photo by Ciara Clayton</i></span></span></p></div></span><p></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-5014688382369356642022-10-17T13:24:00.006+01:002022-10-17T13:27:09.940+01:00<div class="separator"><br /></div><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial;"> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u><span>Sharing the Light – Welcome Diwali </span></u></b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are delighted to be a part of Sharing the Light - Welcome Diwali in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome + Bullring & Grand Central. </span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a large-scale FREE outdoor participatory performance event taking place across Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October at Bullring & Grand Central, co-produced by Sonia Sabri Company and German Puppeteers Dundu – The Giants of Light. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial;">From dusk (6.30pm) Birmingham will burst into life to welcome Diwali with a festival of light. Featuring breathtaking puppets by Dundu, dhol drummers and dance performances by Sonia Sabri Company.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The dance processions will involve a wonderful group of community dancers led by four fantastic dance artists:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTe7PMy9nnHKofauLibgLwwvqCuqvIdLEMa_nqowxsc_cVyV25EUSElE7R7WyQFHuM2Zwghsvlisb8T5spapqsbv3Loc_fx3hWzCIHrkJrigkGrVC15Ub9T9y_m2o676lZ362MSqLZAYJO7ibOofi6d01OM7pSkzV2dVgIkF05Et_exbBNTWMWdse6/s2000/Sharing%20the%20Light%20-%20Welcome%20Diwali.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTe7PMy9nnHKofauLibgLwwvqCuqvIdLEMa_nqowxsc_cVyV25EUSElE7R7WyQFHuM2Zwghsvlisb8T5spapqsbv3Loc_fx3hWzCIHrkJrigkGrVC15Ub9T9y_m2o676lZ362MSqLZAYJO7ibOofi6d01OM7pSkzV2dVgIkF05Et_exbBNTWMWdse6/w418-h334/Sharing%20the%20Light%20-%20Welcome%20Diwali.png" width="418" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p>The four dancers taking part in Sharing the Light are:</p><p><br /></p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUFYRe8BGljQtqqOwRtHDdaxE9_ZOPq_CUF30fr91AKOizsOmxUJrs9EO5wbfyKOtz5et3K8grLbSYYJHlX6MpNRT_-OManKw_fC20Uxyshr6kHcRYEWqNEONtHXCp1tLQTcJavovzahOtbK5YuYhC3DMGAt7cATas4MGuhMmVeRsGV_Qa-wP8w7J/s2048/IMG_6104.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUFYRe8BGljQtqqOwRtHDdaxE9_ZOPq_CUF30fr91AKOizsOmxUJrs9EO5wbfyKOtz5et3K8grLbSYYJHlX6MpNRT_-OManKw_fC20Uxyshr6kHcRYEWqNEONtHXCp1tLQTcJavovzahOtbK5YuYhC3DMGAt7cATas4MGuhMmVeRsGV_Qa-wP8w7J/s320/IMG_6104.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>Aakanksha Rawat</u></b> is originally from India and has a degree in Business Marketing. She pursued her passion for dance and has been working with Sonia Sabri Company for five years. Aakanksha is a part of Sonia Sabri Company's teaching faculty. She also leads dance workshops in community settings, for children and adults and has also lead workshops for National Youth Ballet School. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She performs regularly with Kathakaaars alongside organising and leading Kathakaars sessions. She started touring for “Same Same But Different” in 2019 and toured the show in 2021 and 2022. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She has also performed in the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and has recently performed in the company’s new production, “Mughal Miniatures Preview” in 2022.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4TW3gnO85HmVXdQkzA6O0iAUdPm5hTRfiRQuoy9iQnAlRF-OrJGnxAa2nMUyVCKCCIqK7pHCt5CKTAN4Qz0LNyHW3zOg7jhaXAAN4OloOOpJXLWsOBDjPn5jP52nYbLgkaUi38ewm-vBoV6D3-NKZ8PIvbgOJ-0Q_Nt6H6oYEQigxWOv2GQI4B-J/s2048/IMG_6111.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4TW3gnO85HmVXdQkzA6O0iAUdPm5hTRfiRQuoy9iQnAlRF-OrJGnxAa2nMUyVCKCCIqK7pHCt5CKTAN4Qz0LNyHW3zOg7jhaXAAN4OloOOpJXLWsOBDjPn5jP52nYbLgkaUi38ewm-vBoV6D3-NKZ8PIvbgOJ-0Q_Nt6H6oYEQigxWOv2GQI4B-J/s320/IMG_6111.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>Selene Travaglia </u></b>is a London-based dance artist born in Trento, Italy. She started her professional studies in Milan and then she continued her journey at Trinity Laban in London. She graduated in 2016 with a first class degree and in 2017 with a MA in Dance Performance. Selene was a company member of Transitions Dance Company in London for the season 2016/17 and she now works and tours nationally and internationally as a freelance dance artist with Wriggle Dance Theatre, Fuora Dance Project, Jess Murray Dance, Baejjahn Dance Company, Keneish Dance, A Truefitt Collective, Sonia Sabri Company and other choreographers in Europe. Selene was cast as one of the main characters of the experimental film ‘Prisoners of the Body’ in Munich directed by Elisa Nadal which has been selected as one of the four finalist films in the "National / International Experimental Film" category at the Student Oscars ® 2020 in Los Angeles. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Selene also performed and toured interdisciplinary works by the research oriented artist and writer Monika Jaeckel in 2020 and the poet Adam Kammerling in 2022.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNOB1ETchwig86HeZijD0Q6Wr8D26yG4WwRiJOl3Ddfkpt8y_9Yb1MfbfWMO9OXfzr1GuvpZmkG4alIdzf51ElynKy9l5DNavJGX1dIlGZJESgTlyzWttlsKJXDX1JK_zjFtukv2Tqm96N04WDqMo91RaF33ULocvYQx_M92-9gOpjS1Xq09KLpjT/s2048/IMG_6107-3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNOB1ETchwig86HeZijD0Q6Wr8D26yG4WwRiJOl3Ddfkpt8y_9Yb1MfbfWMO9OXfzr1GuvpZmkG4alIdzf51ElynKy9l5DNavJGX1dIlGZJESgTlyzWttlsKJXDX1JK_zjFtukv2Tqm96N04WDqMo91RaF33ULocvYQx_M92-9gOpjS1Xq09KLpjT/s320/IMG_6107-3.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>Helen Calcutt </u></b>is known for her dynamism and versatility as a poet, performer, choreographer, and dance artist. With a strong background in theatre, Helen is trained in Cuban rhythms, Contemporary dance, and commercial (hip-hop), and works with specialisms in the intersections between text, voice and movement. Her artistic work is wide ranging, from live television, to professional dance work, choreographic commissions, and community teaching. She has shared her practice, collaborated, and toured with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, The REP, Midland’s Actors Theatre, Fabric (DanceXchange) Autin Dance Theatre, Birmingham 2022, and Sonia Sabri Company. She was awarded a DYCP from Arts Council England to expand on her interdisciplinary practice in poetry and dance in April 2021, with further research supported by One Dance U.K. She was nominated for a Women in Dance Award with AWA Dance, 2020. Helen is the author of three volumes of poetry. Her latest collection, ‘Somehow’ (Verve Poetry Press, 2020) was a PBS Winter Bulletin Pamphlet, and a Poetry School Book of the Year. She was one of the six poets selected to write and perform for the opening ceremony</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TOhT0uL4ZyPSVj-INOfMDWeh1a8fZpun2CexKHewLXlobB367BPXzaLKVoOYFAWRqMNQ67Kon9G6x8fcxut057clajIFPUZ97JY9lvHphwajoJe4Sca7RNI4IyF2cjerh4OMqgv-OdfLFR4fY8KJmzMJJ1QDdaawhuQh8_QV_g7sLg_Y3x6Ql0Cw/s2048/IMG_6103.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TOhT0uL4ZyPSVj-INOfMDWeh1a8fZpun2CexKHewLXlobB367BPXzaLKVoOYFAWRqMNQ67Kon9G6x8fcxut057clajIFPUZ97JY9lvHphwajoJe4Sca7RNI4IyF2cjerh4OMqgv-OdfLFR4fY8KJmzMJJ1QDdaawhuQh8_QV_g7sLg_Y3x6Ql0Cw/s320/IMG_6103.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><u>Ella May </u></b>is a dance artist and facilitator from Ludlow, Shropshire and has recently completed her MA in Dance Performance with Mapdance at The University of Chichester. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ella has worked with and toured works by Kiera Martin, Sarah Golding, Robert Clark and James Cousins. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ella is really enjoying being back in the West Midlands as part of this project and looks forward to bringing joy through dance to the people of Birmingham.<br /></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Find out more about the event here:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.bullring.co.uk/events/diwali</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and make sure that you follow us on our social media channels for behind the scenes action!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="default-style"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/soniasabricompany">https://www.facebook.com/soniasabricompany</a> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/SoniaSabriCo">https://twitter.com/SoniaSabriCo</a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;">
</p><div class="default-style"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/soniasabrico">https://www.instagram.com/soniasabrico</a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-42151092228682335182022-09-28T15:18:00.001+01:002022-09-28T15:20:03.544+01:00Sonia Sabri Company partner Greta Zabulyte - Filmmaker and Photographer<p>We have been lucky enough to work with Greta Zabulyte on several projects and she has been instrumental in photographing and filming the creation and performances of our new piece Mughal Miniatures Scene 1: The Awakening. </p><div><br /></div><div>She was able to capture the initial R&D phase as well as performances in iconic Birmingham locations such as the Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery as well as live performances as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival and Birmingham Weekender.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here Greta describes in her own words the experience of working with Sonia Sabri Company:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyNKEUkdJp1osy6mWIIyOxTYJ534390gSuo8FjS02k-_BfytXb_14X0fz5jn-QfKgc_ooo3FGhLO0WqmwDdZg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-30930266471654565472022-09-21T11:13:00.001+01:002022-09-21T11:15:35.431+01:00<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Future Dance Leaders Strategic Apprenticeship Programme </span></u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Deadline extension</span></u></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT4lR_Y-o88XOX7nQivWXnMmTeYcQvlFkr_0ECvlSH9BSrwbTReoNLGumHU3zXWImi0nVFXwR8E8mvOen8KiaHKHkbLXEQV42u-nTvIlCeJN1gQ-iWWZRD3eTHWv9E3GyBchUUZrZXiK49_9dg43oI4V-vB8h5vfHZJz5Jlq6Z4PD8MAhwBSAxr4b/s1600/IMG-3840%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT4lR_Y-o88XOX7nQivWXnMmTeYcQvlFkr_0ECvlSH9BSrwbTReoNLGumHU3zXWImi0nVFXwR8E8mvOen8KiaHKHkbLXEQV42u-nTvIlCeJN1gQ-iWWZRD3eTHWv9E3GyBchUUZrZXiK49_9dg43oI4V-vB8h5vfHZJz5Jlq6Z4PD8MAhwBSAxr4b/w412-h232/IMG-3840%20(1).jpg" width="412" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mughal Miniatures Scene 1 : The Awakening at Birmingham Botanical Gardens by Greta Zabulyte</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Apprentice Call Out</u><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Are you a talented, young, Midlands based</span><b style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px;"> </b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">dancer or dance producer, working in South Asian dance traditions, </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">looking for career enhancement, mentoring and creative collaboration opportunities?</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> This could be the opportunity for you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Artist-led dance and music organisation Sonia Sabri Company, supported by partners Birmingham Hippodrome and Black Country Dance Hub, is looking for 5 emerging dancers, and/or dance producers, that are Midlands based or are able to demonstrate a strong connection to the region, </span>to undertake a bespoke 8-month Apprenticeship Programme.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">This is a paid Apprentice Programme is for dance artists and producers from South Asian backgrounds and/or who specialise in South Asian dance forms. The programme offers real-world training opportunities at the heart of our touring company, in response to the marked lack of clear progression routes for dancers whose principal practice is in South Asian forms, in the wider dance sector.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Apprentice Programme will run from October 2022 – May 2023 (flexible working; not full-time).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u>Outcomes</u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Develop your networks and career prospects<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Enhance your collaborative skills, in particular creating artistic work in dialogue with other dance forms<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be inspired and more knowledgeable to pursue future work in a variety of contexts e.g., schools and education, outdoor touring, community work<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be more employable<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">See yourself as not just a dancer, but a dancer-deviser<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Receive a £1,000 ‘no strings attached’ seed cash commission to create/produce a new piece of performance.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Criteria</u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><br /></u></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be aged 21 years old or above, there is no upper age limit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be working professionally as a dance artist or producer for a maximum of 5 years (doesn’t need to be consecutive or full time)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be interested in not just performance, but work that encompasses children and young people, and community based creative projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be interested in getting experience of a variety of roles in a touring dance company (education, administration, education, performance).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be interested in how your dance specialism can be brought into dialogue with other dance styles and artforms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be disciplined, committed, and have good availability across the project period.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><u>What will the Apprenticeship entail?</u></span></p><br /><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be allocated a key contact Mentor from Sonia Sabri Company’s core team.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Together you will establish a series of personal key enquiry questions you want to interrogate through the programme.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will have 12 paid core days to shadow, explore and investigate your practice e.g. 4 rehearsal/studio shadowing days, 4 masterclasses days, 4 mentoring/networking days.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The key contact person will additionally meet with you (in-person or zoom) once a month to offer support, guidance, networking, and signposting.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will also receive a series of 6 masterclasses with leading Midlands choreographers (working both in South Asian dance forms and, crucially, other forms) to further inspire your work.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will take a leading role performing in/producing dance performance-based workshops as a touring team, for 10 diverse primary schools in Birmingham and the Black Country.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will receive a £1,000 ‘no strings attached’ seed cash commission to create/produce a new piece of performance.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At the end of the programme in May 2023, apprentices and mentor organisations will come together over the course of a ‘Graduation Weekend’ to share commissions, have practical artistic dance workshops, evaluate, and reflect.</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><u>Fees</u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">This is a paid Apprenticeship opportunity. In addition to your ‘no strings’ attached commission of £1,000, your time to undertake the Apprenticeship programme will be paid at £100 daily rate or £510 weekly rate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>How to Apply</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Please send your CV, or portfolio, or examples of your work, alongside either:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A cover letter (max 2 A4 sides) OR<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A video (max 5 mins - captured on your smartphone is fine) OR<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A voice note (max 5 mins)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">The supporting cover letter/video/voice note should indicate clearly:</span></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How you meet the criteria<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why you are motivated to be an Apprentice<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Initial thoughts on what you’d hope to get out of the bespoke mentoring</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Please let us know if you require this pack in large print or other accessible formats - we are very happy to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">To informally discuss the project and opportunity before you apply, please reach out to Ciara Clayton, Programme Manager, to arrange a call: </span><a href="mailto:ciara@ssco.org.uk"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ciara@ssco.org.uk</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Please send all applications to </span><a href="mailto:info@ssco.org.uk"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">info@ssco.org.uk</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> with subject header ‘Future Dance Leaders Application’.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Due to the unprecedented recent events over the last ten days and the recent Bank Holiday we are extending our deadline to apply to </span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Monday 26</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">th</sup><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> September 2022.</span></span></b></p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-73503966702825663922022-09-07T10:19:00.016+01:002022-09-21T10:50:19.170+01:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Future Dance Leaders Strategic Apprenticeship Programme</span></u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT4lR_Y-o88XOX7nQivWXnMmTeYcQvlFkr_0ECvlSH9BSrwbTReoNLGumHU3zXWImi0nVFXwR8E8mvOen8KiaHKHkbLXEQV42u-nTvIlCeJN1gQ-iWWZRD3eTHWv9E3GyBchUUZrZXiK49_9dg43oI4V-vB8h5vfHZJz5Jlq6Z4PD8MAhwBSAxr4b/s1600/IMG-3840%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT4lR_Y-o88XOX7nQivWXnMmTeYcQvlFkr_0ECvlSH9BSrwbTReoNLGumHU3zXWImi0nVFXwR8E8mvOen8KiaHKHkbLXEQV42u-nTvIlCeJN1gQ-iWWZRD3eTHWv9E3GyBchUUZrZXiK49_9dg43oI4V-vB8h5vfHZJz5Jlq6Z4PD8MAhwBSAxr4b/w412-h232/IMG-3840%20(1).jpg" width="412" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mughal Miniatures Scene 1 : The
Awakening at Birmingham Botanical Gardens by Greta Zabulyte</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u>Apprentice
Call Out</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Are
you a talented, young, Midlands based</span><b style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px;"> </b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">dancer or dance producer, working in
South Asian dance traditions, </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">looking for career
enhancement, mentoring and creative collaboration opportunities?</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> This
could be the opportunity for you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Artist-led
dance and music organisation Sonia Sabri Company, supported by partners
Birmingham Hippodrome and Black Country Dance Hub, is looking for 5 emerging dancers, and/or dance producers, that are Midlands based or are able to demonstrate a strong connection to the region, </span>to undertake a bespoke
8-month Apprenticeship Programme.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">This
is a paid Apprentice Programme is for dance artists and producers from South
Asian backgrounds and/or who specialise in South Asian dance forms. The
programme offers real-world training opportunities at the heart of our touring
company, in response to the marked lack of clear progression routes for dancers
whose principal practice is in South Asian forms, in the wider dance sector.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The
Apprentice Programme will run from October 2022 – May 2023 (flexible working; not
full-time).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u>Outcomes</u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Develop your networks and career prospects<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Enhance your collaborative skills, in particular creating artistic
work in dialogue with other dance forms<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be inspired and more knowledgeable to pursue future work in a
variety of contexts e.g., schools and education, outdoor touring, community
work<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be more employable<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">See yourself as not just a dancer, but a dancer-deviser<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Receive a £1,000 ‘no strings attached’ seed cash commission to
create/produce a new piece of performance.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Criteria</u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><br /></u></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be aged 21 years old or above, there is no upper age limit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be working professionally as a dance artist or producer
for a maximum of 5 years (doesn’t need to be consecutive or full time)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be interested in not just performance, but work that
encompasses children and young people, and community based creative projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be interested in getting experience of a variety of roles
in a touring dance company (education, administration, education, performance).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be interested in how your dance specialism can be brought
into dialogue with other dance styles and artforms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be disciplined, committed, and have good availability
across the project period.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><u>What
will the Apprenticeship entail?</u></span></p><br /><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will be allocated a key
contact Mentor from Sonia Sabri Company’s core team. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Together you will establish a
series of personal key enquiry questions you want to interrogate through
the programme.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will have 12 paid core
days to shadow, explore and investigate your practice e.g. 4
rehearsal/studio shadowing days, 4 masterclasses days, 4
mentoring/networking days.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The key contact person will
additionally meet with you (in-person or zoom) once a month to offer
support, guidance, networking, and signposting.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will also receive a
series of 6 masterclasses with leading Midlands choreographers (working
both in South Asian dance forms and, crucially, other forms) to further
inspire your work.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will take a leading role
performing in/producing dance performance-based workshops as a touring
team, for 10 diverse primary schools in Birmingham and the Black Country. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will receive a £1,000 ‘no
strings attached’ seed cash commission to create/produce a new piece of
performance.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At the end of the programme
in May 2023, apprentices and mentor organisations will come together over
the course of a ‘Graduation Weekend’ to share commissions, have practical
artistic dance workshops, evaluate, and reflect.</span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><u>Fees</u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">This
is a paid Apprenticeship opportunity. In addition to your ‘no strings’ attached
commission of £1,000, your time to undertake the Apprenticeship programme will
be paid at £100 daily rate or £510 weekly rate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">How to Apply</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Please send your CV, or portfolio, or examples of your work,
alongside either:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A cover letter (max 2 A4 sides) OR<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A video (max 5 mins - captured on your smartphone
is fine) OR<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A voice note (max 5 mins)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">The supporting cover letter/video/voice note should indicate
clearly:</span></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How you meet the criteria<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why you are motivated to be an Apprentice<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Initial thoughts on what you’d hope to
get out of the bespoke mentoring</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Please let us know if you require this pack in large print or
other accessible formats - we are very happy to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">To informally discuss the project and opportunity before you
apply, please reach out to Ciara Clayton, Programme Manager, to arrange a call:
</span><a href="mailto:ciara@ssco.org.uk"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ciara@ssco.org.uk</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Please send all applications to </span><a href="mailto:info@ssco.org.uk"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">info@ssco.org.uk</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> with subject header ‘Future Dance Leaders Application’. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Deadline Monday 26</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">th</sup><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> September 2022.</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p>
</p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-6700823482962282182022-05-24T15:18:00.005+01:002022-05-24T15:21:31.939+01:00<p><b><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kin</span><span style="font-size: large;">ga Malec</span></span></u></b></p><p><b><u><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="57p43" data-offset-key="fdr31-0-0" style="font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fdr31-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fdr31-0-0" style="background-color: black; color: white;">Find out how dancer Kinga Malec enjoyed the first week of R&D for our new project that will be taking place this year as part of Birmingham 2022 in the summer. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="57p43" data-offset-key="5uuj9-0-0" style="font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5uuj9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5uuj9-0-0" style="background-color: black; color: white;">Thank you to Creative City for making this happen. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="57p43" data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="background-color: black; color: white;">Keep watching this space for more details on this exciting project!</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="color: #0f1419; direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Wn0_eFagWo" width="320" youtube-src-id="7Wn0_eFagWo"></iframe></div><br /><span data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7emkn-0-0"><br /></span></div></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-78540375066947039262022-02-15T14:19:00.004+00:002022-02-22T12:32:25.010+00:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">IN REHEARSALS WITH
"SAME SAME...BUT DIFFERENT"- DAVID EVANS</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6d4NviLf_NcBgqRqqugXfiLDLk2lShwRQJrbcr2e6OUav56i_aXAHpbjDcoda7H4omN7mc5SK81hW2irOvhCzVVz_okKKgoN2DmWgcnX-LqqNMlXzy6dqy5XovG6pFKyl-nda2_KW32RcsIZ91VEScMC88KgxWoRH3v-AXihZ6N4_Itlso8fBWnTN=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6d4NviLf_NcBgqRqqugXfiLDLk2lShwRQJrbcr2e6OUav56i_aXAHpbjDcoda7H4omN7mc5SK81hW2irOvhCzVVz_okKKgoN2DmWgcnX-LqqNMlXzy6dqy5XovG6pFKyl-nda2_KW32RcsIZ91VEScMC88KgxWoRH3v-AXihZ6N4_Itlso8fBWnTN=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div><br />As the dance world begins
to open up again, I’m so glad to be back in the studio rehearsing Sonia Sabri
Company’s family show Same Same…But Different before we head out on tour. <div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
rehearsals the body is worked, and this leaves me with a feeling of having put
in a hard day’s work. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I enjoy how dance, and this show in particular, with its
movement, playfulness, and music, touches the many parts of my being,
physically and emotionally. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibz9Wvn0-txRf1JmC7bJ3Vhxr5Jte4HuS_6Y-IThXKus6rsbDGhmzJtOal08NiWqorE6elZdIrPKJqKNjVbYbCSVBY3llzdovbGCZAbK1AgL-wqn-4bh4YBcI2T0Jty25EaZQ0XPOhzI65Tzr2vxLjhvbDwyNG9x6rxTsLelaVfp21RK_KEAjk9pke=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibz9Wvn0-txRf1JmC7bJ3Vhxr5Jte4HuS_6Y-IThXKus6rsbDGhmzJtOal08NiWqorE6elZdIrPKJqKNjVbYbCSVBY3llzdovbGCZAbK1AgL-wqn-4bh4YBcI2T0Jty25EaZQ0XPOhzI65Tzr2vxLjhvbDwyNG9x6rxTsLelaVfp21RK_KEAjk9pke=w176-h234" width="176" /></a></div><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">As well as dancing, I
am extending my repertoire by incorporating sections on my acoustic guitar. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This
is my first time playing the guitar to accompany dance and there is something
very particular about dance and music performed together live and how they become
a duet. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I usually write music by myself, so it’s been a journey of discovery
for me learning new ways of collaborating to help tell the story of these
sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Hj1m56JvosmXrV9gmap_NQgSS9fJwL8Jtmh4feyoi_2bcWVAUsHk80wzaHV3UOMXrNeeHVTo3s5bTAksaxXn2hEkZNim8ee1ezS8uGXUPrHypNmgxuyggxRbbGzCNXj9n-eT_PEvoNWxREuaUxHjCxbUP6ldq5YiEXBDG5HRBoJKVZ39XS9nkrVV=s2580" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2580" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Hj1m56JvosmXrV9gmap_NQgSS9fJwL8Jtmh4feyoi_2bcWVAUsHk80wzaHV3UOMXrNeeHVTo3s5bTAksaxXn2hEkZNim8ee1ezS8uGXUPrHypNmgxuyggxRbbGzCNXj9n-eT_PEvoNWxREuaUxHjCxbUP6ldq5YiEXBDG5HRBoJKVZ39XS9nkrVV=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The show is propelled
by the idea of difference and belonging embodied in the phrase, “Same same… but
different.” In the show, three friends playfully wrestle with their own
difference and belonging. I was drawn to the project in part because of this idea.
I was born in New Zealand, grew up in the US and Singapore, and moved to the UK
10 years ago. I became a British citizen five years ago. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At the centre of my
own immigrant experience has been this process of navigating difference and belonging.
It’s been a process of discovery, but it has also been a process of frustration
and contradictions. Moments that mark us out as different. It might be dress,
accent, what you eat, what makes you laugh. Even when these differences are
received positively, they are still seen as differences. However, these
experiences of feeling different are not limited to me or the immigrant
experience. It’s something we all experience at one time or another. The
beautiful thing is that we have a choice to engage with our own and each
other’s differences, embrace them, celebrate them, and at the same time see the
many ways in which we are all the same. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOveaF1PGy2B0yuRDQChcivEmsm1nLO7Krlor7Tc8PsCcjlt4Il0eFd4lf2snNdEUMndv6wx3fn3dsXX5xs38D2XomQpZDfEcea9UbKmw3RfV6M1QMNPTt0q9s_LoxVMtxY_8WlykcxKUeOlx65hkhkMhksGCB6xl4ZogNlVZLUvrF5TrgmOaKjokQ=s6000" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOveaF1PGy2B0yuRDQChcivEmsm1nLO7Krlor7Tc8PsCcjlt4Il0eFd4lf2snNdEUMndv6wx3fn3dsXX5xs38D2XomQpZDfEcea9UbKmw3RfV6M1QMNPTt0q9s_LoxVMtxY_8WlykcxKUeOlx65hkhkMhksGCB6xl4ZogNlVZLUvrF5TrgmOaKjokQ=s320" width="213" /></a></div><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />Another theme I’ve
been reflecting on in the piece is discovery, particularly in the context of a
family show. I’ve been at home this week in between rehearsal weeks and
spending time with my ten-month-old. He and I make lots of discoveries
together. Things that have become very normal to me he helps me rediscover.
During bath time, I dunk a cloth into the water, lift it out, and he watches the
water pour out in a long stream. He tries to grab it like it’s solid and
watches it break around his hand. He tries to stop the drip at its source,
putting his hand on the cloth and then watching the water run down his arm. He
looks at the water curiously and then looks back at me, sharing the discovery
with me. It reminded me how there are things in the world that children are
best suited to discover. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Throughout the show, there are many discoveries that
our characters have about the world, each other, and themselves. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I am so
looking forward to seeing how the audiences and children in particular react to
the show and to hear their joy and laughter as the performance unfolds. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Co authors David Evans and Lisa Godsal</span></p></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-61718299409250408392021-11-24T13:25:00.005+00:002021-11-24T13:27:17.734+00:00<div class="separator"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>ON TOUR WITH "SAME SAME...BUT DIFFERENT"- KATIE ALBON</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hf1ZhcJ9znFyvGULlaeRvpqx2-sLT6GccYizOMQAFxwAbolzf475H_0BCxWoIt_ZDsbSd42rq_OSrlc28JBPuAA_Dlf1fn78qxzoi_sGdh_VGn0LCvQYdgnVaGkapAJd884Zqc86ejc/s3024/PXL_20210428_112835222.PORTRAIT_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="2478" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hf1ZhcJ9znFyvGULlaeRvpqx2-sLT6GccYizOMQAFxwAbolzf475H_0BCxWoIt_ZDsbSd42rq_OSrlc28JBPuAA_Dlf1fn78qxzoi_sGdh_VGn0LCvQYdgnVaGkapAJd884Zqc86ejc/w150-h183/PXL_20210428_112835222.PORTRAIT_2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I joined the company in June 2021 to learn ‘Same Same…But Different’ ready for the Summer and Autumn tours. '</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgislYfhxYA0KhmYgA5u8GZwNw307PQRcQ-6t6C-N_KTiVgN7udrUD4r2gMaj9ykgjVB40BGo44o76fVvnrnYNiyEorKnOHfhAxy-_kfmcwsc8Rh7SQEqMlQAMSID0eMQzeMVN-BfnQaJY/s1879/244552432_10161431560779746_4904577254968744462_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1879" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgislYfhxYA0KhmYgA5u8GZwNw307PQRcQ-6t6C-N_KTiVgN7udrUD4r2gMaj9ykgjVB40BGo44o76fVvnrnYNiyEorKnOHfhAxy-_kfmcwsc8Rh7SQEqMlQAMSID0eMQzeMVN-BfnQaJY/w189-h115/244552432_10161431560779746_4904577254968744462_n.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><br />By the end of November, I
will have performed the show a grand total of 42 times! <div><br /></div><div>It has been a busy time but there have been some unforgettable moments.<br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAgBWZHjzSIKOBg3O8YIS2e6mcRbWrsiXy2gPmZv0v3OisXWeQw4p6S74GfeWWcHM8nyhKI2cc-Bz_Kq_RD9XxLjBepm0g-dBbe9rwcv0v69FhHmCG37F8Q2yu2SeEgkx10ZRlMX8N1o/s622/IMG-9712.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="408" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAgBWZHjzSIKOBg3O8YIS2e6mcRbWrsiXy2gPmZv0v3OisXWeQw4p6S74GfeWWcHM8nyhKI2cc-Bz_Kq_RD9XxLjBepm0g-dBbe9rwcv0v69FhHmCG37F8Q2yu2SeEgkx10ZRlMX8N1o/w134-h205/IMG-9712.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>Touring for me is not just
about the performing (which of course is a joy in itself); it’s about the communities
we meet, the conversations with the families after the show, the meals shared
with the company, the laughter in the van, the time exploring new places…I
could go on and on!<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Performing a show aimed at children and their families has
been a lot of fun. I love the instant reaction from the children; they smile,
laugh and shout out what they think and feel. I feel very lucky to be able to
bring joy to their days and to open up conversations for them about difference
and why we should celebrate difference.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7rjTjgPauFz_x7avQSZqSHuGm0zU9Xt5Sg4LfKNAR_6AOUqu4xU9w0a2pXRIF8WFQFHkjVmaMFQiUs0SFvGz6jgTHULY0jvod2h6yjJ2w1dkyr8fe_CWoKXSl9FUDXdcynSRgjA1uQY/s748/6C1AA0DA-8BE4-4098-B4B2-ECAD1873F5DE.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="748" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7rjTjgPauFz_x7avQSZqSHuGm0zU9Xt5Sg4LfKNAR_6AOUqu4xU9w0a2pXRIF8WFQFHkjVmaMFQiUs0SFvGz6jgTHULY0jvod2h6yjJ2w1dkyr8fe_CWoKXSl9FUDXdcynSRgjA1uQY/w200-h158/6C1AA0DA-8BE4-4098-B4B2-ECAD1873F5DE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have also been busy delivering workshops in primary
schools and in some of the performance venues. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have loved leading the
creative part of these sessions, taking the children through a task that allows
them freedom to create their own movements and then share and perform to their
classmates. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">A highlight for me was our day in Broadmayne organised by Arts
Reach. We had two workshops that day, one with ‘Premix’, an inclusive
performance company for 7 - 11 year-olds. We had a brilliant time exploring
some of the props (like bells and a long red ribbon) and the different dance styles
from the show through improvisation and play. As a key theme of the show is
celebrating difference, I think it’s really important that all children are
included in the work that we do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmtVmBk50qCYwrHQFG2Ul1DUkS4D4JhurPcDV-76XiCzCesvtPlTjsO8TXzXBuNDfppQGDam48UHD7Ldsjo_zQRAR_tuRocQAKdOt6PotHa2eJkxqWy4byMao7Z8j57qVe4WhuHqC6qo/s2048/fullsizeoutput_762.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1979" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmtVmBk50qCYwrHQFG2Ul1DUkS4D4JhurPcDV-76XiCzCesvtPlTjsO8TXzXBuNDfppQGDam48UHD7Ldsjo_zQRAR_tuRocQAKdOt6PotHa2eJkxqWy4byMao7Z8j57qVe4WhuHqC6qo/w231-h239/fullsizeoutput_762.jpeg" width="231" /></a></div>Something I’ll particularly take away from this experience are
the memories of the lovely people we’ve met and the comments from the children
after the show. One girl (age 9) said:<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white;">“I really enjoyed the show because all the
other shows are different to this one, and this one was funny, I don’t normally
enjoy shows and this one was the best one I’ve been to, it’s really joyful. I
get really into it, it’s really good”. </span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMtyeQsPHo6Lk1fGfoPBcsaVtpXwJ2hwk4U4a5ATQY_j8qWAK4bzW1jvBBdS5FOWvCDxQCP8D909E-c5ALtM_N5KGjov_Hp1y1lpfbuZp2gf2KI5SuIPCyaoZLgKEDIrC2DaA3YmVcPY/s2048/SAB02671.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1879" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMtyeQsPHo6Lk1fGfoPBcsaVtpXwJ2hwk4U4a5ATQY_j8qWAK4bzW1jvBBdS5FOWvCDxQCP8D909E-c5ALtM_N5KGjov_Hp1y1lpfbuZp2gf2KI5SuIPCyaoZLgKEDIrC2DaA3YmVcPY/w180-h196/SAB02671.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rural touring is unpredictable, you don’t know what the
spaces will be like until you arrive and you might be performing to 2 people or
200 people. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Every day is different but every day is an adventure!<o:p></o:p></p><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p></p></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-6025717217849437142021-10-19T13:32:00.005+01:002021-10-19T13:34:55.408+01:00<p> INTRODUCING SAME SAME ... BUT DIFFERENT'S NEWEST DANCER - GEORGE PEREZ</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbH9oWSy3kIHhKeZtni9A2vHTds-fy5xYQYsAsE6ptamW3hdZ9O-oC5EAjotPLPLpftRmQbozlwjbip_oQauynXMjZEDVie_ty7gEb6m0nvwLHv3AUplSlvBuKlWdUK5fPq0AiuV9ohE/s3024/image0+%25284%2529.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbH9oWSy3kIHhKeZtni9A2vHTds-fy5xYQYsAsE6ptamW3hdZ9O-oC5EAjotPLPLpftRmQbozlwjbip_oQauynXMjZEDVie_ty7gEb6m0nvwLHv3AUplSlvBuKlWdUK5fPq0AiuV9ohE/w167-h167/image0+%25284%2529.jpeg" width="167" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am the new edition to the team of dancers for the
production “Same Same… But Different” created by Sonia Sabri Company. </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As I have
recently graduated in May 2021, I was excited to get out into the professional
world of dance and put my training into practice. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Joining this production will
be my first experience of national touring and I can’t wait to travel around
the UK educating and inspiring the children of today through the love of art. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SEyyriRKu8t_wxePiPA3qeF2JUyiu0751dBSrMPwkeUMIy3atpktFXukFaLgylgBrf4NGIhx44lmKxvxC1TYc-F8iC6SPTIOMqI_X83SYQDQLVughpGBdLu8lznt6WJsalRLXfsy8cM/s2048/SAB02752.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="2048" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SEyyriRKu8t_wxePiPA3qeF2JUyiu0751dBSrMPwkeUMIy3atpktFXukFaLgylgBrf4NGIhx44lmKxvxC1TYc-F8iC6SPTIOMqI_X83SYQDQLVughpGBdLu8lznt6WJsalRLXfsy8cM/w221-h208/SAB02752.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>I wanted to be a part of this production as I felt the
message of “its ok to be different” and even “celebrating our differences” was
an area that was not addressed in my early education and that left me with many
questions about my myself and my differences. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The production is cleverly
designed to highlight the differences between the three dancers. This includes
the dance styles we present, the props that are used, our physical features and
even our choice of clothes. </p><p class="MsoNormal">After observing previous versions of “Same Same…
But Different” I felt the demands of my role were going to be challenging as I
was required to be an<br /> Urban, Beatboxing Guitarist. However, after attending
the first day of rehearsals I quickly realised that Sonia didn’t expect me to produce
the same performance as the previous dancer. We spent a large amount of time
re-creating the role and facilitating the use of my individual skills around
the demands of the production.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcwRyFJl_2pETnyFF0K7GzagLsCI8WEAOHxYr_5a_OFSfqwX4DmmbdLbN9EAegdFbPFcjjUDPn0oBHnZKLTRBkKGit-FgESmG2NqwEcVPxcl_tWS4IRzhKPghVEXvhLLW5UXj3RXPch0/s2048/SAB02887.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="2048" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcwRyFJl_2pETnyFF0K7GzagLsCI8WEAOHxYr_5a_OFSfqwX4DmmbdLbN9EAegdFbPFcjjUDPn0oBHnZKLTRBkKGit-FgESmG2NqwEcVPxcl_tWS4IRzhKPghVEXvhLLW5UXj3RXPch0/w260-h219/SAB02887.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>Working with Sonia I learnt a lot about communication with
the audience and how our intentions will be read and perceived. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As the work is
targeted for children 5+ and is educationally motivated it’s important that our
messages are received and understood by our audiences. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />In response to these
aims we allocated a lot of our time in rehearsal to the intention of our
characters and how we could clearly communicate our thought process with our
viewers. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MZWGWG7w12YGH4CZ-SOrw8VYev1gxRVoPl1oJwoqXCwXheyg8DSJHLV2Jy6a2klVWq8UQtArDZwXU1AwcNpxKQMsrOxrIUzfOCtwE3CHAka2QzeZG0OCoU0S4Fl2xahWdE6AbDXUyKg/s2048/SAB02644.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1454" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MZWGWG7w12YGH4CZ-SOrw8VYev1gxRVoPl1oJwoqXCwXheyg8DSJHLV2Jy6a2klVWq8UQtArDZwXU1AwcNpxKQMsrOxrIUzfOCtwE3CHAka2QzeZG0OCoU0S4Fl2xahWdE6AbDXUyKg/w195-h275/SAB02644.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>Traveling up to Birmingham, learning new styles of dance, meeting new artists and getting the chance to finally perform to a live
audience again has been exhilarating. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It’s such a wonderful feeling to take
this amazing work and inspire and educate children on these messages through
various art forms. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The work containing live music, several props and three different
styles of dance makes it impossible to lose interest. I even questioned if we
could hold the attention of large groups of children for an hour. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Due to the
quickly progressing and constant fluctuating nature of the piece there is never
a dull moment. Often the children are left wanting more and the reaction they
produce and the looks on their faces is enough to fill your heart a thousand
times over.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Feedback from a recent show "My son said that he smiled so much his teeth hurt!"</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">Full tour details are listed on our website under calendar:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://ssco.org.uk/tour_calendar/calendar.php">Calendar - Sonia Sabri Company (ssco.org.uk)</a></p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-76760032735822237492021-10-05T16:24:00.004+01:002021-10-11T13:55:09.896+01:00<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnHsvYNo2jZGUXLTIx-RCwNBxYC2w5znTT8MVPRjCGXthH5kar24ZjpVXz1WuMeWQdpEmyrERm_ovvYP4t1qIPrUfAX1gc8BuUEMyC0KBeJlCP73R26UymLKDrNIEIRr3o2RxNAEEytg/s2048/Banyan+Tree_Sonia-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnHsvYNo2jZGUXLTIx-RCwNBxYC2w5znTT8MVPRjCGXthH5kar24ZjpVXz1WuMeWQdpEmyrERm_ovvYP4t1qIPrUfAX1gc8BuUEMyC0KBeJlCP73R26UymLKDrNIEIRr3o2RxNAEEytg/w135-h203/Banyan+Tree_Sonia-1.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We’re over the moon to announce our Artistic Director & renowned dancer-choreographer Sonia Sabri is part of the creative team working on Wondrous Stories conceived by Motionhouse for the Commonwealth Games 2022, an inspiring large-scale production which will be the opening show of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Audiences will be able to attend seven performances of this spectacular, free event, which will bring together the people of Birmingham in a celebration of the wondrous stories of ordinary people across the region. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUU2Q3m889ZoS5IDu8ShApHmVekKFrjgqShyem-m_WI80ilLVl7pWYWgt9HLyDEMBNATdm8hhucIqXt-HQKvxzcfpvz2ux67AZPSu8A6sZr1G9kWjhh57nwOD8TjG3GlfBJbZivlLiH8/s619/11484447_CWGs_Birmingham_2022_Festival_Logo_Colour_CMYK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="619" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUU2Q3m889ZoS5IDu8ShApHmVekKFrjgqShyem-m_WI80ilLVl7pWYWgt9HLyDEMBNATdm8hhucIqXt-HQKvxzcfpvz2ux67AZPSu8A6sZr1G9kWjhh57nwOD8TjG3GlfBJbZivlLiH8/w200-h171/11484447_CWGs_Birmingham_2022_Festival_Logo_Colour_CMYK.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></span><p></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Professional dancers will be accompanied by local choirs and a community cast of over 300 from the Birmingham 2022 Festival Critical Mass participation project. Sonia will be working with an exciting team of artistic collaborators including Motionhouse, Jamaal Burkmar, poets Raza Hussein & Sebbie Mudhai, composer Sophy Smith & digital artists Logela Multemedia, amongst others.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Raidene Carter, executive producer of Birmingham 2022 Festival said: <i>“It’s a huge privilege to finally announce our plans for the Birmingham 2022 Festival. We are working with artists, creatives and communities from across the West Midlands to celebrate our creativity and shine a light on the region for 6 months, leading up to and following the Games."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We’ll be sharing lots of updates as we help create this extraordinary event, so watch this space!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Photo image by Greta Zabulyte</span></div></div></div></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-43349992116294297112021-07-07T14:20:00.003+01:002021-07-07T14:22:29.085+01:00<p><u> SAME SAME ... BUT DIFFERENT TOUR by CIARA CLAYTON (<span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">dance
teacher and rehearsal director)</span></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj3_QDhHWW4DdXmNZUuOOhGXprRBjgFZvBVFWaZ7_vQhYB8HcBverwk8vaUzRWV5LG7r4f7vHfmERPgYEim-5NzW_Cheusam06k_I-764JylDOAH5BLUK_txGFvW1yf7F1YsqDIwJVzE/s1776/image1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1184" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj3_QDhHWW4DdXmNZUuOOhGXprRBjgFZvBVFWaZ7_vQhYB8HcBverwk8vaUzRWV5LG7r4f7vHfmERPgYEim-5NzW_Cheusam06k_I-764JylDOAH5BLUK_txGFvW1yf7F1YsqDIwJVzE/s320/image1.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">I have recently joined the Sonia Sabri Company as the
rehearsal director for ‘Same Same… <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">B</span>ut
Different’. Having moved to the West Midlands last September I was keen to
explore what was happening in the arts sector here and meet local artists and
creatives. ‘Same Same… <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">B</span>ut Different’
has dancers from varied backgrounds, which was lovely to experience after so
long of having limited interactions with people.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><o:p style="background-color: black;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Working alongside Sonia was a new
experience for both of us as we were strangers when we first met. However, very quickly after a short time spent together in the studio we began to gain an understanding of one another and I was able to comprehend Sonia’s vision for
the work and what her goals and aims were. We were able to bounce off each
other which made the process of bringing back the work with a new cast smooth and
enjoyable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two out of the three current cast
members have previously been in the work so there was a huge focus on making
sure the piece was taught and rehearsed with the newest dancer.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; mso-shading-themecolor: background1; mso-themecolor: text1;"> D</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">uring
this time, however, we realised that even though two of the dancers had already
performed the work in the past, this was over a year ago, due to the global pandemic and they have changed
and developed as people and artists. Therefore, it was important for them to
spend time working on the movement again to make sure it was authentic to their
current selves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpDoWd62PLBXvArFgKnduxtSBx_sViObqp_wfsHzGpdIdK1qmkYi7W1zUOMrcmlndCSK9EPBfBA5jWt84hem3VdJFb_C4bpQjtcR2UBlKPHY4gFl4GR7P8bAobPJuzXdFH3ESIJe3D60/s2048/SSBD_Reh.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpDoWd62PLBXvArFgKnduxtSBx_sViObqp_wfsHzGpdIdK1qmkYi7W1zUOMrcmlndCSK9EPBfBA5jWt84hem3VdJFb_C4bpQjtcR2UBlKPHY4gFl4GR7P8bAobPJuzXdFH3ESIJe3D60/s320/SSBD_Reh.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">For all of us in this rehearsal the experience of being back in the studio was new as we have spent so little time in
the studio and in close physical contact with other people since last March.
Even though this felt a little odd at first, very quickly we all came to
appreciate how special this was. From the arduous cleaning of material, setting
formations and rehearsing timing to delving into the intentions and exploring creative
decisions of the piece, I found every moment engaging and exciting due to the nature
of the work.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Same Same… <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">B</span>ut Different’ is doing a tour of libraries this
summer around England and I think this will allow many children to experience
dance and the arts in a way they may not normally. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not every child has the
opportunity to go to the theatre and it can also be hard to find theatre pieces suitable
for young children. It is so important to bring professional dance work into an
accessible and common place for children such as a library as it will hopefully
spark creativity and allow them to see things in a different way which
they may not have seen before. I think it will also be enjoyable for them to see
live dance after spending so much time experiencing life through a screen
recently.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am looking forward to more of our
rehearsals and watching the show go on tour and I can not wait to see live dance in the libraries!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tour will visit 26 libraries and spaces across England from 27 July-26 August.</span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Full tour details are listed on our website under calendar:</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl py34i1dx gpro0wi8" href="https://www.ssco.org.uk/tour_calendar/calendar.php?fbclid=IwAR3mY0WbxfMXELaivi9jxmT2ZfBA3Y7D9orBPf6KA3rmR0q7jc8t65jCZkg" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.ssco.org.uk/tour_calendar/calendar.php</a> </span></div></div>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-49685599063570724592021-05-11T09:39:00.006+01:002021-05-11T09:56:25.351+01:00<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b><u><span>AKAAR 2021 by <span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif">Anujeet Panesar</span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif"> </span></span></u></b></span></p><p><b><u><span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The buzz, the adrenaline, the melodic sound of multiple sets of ghungroo, the chatter, the microscopic particles of hairspray lingering in the air, the kaleidoscope of makeup palettes. These are the elements of pre-performance dressing room prep to which I have become accustomed over the time I have been learning kathak. Then, the quiet that starts to come over the dancers as we make our way backstage, eyes frantically adjusting to the dark whilst also trying to keep centred, becoming acutely aware of the presence of the audience waiting just beyond. What happens to the experience of performance when these components are removed? What becomes of the performer who cannot see their audience, whose stage can be their garden, living room, kitchen, and whose audience may be watching any time of day, anywhere in the world, in their pyjamas?</b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Personally, whilst preparing for the Akaar online dance festival during the pandemic in 2021, my performative instincts were heightened. I could not rely on the usual rituals, comforting in their familiarity. After a year of living in leggings and hoodies, seeing myself in the mirror with all the accoutrements felt like seeing an old friend, to whom I gave a massive metaphorical hug. However the nerves remained intense despite the familiar environment of my conservatory. Who would see this, was I doing justice to my teacher and my art in presenting something which would be digitally preserved with flaws intact, forevermore? Why could I not find the right camera angle, when was the light streaming in going to be of the right quality for the recording? I became technician, sound engineer, video editor, dance critic.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>At some point, my anxieties were quelled once I realised I may not be alone with this jumble of concerns, feelings and questions. When I watched others’ recordings of their own contribution to the festival, I could see unbridled joy at reclaiming the spaces which had trapped us, by turning them into stages. I could see faces excited to perform with the thrill of a virtual audience. For a few moments, the daily challenges and imperfections of our lockdown lives did not matter any more. My dance reached people who know of my longstanding relationship with kathak but have never seen me perform before, including family in India. Their comments and feedback surprised and uplifted me, reaffirming why kathak has been an anchor throughout my life. Ironically, the physical detachment left me feeling more connected to my audience than ever. Alongside the manifold benefits of dance, this was the year it helped an analogue loving, digital technophobe to find and create new meaning amidst uncertainty.</b></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc5UygVIH_kmDpOHyQWStXt-Rw7fF-_qZYfz1GeOpc_oSResCJxLhe_jclEidPieFdAwr4R9ectzNu2J_Z3EOMNkTKim29wxa932Sz7KE9n9Uzkmg9S6d2eOZ1UY0SleEW_ZxbtRWvq8/s643/image0+%25282%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="385" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc5UygVIH_kmDpOHyQWStXt-Rw7fF-_qZYfz1GeOpc_oSResCJxLhe_jclEidPieFdAwr4R9ectzNu2J_Z3EOMNkTKim29wxa932Sz7KE9n9Uzkmg9S6d2eOZ1UY0SleEW_ZxbtRWvq8/s320/image0+%25282%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"><br /></span><p></p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-74955079616210059912021-01-19T16:08:00.002+00:002021-01-19T16:08:50.621+00:00<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A NEW VIRTUAL WORLD </span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Online Dance Classes with Sonia Sabri Company<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">by Aakanksha Rawat</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sonia Sabri Company shifted all their classes online at the
very first lockdown in March 2020 and has been delivering classes to all their
students virtually ever since. With the world of dance coming to a stop to as
we know it, if it weren’t for these online classes I would have really
struggled to find my groundings. Not only did they give me something to focus
on but also provided me with a way of temporarily forgetting about the chaos
going on outside.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP4dG2JiNzQ_wRDEnG-qBAFiRhalCxZOFcNTevw2W9i5-gfRsUseaowTf5Jxf8tOG6AXfuizEFkXSdKLSLyc049fFE7T9XVjpVRptLfXEUmhu8UUZplXFNKSh-CU8aE2JRPupYDeh35w/s2048/IMG_1713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP4dG2JiNzQ_wRDEnG-qBAFiRhalCxZOFcNTevw2W9i5-gfRsUseaowTf5Jxf8tOG6AXfuizEFkXSdKLSLyc049fFE7T9XVjpVRptLfXEUmhu8UUZplXFNKSh-CU8aE2JRPupYDeh35w/w184-h246/IMG_1713.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">This new virtual interaction has definitely been a blessing
in disguise. Not only has the company managed to continue forward with their
existing students but also gained many new students from across the globe.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Alongside these classes we had some brilliant opportunities to meet and learn
from some incredible international artists in the form of workshops, which
otherwise would have been difficult to accommodate. Being able to connect with
people on a global stage from the comfort of our homes has definitely opened up
a new world of opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Sonia Sabri Company constantly made sure their students feel
a sense of achievement and belonging in this dance community. The company has
been very proudly spotlighting their student’s achievements across their social
media pages. Being a part of this community and looking out for each other has
supported my emotional and mental health massively.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkokk_RSvnN-SkahR-FeC9Y8nXr4o1lOw4Xv9bnTFEEFBUzkBRCslXUuf_Ev4KGeg_nhaVrLOkTv90_h5-_HDRnAG5vpZRdI_zrK0YWHWe7NqZsVGy95i3rucokKQP9m-qducA4yXAX8/s750/92830105_238724294139090_6719766154690166784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkokk_RSvnN-SkahR-FeC9Y8nXr4o1lOw4Xv9bnTFEEFBUzkBRCslXUuf_Ev4KGeg_nhaVrLOkTv90_h5-_HDRnAG5vpZRdI_zrK0YWHWe7NqZsVGy95i3rucokKQP9m-qducA4yXAX8/s320/92830105_238724294139090_6719766154690166784_n.jpg" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Although I do miss being in the studio and cannot wait to
dance in a proper studio again, I am really grateful to these virtual platforms
and would love to carry on with these even when the world returns to normality. </p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The sheer reach and exposure of technology has had a huge impact not only on
the company but also on students and participants who otherwise could not have
been part of our classes and workshops. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I look forward to all my classes and eagerly wait to join
workshops organised by Sonia Sabri Company. They are definitely the highlight
of my day! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B8aTSfjsrI1v1AJ8zSTNqLuMocCa5RqfM5OOApV9rmffMclpXRCOZbV-UjPyS0Q5DhrpLhyphenhyphen80M6umUWpquaXBwl-RcHH4lq3uJ5fKf_ZVfli1a9v7gagNwq0ZFTWFScz4heB04wCJj8/s2048/image00001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B8aTSfjsrI1v1AJ8zSTNqLuMocCa5RqfM5OOApV9rmffMclpXRCOZbV-UjPyS0Q5DhrpLhyphenhyphen80M6umUWpquaXBwl-RcHH4lq3uJ5fKf_ZVfli1a9v7gagNwq0ZFTWFScz4heB04wCJj8/w166-h222/image00001.jpeg" width="166" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 115%;">This experience has also enriched my dance journey. My dance
teacher, Sonia Sabri asked me to send an entry for an online series by Gen
Next, a discussion and support forum for Indian Classical dancers which came
into existence during the lockdown. With the help, support and blessings of my
teacher I was able to feature in their ‘Glimpses of the Future’ series. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Alongside this, I have also been given the opportunity to lead a company class and
dance workshops for young children under Sonia’s guidance and monitoring which
is really helping me grow and learn as a dance student.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I feel extremely blessed to be a part of such a diverse and
renowned company and cannot wait to see what the future holds for us,
regardless of the uncertainties, and hope that we all emerge stronger and more
connected. </p><o:p></o:p><p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-66612295691614010072020-01-28T15:01:00.001+00:002020-01-28T15:01:52.930+00:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.866666793823242px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><u>My first dance tour – Aakanksha Rawat<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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I have been a dance apprentice of Sonia Sabri Company for the last few years and in 2019 I received the amazing opportunity of being invited to take part in my first ever professional dance show, “Same Same … But Different”. This show allowed me to take my love of performance to the next level and I am ever so grateful for that. I was buzzing with excitement for my first ever dance tour. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The show began touring in Autumn 2019 and I got to travel across the country. It was a very exciting experience for me, travelling in a minibus going from one venue to another and staying in different cities. Every day was a unique experience, some days we had two performances at the same venue and other days we would travel straight after the show to the next venue. We got to travel around the country including London, Bath, Cumbria and Wolverhampton and because of this tour I got to explore some beautiful places which I may not have otherwise visited. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Performing for different audiences and receiving such warm reactions from them was very touching and overwhelming. As a performer it was very satisfying and encouraging for me to see the immediate reaction of the audience during the audience participation section. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibcxnj_r7cLHpKpwBsjHn8I7MsX_YrFn7amAPzs_McqlKZB1ZvhIWY9oR0LiPD01n9G0jZG-coTOBSbg84NI6PxjggXxj5sPTUAIQtUs43I9gzk_1uchPiYvcFIWdYuoXwddQ7StLIgs/s1600/Same_Same-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibcxnj_r7cLHpKpwBsjHn8I7MsX_YrFn7amAPzs_McqlKZB1ZvhIWY9oR0LiPD01n9G0jZG-coTOBSbg84NI6PxjggXxj5sPTUAIQtUs43I9gzk_1uchPiYvcFIWdYuoXwddQ7StLIgs/s320/Same_Same-172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Along with the shows, we also led some workshops during this tour. It was very interesting to display the three different dance styles of Kathak, Contemporary Dance and Street Dance in the workshops, especially in more rural areas as many of the children were not familiar with Kathak as a dance style. Even though it was their first introduction to Kathak dance, they were all very keen and enthusiastic to learn what I had to share. <span style="font-size: 11pt;">It was an absolute pleasure and honour to share some of my Kathak vocabulary with all the participants and help spread some awareness of this beautiful art. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZd2_4hoO4EKl42unPnwzoY_WGcm1pU10IkrgYpuU-QdY2LgmbqPWypzy1QsKhqI_5CHYCVLCLNdbjwaMNWmK2NKPKzDyQQtQ4EM-5m6Ib55kBxUmmNZrclgYWmZhMSS9g5HrhDc7ykc/s1600/Same+Same-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZd2_4hoO4EKl42unPnwzoY_WGcm1pU10IkrgYpuU-QdY2LgmbqPWypzy1QsKhqI_5CHYCVLCLNdbjwaMNWmK2NKPKzDyQQtQ4EM-5m6Ib55kBxUmmNZrclgYWmZhMSS9g5HrhDc7ykc/s320/Same+Same-17.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the tour I have learnt more about what goes on behind the scenes for a show and it has helped me recognise how much hard work and effort goes in to making a production<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13.800000190734863px;"> </span></span><span class="MsoCommentReference">which</span> merely as an audience one may not be aware of.<br />
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I enjoyed being involved in creating the show from scratch, managing the team and combining our different personalities and individuality into one show. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Every day we had a specific time for the team to leave for the venue to allow enough time for technical runs, implement notes from previous shows and allow ourselves sufficient time for warm up. Also working with a team of professional artists gave me a wonderful opportunity to learn from my fellow colleagues’ experiences. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this journey and am very grateful to my teacher Sonia Sabri and Sonia Sabri Company for providing me with this brilliant opportunity and I am looking forward to the Spring 2020 tour which begins in February!<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information on where you can catch the colourful and fun family show “Same Same … But Different” please take a look at the calendar section of our website. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZAgf5zYNPZeDJnO6XZ8h5qM4b27ExxBOB_sLyn94GhPdO0BXYWk_q6ujkaauOxVlxicfKugCp-I9RU6M_k7_LkOtZXPHxSy7xkKOxjM9t5XFRZrGOsyBkG2lusG0z954fkAWMFqOiGI/s1600/Same+Same-145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZAgf5zYNPZeDJnO6XZ8h5qM4b27ExxBOB_sLyn94GhPdO0BXYWk_q6ujkaauOxVlxicfKugCp-I9RU6M_k7_LkOtZXPHxSy7xkKOxjM9t5XFRZrGOsyBkG2lusG0z954fkAWMFqOiGI/s320/Same+Same-145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photo credit: Simon Richardson</div>
Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-21169773647274435182019-07-17T13:21:00.001+01:002019-07-17T15:04:49.101+01:00<div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: consolas; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: large;"><u>Creative Intern Simi Sabri</u></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">Hi! My name is Simi and I am Sonia Sabri’s daughter as well as her student. I’ve been learning from my mum since I was 15. Most dancers’ children would learn from their parents since the day they were born. But no. I decided to be a little stubborn and refused to learn from my mum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">I’m glad my mum hadn’t forced me into learning Kathak when I hadn’t had the interest at the time as I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as I do now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">During one of our Kathak classes, my mum had announced that Sonia Sabri Company had been requested to perform at the Birmingham Hippodrome Gala event. This was to celebrate their 120<sup>th</sup>birthday onthe 29<sup>th</sup>June. She had then given us several dates for our rehearsals. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">At the first few rehearsals, it was difficult to have all our dancers available to practice. This was because some dancers were on call for work or not available for that particular date. My mum did not let this affect her rehearsals. In fact, she altered the dance routine with small changes. It made it easier to pick up the movements for the other dancers that were not able to join in time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">Most of my friends would ask, “Isn't learning from your mom awkward?” I can honestly say it isn’t at all. My mum and I are close, and we do spend time together, so it’s not weird, or awkward learning Kathak from her. Also, if I'm stuck on a piece, or I do not remember a part of a sequence, my mum is there to help! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">My mum makes the classes fun, and you look forward to learning new dance pieces from her. She would sometimes ask me for any new songs that we can dance to. This would usually be for upcoming festivals or for our Classical Bollywood classes. It is nice giving ideas for a new dance piece. I have helped my mum with costume ideas, set designs, or where dances would take place for potential venues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">During the last rehearsals at the Hippodrome, we had a walk-through of our dance routine. It began on the second floor, down the stairs, towards the audience on the first floor, and onto the stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">Our first time on the route was challenging for the dancers and me. We were not sure how to get into position in some areas. It seemed puzzling to dance down the stairs, as Punjabi dance is very energetic and spread out. Yet, my mum made sure our choreography was easy to travel around the space.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;">We were not able to rehearse with the drums (dhol) at the time, but we managed to create the rhythm with sounds of claps and bouncing feet. The rehearsal went well but it was demanding as we had a lot of space to cover.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">On the rehearsal the day before the Gala event, we were finally able to rehearse with the dhol drums. Rehearsing with the dhol lifted all our moods, and planted smiles on our faces. It allowed us to submerge ourselves into the rhythms and control our movements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">The staff were mesmerized by the rehearsal and could not help but watch. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">It was entertaining to see my mum trying to point out any mistakes in the dancers, “Stretch your arms!” my mum tried to shout over the drums so we could hear her. I tried to work out what she was trying to say but I only heard muffled noises. Though judging by the tone of her voice, I knew someone was doing something wrong.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">After a long week of rehearsals, it was the 120th birthday of Birmingham Hippodrome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">Waking up to many texts of concerns about costumes and rehearsal times. There was a slight air of panic, concerns about the colour of our veils and jewellery. We did manage to solve the issues by sharing each of our spare accessories if deemed necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">The dancers and I were thrilled to perform. We arrived early to make sure we had time to resolve any issues with the choreography routine. Thus, this gave us time to rehearse and get ready for the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">Getting ready is my favourite part of the performances! Applying makeup, wearing glamorous clothing, and gleaming jewellery. I enjoy wearing our cultural clothing. Wearing it makes me feel proud to be part of my culture. Proud to be Indian. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">After making ourselves all glamorous, it was only a few minutes until show-time. Butterflies, giggles and shy smiles developed as the steward whispered, “one minute till show-time!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">The dhol drummers began playing their lively beats that echoed into the theatre's soul. The drummers enjoyed the smiles from the audience. We felt a positive energy and we got into position and danced with all our energy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We danced down the stairs and dispersed into the audience to invite them to dance with us. It was challenging moving around the dense crowd. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nevertheless, our large dance moves allowed us to glide through, parting them as we moved. The smiles we received were like blooming flowers, filling the room with happiness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">We guided the audience into the theatre to sit down as we continued to dance on stage. Our movements were full of spirit and grace. We jumped and pirouetted whilst our waving arms complemented our fluttering costumes. The blaze of stage lights shone upon us, illuminating our jewellery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">The drummers cued our dance sequence to finish and our feet flew in the air as we jumped in sync to the final beat. The audience exploded into roaring applause. It elevated our emotions, leaving us on a huge high. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;">After the dancers and I arrived back-stage, we applauded ourselves. I was proud of the response we got from our audience. A warm feeling grows in you knowing you performed well, and people enjoyed it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri light"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">The dancers and I felt lucky to be part of the Gala event. It was wonderful for us representing the diverse mix of cultures in Birmingham. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-57300277592414791442019-07-09T12:33:00.000+01:002019-07-09T12:39:07.203+01:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">Being involved in the creative development of “Same Same…But Different” by Laura Vanhulle (Dancer)</span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It has been so great working on “Same Same…But Different”. Each time I work with Sonia the approach is so different. She has a unique perspective on movement and choreography and her passion for dance and unique vision really helps me grow and expand both as an artist and as a human being.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I was lucky enough to be involved from the beginning of this project from research and development to creating the final piece. This for me was a super interesting starting point, and it was wonderful for myself (Contemporary Dancer) to work with the other artists, Mickael<span style="color: #1d2129;"> </span>Marso<span style="color: #1d2129;"> </span>Riviere<span style="color: #1d2129;"> </span>(Breakdance background) and Aakanksha Rawat (Classical Indian Dance). It was fantastic how such totally different people were able to come together into a room and unite to create such an authentic and multi layered work of art. This process confirmed for me how it is important to always be open, stay humble and allow yourself to be vulnerable. This rawness enabled us be open to each others differences and find common ground, to create an exciting piece with so much colour, beauty and truth.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 16pt;">“Same Same…But different” really allowed me to tap into my childhood curiosity and to be vulnerable and reminded me that it is ok to be different; through this we can see the beauty of other people’s differences when we open up ourselves to others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Photo credit: Simon Richardson</span></span><br />
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Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-45889060613094876022019-06-12T12:29:00.000+01:002019-06-12T15:39:36.789+01:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; line-height: 19pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Lok Virsa – Birmingham Hippodrome 30<sup>th </sup>March 2019<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spring was slow to appear in March this year but the sun burst through the clouds on Saturday the 30<sup>th </sup>March just in time for Lok Virsa at the Hippodrome, in the centre of Birmingham. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had heard wonderful tales from other colleagues about Lok Virsa, a one day arts festival <span lang="EN-US">or ‘mela’ of free arts activities and pop-up performances for all the family, but I was not prepared for the joyous carnival atmosphere that was to burst upon the streets of Birmingham and fill the beautifully decorated Hippodrome with </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US">the vibrant sights and sounds of the Indian Subcontinent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">The afternoon began with a lively procession through the bustling streets of Birmingham with passers by drawn in by the stunning costumes of the dancers and hypnotic rhythm of the drums.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">The energy and exuberance of the procession was even enough to stop the traffic in its tracks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88figjl3nQKuUhuquQt3NMt7Bb01FHP0IPmC5sU_dK7RNF6rWHehZS0FuEcNKa8eCSSaOHnaVMHaByOWCax6-U1mi8Vurd-ONauD540MeFufPRfV-2gqajbVNAlrpCQ6Ob01f7s_a5kg/s1600/Untitled+design-2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88figjl3nQKuUhuquQt3NMt7Bb01FHP0IPmC5sU_dK7RNF6rWHehZS0FuEcNKa8eCSSaOHnaVMHaByOWCax6-U1mi8Vurd-ONauD540MeFufPRfV-2gqajbVNAlrpCQ6Ob01f7s_a5kg/s320/Untitled+design-2+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Crowds gathered outside the Hippodrome as the musicians and dancers opened the afternoon festivities with a wonderful selection of dances and invited the public into the Hippodrome for an unforgettable day of music, dance and arts activities for all the family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: large;">My role for the day was to greet visitors and let them know what was happening and what events were taking place. This was no easy task as over 5000 people came along to enjoy all that Lok Virsa had to offer. The time flew as I chatted to people who wanted to learn more about Sonia Sabri Company. We had lots of enquiries about the different dance and music classes that we offer inspired by the stunning performances on the day. I was also responsible for overseeing our great group of volunteers. These students willingly gave up their Saturday to help where needed, from decoration of the Hippodrome in the morning to supporting the artists throughout the day and ensuring that they had sufficient art supplies for the popular art activities. As I zoomed around the building, I also took the opportunity to snap pictures and videos of all the activities to share on social media. The dance and music workshops were full of enthusiastic participants and I loved seeing the concentration on everyone’s faces as they focused intently on learning new steps and rhythms. The joy on their faces when they were able to follow the steps was so wonderful to see.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnAZirY9nI1Xx8TW_MMrLJeZTszh_1d4ANDIETRJ6F6TTbrEqPuiqdlsHVgdLbWvkspQz2Pyq4dQv1YLVmHIs7dOc2nWZeRm4Y0ByKInCZXsPT99rxgfhTEnttibeT1ODq36soDAQUL4/s1600/LOK+VIRSA+art+activity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnAZirY9nI1Xx8TW_MMrLJeZTszh_1d4ANDIETRJ6F6TTbrEqPuiqdlsHVgdLbWvkspQz2Pyq4dQv1YLVmHIs7dOc2nWZeRm4Y0ByKInCZXsPT99rxgfhTEnttibeT1ODq36soDAQUL4/s320/LOK+VIRSA+art+activity.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The free art activities were popular with young and old. Visitors were able to try out calligraphy, rangoli and book binding as well as block printing and it was great that so many who took part were able to take home a memento of their day. The mhendi (henna tattoos) were also extremely popular and the designs were intricate and exquisite.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;">It was lovely to speak to families that had never visited the Hippodrome before or seen the style of music and dance and art activities that make Lok Virsa such a vibrant and exciting festival. It was also so special to see so many families having fun together, from grandparents to young children; everyone had a smile on their faces.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkeFf4pOJbe7BelSiVkC4ud2n7YgEfcEFC9Ggz3w6pLSf4Fc3vEuqAy-QsJ9Ifqv2vW_0mJnoNdoJ6u4BADliCQarCQSBkv-6JGUDOm6EXKvZMniyGaKMH7_IzbQrw7Io4iNG5AlerOA/s1600/Lok+Virsa+music+and+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkeFf4pOJbe7BelSiVkC4ud2n7YgEfcEFC9Ggz3w6pLSf4Fc3vEuqAy-QsJ9Ifqv2vW_0mJnoNdoJ6u4BADliCQarCQSBkv-6JGUDOm6EXKvZMniyGaKMH7_IzbQrw7Io4iNG5AlerOA/s320/Lok+Virsa+music+and+dance.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The atmosphere was carnival like and the magnificent spaces of the Hippodrome echoed with music and laughter. The beautiful film screening of “Dastaan with Sarvar Sabri” accompanied by live music and the eloquence of the poetry readings brought the day to a dignified and serene end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel so lucky to have been a part of this colourful and fun filled day and I am looking forward to the next Lok Virsa – watch this space, as we may well be coming to a town near you very soon!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photo credits: Anisa Fazal, Liv Buckland, and Lisa Godsal</span></div>
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Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-41752698053759128962019-05-15T15:24:00.000+01:002019-06-12T15:41:26.626+01:00Dastaan with Sarvar Sabri<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: black;">After an afternoon spent in the colourful and vibrant Shoreditch in London I could feel my anticipation rising as I took my seat in a small theatre at RichMix for the evening performance of “Dastaan with Sarvar Sabri”. I have attended many concerts and seen many films before but I wasn’t sure what to expect from “Dastaan” which was described as a </span><span style="background-color: black;">riveting experience of live music, film and dance. The stage was bare save for some seats and a blank screen. As the audience filed in and the lights dropped the studio was filled with an air of anticipation. We were all intrigued to see what the evening would bring. Although I had been lucky enough to see the musicians in rehearsal the actual performance was so much more dazzling than I had expected. It was uplifting, exquisite and moving and so unlike any other live performance I had seen before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: black;">This was my first experience of “Dastaan with Sarvar Sabri”. The performance space was intimate and we felt very close to the musicians on stage. Sarvar Sabri opened the show and by way of greeting, he introduced all the musicians. The atmosphere felt welcoming and even the younger members of the audience were put at ease and relaxed into their seats to enjoy the first half. </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="background-color: black;"> Each musician in turn gave us a little explanation of their instrument and the origin of the music that they were going to play. The music selection was eclectic and engaging. They were all interesting, beautiful and unique in their own way but the segment that really took my breath away was Sam Fox on the harp. The combination of her voice and the gentle rhythm played on the harp combined with the melodic tones of the welsh lullaby were mesmerising, evocative and beautifully haunting.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit : Anisa Fazal</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: black;">After a short interval, the performance continued with a </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="background-color: black;">poignant silent film featuring Persian calligraphy by Mehdi Jamali and dance from renowned ballet dancer Marion Tait (Birmingham Royal Ballet). The musicians provided a musical backdrop to the film, in solo or group ensembles as we watched the images unfold. There was also spoken word segments that echoed the emotions displayed on the screen. The audience around me were rapt and I found the relationship portrayed in the film very moving and tender. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT8s0DFoUWVNyY4jrniNjR2GcKpkqnt6muy6xVANwAVqBWqr0fHG7DmE5-pVKk_faSkc2MfzcjLH-LckZifU4CcXPcjeH6BqurZyHoRSf-aT5LiNz7t3N_iZK9bPCBaWWPyFDEYSa4Wk/s1600/Dastaan+still+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT8s0DFoUWVNyY4jrniNjR2GcKpkqnt6muy6xVANwAVqBWqr0fHG7DmE5-pVKk_faSkc2MfzcjLH-LckZifU4CcXPcjeH6BqurZyHoRSf-aT5LiNz7t3N_iZK9bPCBaWWPyFDEYSa4Wk/s320/Dastaan+still+13.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;">The memory of the performance stayed with me long after the evening had finished. Marion Tate’s performance was sublime and she was able to evoke suggestions of loss and love with the most delicate of movements. The echoes of the music especially the beautiful chords of the harp lingered in the air even once the film had finished. I left the theatre thinking not only of the performance but how it had touched me and made me reflect on my relationships and how quickly time was passing and how important it was to make the most of life and all that it has to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;">Each performance of “Dastaan with Sarvar Sabri” is unique and the atmosphere created is subtly different depending on the venue and audience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;">It will be so interesting to perform in a library setting at Cherry Hinton in Cambridge on Saturday 18<sup>th</sup>May where there are still some tickets available:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-&-culture/libraries/library-news/library-presents/" style="color: purple;">https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-&-culture/libraries/library-news/library-presents/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;">We are also looking forward to continuing the tour of this unique and thought-provoking show at the University of Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre on the 24<sup>th</sup>May:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/attenborougharts/whatson/Live%20music%20and%20Jazz/what-s-on-music" style="background-color: black; color: purple;">https://www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/attenborougharts/whatson/Live%20music%20and%20Jazz/what-s-on-music</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-66106067106520809992018-12-05T13:00:00.003+00:002018-12-05T13:01:22.477+00:00Same Same...But Different!<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2847122978112312728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria";"><br />It’s a cold and cloudy morning here at Sonia Sabri company! We can’t start the day here without a coffee… can anyone?<br /><br />Anyway, I’ve been hearing an intriguing sound through the office door for a few weeks now and needed an excuse to see what’s been going on recently in the studio. I very kindly offered to make the office some coffees and finally, I had the chance to step into the dance studio to flick the kettle on and… WOW!<br /><br />Three amazing young dancers leap around the room to a wild rhythm, surrounded by colour and energy. A thought-provoking story is encased in movement. Their passion and enthusiasm for the piece is so exciting! Admittedly, I had to re-boil the kettle after I’d remembered what I was doing…<br /><br />‘Same Same…But Different’ is a new family show, bringing together Sue Buckmaster, artistic director of Theatre Rites and our very own Artistic Director Sonia Sabri. The show uses live music, spoken word, Kathak, contemporary dance and physical theatre to explore themes of identity, difference and belonging. The show will tour from February 2019 and is aimed at ages 5+ and their adults.<br /><br />Catch the performance at Birmingham Hippodrome from Thursday 21<sup>st </sup>to Saturday 23<sup>rd </sup>February 2019! For more information about ‘Same Same…But Different’ and performances, visit: <a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/same-same-but-different/" style="color: purple;">https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/same-same-but-different/</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-26695128416668446972018-11-28T15:50:00.000+00:002018-11-28T16:02:37.848+00:00Winter Weekend Kathak Camp! <h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December 2018</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christmas is fast approaching and we’ve not even started our Christmas shopping here at Sonia Sabri Company due to our extremely busy schedule! Does Santa do click and collect?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As part of our winter programme here at Sonia Sabri Company, we’re thrilled to be again running Kathak Camp! Back by popular demand, Kathak camp will run over the weekend of the 15<sup>th </sup>and 16<sup>th </sup>December, and welcomes all backgrounds, cultures and ages. Participants are required to have a minimum of two years experience in Kathak dance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lead by our unbelievably talented Sonia Sabri, Kathak camp is a brilliant opportunity to be surrounded in beautiful rhythm, music and movement, as well as the chance to refine your current dance skills and connect with other emerging artists. At a time of thinking about others, why not do something for yourself? We’re looking forward to an intense weekend of fun and creativity- see you there!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN-US">For more information, please contact Mel Lewis via email: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null">mel@ssco.org.uk</a> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">or telephone: 0121 622 3135.</span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-4183804327152302092018-09-26T14:09:00.000+01:002018-09-26T14:11:36.250+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u>AKAAR - Tickets still available for SSCo's showcase extravaganza at mac Birmingham on Sunday 7th October 2018</u></div>
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Regional artists are set to wow audiences with their outstanding performances of music and dance.</div>
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Akaar presents some of the amazing talents Artistic Director, Sonia Sabri and Musical Director, Sarvar Sabri have nurtured through their dedicated teaching and guidance. In addition, Akaar showcases guest artists from the region and students from local groups and communities, and together the performers promise an evening of wonder and passion.</div>
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To book tickets contact </div>
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the mac Birmingham on 0121 446 3232 or </div>
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<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="origin" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmacbirmingham.co.uk%2Fevent%2Fakaar&h=AT1IIkKzixR50NJn5D3hIf2JZ1PeFZxfDPCyYUX_9Vioj4gMoOjHg5-xGMcpR8euqMAeWwY5S2qaEgTvmRayjCNBwvmavYn09_KFO7X2hDyMpAanX6b08SLJAQj69V8Twym1mjwLtV_1Q-TkZwb30C1o53WQMY7vuQCA1qEC9GybYj__lRo1NfnSBxnhUB5XPb3bws9H18CnwZ9Ko90mozf-pQ7E0D2-u4fIavFvLzbhRQzeEtONh-muI6DByc0gsmz17SS1n_gqNzmGU1wkhXtK_Owibhl6kxHtWw-20c-fkQK3o8iyV3JAotoF6KZagysfHGQQwgrXlYLxIfpB6vgsX7bi2orFUHVAWDKq6L_RxmzZdkxOmqh8KqJfwoZXbp5yi9GqDQQu-oXLUIw0uFFskwooNFUEGNjsaPKHLvdb" rel="noopener nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/akaar</a></div>
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<br />Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-28089763634831982572018-09-03T14:52:00.001+01:002018-09-03T14:54:42.096+01:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><u>Kathak and Tabla classes with Sonia Sabri Company<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sonia Sabri Company runs classes in Kathak, led by Sonia Sabri and Tabla, taught by Sarvar Sabri. The classes cater for all ages and are a mix of people from all walks of life. I have been attending classes for a while and originally joined the Kathak classes as a distraction from my studies. As my schoolwork load was becoming heavier, I felt I needed an element of escapism to reduce my stress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the class we learn the basics of Kathak, focusing on a variety of footwork, hand gestures, spins and rhythms. In addition, we also learn that Kathak is a very complex and intricate dance form as it requires rhythmic skills and making sure every part of your body is near perfect. Over many weeks we learn and perfect dance routines and once we are ready we have amazing opportunities to perform in showcases in professional theatres and various outdoor festivals, allowing us to grow as a performer and to build confidence in our chosen art form.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The class itself is a welcoming environment filled with people of all different backgrounds, cultures and ages. The students are respectful of their teacher as well as friendly. The Kathak classes are hard work but also very enjoyable. Sonia is an enthusiastic, funny and supportive teacher to the group. She is articulate in describing the movements in Kathak and creative in her choreography.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Kathak classes are a real highlight of my week; during my revision they helped take my mind off my exams and reduced my stress levels to help me focus. Kathak has become my passion, I thoroughly enjoy the classes – they are great fun, and help me to be a more adaptable person and give me complete fulfilment.</span><br />
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<b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: inherit; padding: 0cm;">New term of classes with SSCo for Autumn 2018:</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: cambria;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Tabla - Saturday 8 September 2018 (12-1pm)<br /><br />Kathak - Saturday 8 September 2018 (12-1pm)<br /><br />Asian Folk Dance - Tuesday 18 September 2018 (7 - 8pm)<br /><br />New - Kathak Level 1 - Wednesday 19 September (7 - 8pm)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2847122978112312728.post-3382488830546266372018-06-06T16:06:00.001+01:002018-07-05T22:18:52.438+01:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "calibri"; padding: 0cm;">There is nothing quite like the thrill of performing on a stage in front of an audience. Unless of course that stage is outdoors! It is so special to be able to perform at an outdoor venue or festival where often the audience are within touching distance of you performing and the atmosphere is upbeat and full of energy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ambiance of a music festival sparks a light inside anyone watching. The energy pulsating through the crowd is almost tangible and unites everyone there in perfect harmony. If you've ever been to a festival, you will know what we mean. A good festival experience will consist of meeting people you never normally would, listening to the sweet melodies of music you've never heard before and making wonderful memories you can keep with you for the rest of your life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "calibri"; padding: 0cm;">At Sonia Sabri Company we have been lucky enough to perform at a variety of festivals around the world and come rain or shine, alfresco events are unique and offer a fantastic experience both for the performers and the audience. All the hard work and hours of rehearsal are worth it when you catch a glimpse of members of the audience enthralled and captivated by your performance. </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "calibri"; padding: 0cm;">Our outdoor events often incorporate the basics of Kathak, which give audiences an insight into this joyous and rhythmic Indian dance. Footwork, spins, rhythmic choreographies and the art of storytelling through mime, gesture and facial expressions are often explored accompanied by live music on a variety of instruments! The beat of the drums is infectious and it is wonderful to see young and old clapping along or tapping their own toes in time to the music. The melodies seem to hang in the air and the special bells worn around the dancers feet add an ethereal note to the performance. It always feels so special to be able to introduce the energy of Kathak to a new audience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At SSCo music and dancing go hand and hand. Without the music there would be no dancing. The infectious melodies of Kathak encourage audience members to feel and move to the music, it is very much a two-way relationship with the performer and audience feeding off each others’ energy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: "calibri"; padding: 0cm;">Not all performances take place in glorious sunshine, however, and evening performances or performances at dusk can also add a haunting undertone or highlight the passion in an individual or group display. The atmosphere can be even more intense and uplifting as the sun slowly sets and the music echoes through the darkness.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The feeling of looking out from the stage and seeing a crowd of people all having a wonderful time is amazing and one of the best feelings in the world. We are looking forward to new and exciting performances this summer that will hopefully thrill and entertain no matter what the weather!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you are interested in catching a live performance by Sonia Sabri Company or would like more information on booking SSCo please </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">email</span><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">info@ssco.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">or call 01216223135.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lisa Godsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03566617156071219424noreply@blogger.com0