AKAAR supporting emerging talent!

Sonia Sabri Company is inviting Birmingham based dance and music groups to take part in a new showcase event, Akaar at mac (Midland Arts Centre) on Sunday 9th March 2014 at 5pm.

Akaar 2014 is a special performance event that aims to celebrate emerging talent and support the interest and breadth of South Asian Arts being created across Birmingham. Both individuals and groups are invited to present their own work in a professional setting; the prestigious and newly refurbished, main theatre at mac.

With the support of others, SSCo hopes to build on the event’s success and establish an annual regional platform for aspirational performers.

Akaar is open to dancers and musicians aged 11yrs+ and as an intergenerational showcase, we hope to include in the programme a range of work. So whether you love to perform classical, folk, Bharathanatyam, Bollywood, Kathak, or even attempting to break new ground with fusion or experimental South Asian dance and music, we would like to hear from you.

Akaar aims

SSCo would like to extend the invitation to performers across Birmingham. The event aims to provide opportunities for performers to:

Ÿ Showcase thier work

Ÿ Meet other performers

Ÿ See a range of both dance and music work

Ÿ Encourage and inspire performers to create and perform live

Ÿ Nurture new talent 

Criteria

Akaar is open to:

Ÿ Individuals and groups based in Birmingham working in either dance or music or combining both art forms

Ÿ You must be 11yrs+

Ÿ Performers from any background can apply to take part i.e. school, youth, community or cross generational etc.

Ÿ Performers must be committed to taking part in in a technical rehearsal at mac on the day  

To take part

Contact SSCo on 0121 622 3135 or request the simple application form by emailing juliet@ssco.org.uk or info@ssco.org.uk                 

Deadline: Monday 26th February 2014

Baithak House, 202b, Moseley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0RT UK

Great opportunities for 16 - 24yrs, come along to the Creative Employment Fair Jan 25th 10am - 1pm at Birmingham Library

Calligraphy in Motion

 SSCo presents Calligraphy in Motion as part of Birmingham Museum's Qalam exhibition

7th December 2013 - 7th December 2013

A performance and participatory event led by Sonia Sabri. See the art of calligraphy brought to life through movement and join in a fun workshop for all ages. This event is part of a programme to accompany the exhibition 'Qalam: the art of beautiful writing'.
Saturday 07 December 2013
3-3.45 pm
Round Room, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Free.
Full exhibition listing:
http://www.bmag.org.uk/events?id=2851

Hope to see you there!

Great reviews for Rudra at York Minster last weekend!

 

' Rudra took us on a mesmerizing journey that makes one wish the art of performance weren’t so ephemeral. One is glad to know that such a high-quality production with an incredibly talented team will be touring many sites around Yorkshire in the Spring of 2014'   Seetal Kaur Gahir 

Click here for full review by Pulse 
http://www.pulseconnects.com/content/Rudra%E2%80%93Emotiveflight

More reviews...
 http://www.yorkmix.com/things-to-do/dance/review-indian-music-and-dance-mesmerises-york-minster/

Rudra opens this weekend! An epic tale choreographed by Sonia Sabri

Emotive Flight

RUDRA reverberates through the universe... a powerful force in the shape of Shiva that destroys evil and restores balance, this performance echoes the cycle of peace, disturbance, love and lament.

Manasamitra resurrects ancient Indian mythology with an exciting fusion of contemporary music and dance. Choreographer Sonia Sabri, working in contemporary kathak brings together four regional dancers with contemporary and Indian dance backgrounds to create RUDRA against an original musical score performed live. RUDRA will offer audiences a new experience of Indian arts.

Creative Team

Music composition - Shri Sriram
Choreography - Sonia Sabri
Vocals on composition - Supriya Nagarajan
Assistant choreography - Amayra Fuller 
Set and costume design - Hannah Sibai
Lighting design - Mickie Mannion

Dancers

Nikki Bakolis, Lucy Haighton, Alys North and Jyoti Uniyal

Musicians and Live Music Composition

Saxophone - Jesse Bannister
Mridangam (South Indian drum) - RR. Prathap 
Violin - Kartik Raghunathan
Flute - Melissa Thompson

Saturday 23 November 2013, 7:30pm - York Minster

·         Tickets: £15, £12 concessions

·         Box Office: 01904 557 208 • www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org • info@yorkminster.org

·         Venue: York Minster, York YO1 7HH

Supported by Arts Council England, York Minster

Sonia Sabri Company performing at British Dance Edition 2014

We are pleased to announce that Sonia Sabri Company will be performing at BDE next year in Scotland! A biennial event, British Dance Edition is a showcase of the best of British dance for the UK and international dance industry. Thursday 30th January to Sunday 2nd February 2014 in venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

http://www.britishdanceedition.com/artists/sonia-sabri-company/

Sonia Sabri Company stuns audiences at Illuminate

Read Birmingham Events review below!

http://galinawallsphotography.co.uk/birmingham-events-illuminate-2013-celebration-light/#.UoCx-SSvwfF

Iluminate ! Three atmospheric days and evenings of amazing interactive light artworks in Southside.

Commissioned by Birmingham Hippodrome, Sonia Sabri Company will perform as part of this weekend's Illuminate Festival. We hope to see you there!

LLUMINATE

Featuring a 360° film igloo; a light inspired live dance performance; a series of interactive street projections; and from Shanghai, the Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors Exhibition. Make a night of it, grab a bite to eat en route from our hub and explore Southside in a different light this autumn. All attractions are within a five minute walk of the theatre and each other.

Start at either end of the trail, there is lots to see along the way. The first 100 visitors to Hippodrome Square or
LeTruc will receive a FREE Illoom glowing balloon. Mr Wilson’s Second Liners Band will lead a glowing procession down to Gallan Car Park at 6.30pm in time for Echolalia at 7pm, and again at 7.30pm in time for the 8pm show.

Illuminate Hub - LeTruc
Ladywell Walk/Arcadian
Pop into the lovely French restaurant Le Truc, our hub space for Illuminate, where you can find special cocktails and buy a good old fashioned hot dog to take away.

	Southside Faces by Andy McKeown Loft Lounge / Carpark Fri 25 & Sat 26 Oct 6 - 10pm Photographs of Southside faces, colourised as pop art posters will contribute to an everchanging stream of local portraits, creating a mind blowing, gigantic wall of colour. Be part of Southside Faces by dropping in to the photoshoot on Mon Oct 7, 12noon till 7pm at Hippodrome Square.
	FlameOz Hippodrome Square Fri 25 & Sat 26 Oct, 6.30 - 7pm, 7.45 - 8.15pm, 9 - 9.30pm FlameOz will light up your evening with stateof- the-art LED technology and awe-inspiring choreographed fire dancing. These virtuoso circus artists draw complex patterns in the air with stunning kaleidoscopic visuals and fi rebased special effects. Guaranteed to thrill!
	Echolalia Gallan Car Park, Hurst Street Fri 25 Oct 7pm & 8pm, Sat 26 Oct 6pm, 7pm, 8pm Sun 27 Oct 7pm Illuminate finale performance Choreographer Sonia Sabri and new media artist Andy McKeown have evolved a performance over three days. Projections are layered with movement, gesture, colour, shadow and sound to spark your curiosity and take you to another dimension. Inspired by communication, the word Echolalia means a child’s repetition of sounds uttered by others. After each performance explore the lighting environment and create shadows and shapes of your own. Performer: Patsy Browne-Hope, live projected colour space: Andy McKeown, music: Sarvar Sabri. Commissioned by: Birmingham Hippodrome with support of DanceXchange.
	Body in Motion 360° Panoramic Cinema Experience Arcadian Drop in Fri 25 Oct 1 - 2pm & 4 - 9:30pm & Sat 26 Oct 12 noon - 9pm Drop in and be in the middle of the action! Get swept up in a series of amazing films projected in a 360° dome. An immersive experience for all ages, some of the best new 360° films covering sport, dance, music and movement. Curated for Illuminate by Toby Norman-Wright with ICCI, Plymouth University and Igloo Vision. Encompass 360° Digital Dance: Toby Norman- Wright and Chris Vandyke. Dancer: Sonia Sabri. Image: Lloyd Russell, Plymouth University.

Last Chance
to Book Diwali Discounted Workshops

Discover Diwali….
a exciting pathway into both the past and present 
through dance & music workshops

About SSCo - Sonia Sabri Company, SSCo tours performances both nationally and internationally and is recognised as one of the leading dance and music companies in the UK. SSCo work with people of all backgrounds and ages, running regular classes in the company’s home base of Birmingham at mac.  SSCo offers the highest quality input ranging from a one-off workshop to short residencies around the UK.

Education work  - Learning is at the very heart of what SSCo do. Through workshops, residences, talks and seminars, our artistic team aim to build meaningful relationships with schools, communities, organisations, and audiences that provide people with opportunities to enjoy and immerse themselves in the creative arts.

SSCo’s skilled, experienced artists are ready to support early years, all key stages and beyond, right through to students studying for GCSE, BTEC, A Level and HND study.

As South Asian Arts specialists, Sonia Sabri and Sarvar Sabri are internationally renowned for their creative practice and work in schools. With over 10 years experiences of working in both mainstream and special needs schools as well as a vast array of communities, SSCo provide multidimensional arts experiences that impart real cultural insight and knowledge to participants.

Discover Diwali….workshops

Through creative facilitation, our artists use a range of art forms, techniques and skills to engage children in every stage of the creative process, enabling children to thoroughly enjoy learning about the history, story and celebrations surrounding the most celebrated South Asian festival, Diwali.

Please click here to know more  about  workshop information

and pass onto the dance and music teachers in school.  To enquire or make a workshop booking:  

please contact Juliet on 0121 622 3135 or email juliet@ssco.org.uk

Book now and get an early bird discount!

Project Coordinator and Volunteers needed!

Good news, SSCo recently received  funding from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop a project that explores and documents the oral history and heritage of woman who have contributed to the successful development of Birmingham’s Ladypool Road.  

The project will aim to:

-        Collect stories that will become part of a permanent archive in the new Library Birmingham

-        Develop a website that will provide access to archive material

-        Recruit participants from the community of Ladypool Road and record stories

-        Recruit volunteers to assist on the delivery

-        Work with Birmingham Library and Archives to provide training for participants, staff and volunteers.

Do you want to help deliver the project? 
Do you want to receive oral history training? 

SSCo is looking for volunteers and participants now. Please contact info@ssco.org.uk or call 0121 622 3135 fr more information.

Vacancy: Sonia Sabri Company looking for a Project Coordinator for HLF project. Please see details below.
Thank you

 Application deadline: 19th June 2013

http://www.ssco.org.uk/Job/job.html

JUGNI opens with a glow

SSCo's new touring production, JUGNI opened at Leicester's Let's Dance International Dance Festival earlier in May, and received a standing ovation!

Poetic, dramatic and soul stirring, Jugni (female fire fly) captures the spirit and stories of real women. 

Jugni is a dramatic blend of dance, music and meaning with soaring live vocals and percussion inspired by Qawaali, and powerful contemporary choreography driven by the passion of the female energy, spirituality and creative expression. 

'I was taken on an emotional journey' Audience

'Stunning' Choreographer Norway 

Artistic Director Sonia Sabri says,

'I have always been fascinated by the physical, mental and emotional strength of the woman, JUGNI performed by a predominately all female cast is a homage to all the woman of the world.' 

JUGNI promises great musical depth featuring a surprising and eclectic mix of Welsh and Urdu vocals, Egyptian percussion and of course tabla.  Says Sarvar Sabri:  “We didn’t necessarily go out of our way to find artists of different nationalities. We head hunted the most talented female artists who had a passion for their art as well as for the subject matter.” 

We continue to tour JUGNI this summer and look forward to seeing you! 

Sonia Sabri Company at London Southank's Alchemy Festival

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Following the huge success of past events at Alchemy Festival, Sonia Sabri Company returns with a jam - packed programme to coincide with its 10 year celebrations.

Come and be a part of the celebrations:

What is Kathak dance?

April 11^th – 6pm-7pm: Clore Ballroom: interactive performance/lecture on Kathak, its popularity in the UK and Sonia Sabri Company’s unique style. FREE event.

Jugni (work in progress)

April 12^th – 6.30pm-7.30pm: Blue Room: Jugni work-in-progress sharing for producers, funders, promoters. Poetic, dramatic and soul stirring, Jugni captures the spirit and stories of real women.

This is an invite only event. For an invitation please contact parminder@ssco.org.uk.

Kaavish
April 18^th 7.45pm: Purcell Room: Kaavish followed by
post-show discussion with Sonia Sabri and Donald Hutera, dance writer for the Times.

Kaavish celebrates 10 years of Sonia Sabri Company and presents a mix of old and new. The first half traces the company's past, presenting three acclaimed works including the solo 'Neon Dream' choreographed by Shobana Jeyasingh.

The second half is a specially commissioned new work, 'Labyrinth' - a collaboration between Sonia and acclaimed Bharatanatyam performer Ash Mukherjee. The show highlights dynamic live music arranged by Musical Director and Tabla maestro Sarvar Sabri.

Kaavish is co-commissioned by Milapfest, Sampad and mac.

For tickets click here

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/sonia-sabri-company-71674

Inspiration

10-21^st April: Clore Ballroom

Screening of 2D version of a 360 degree film originally produced by Dancing for the Games and Cultural Olympiad. Sonia’s Inspiration is the first ever Kathak dance solo film for a full dome format and has been presented at Birmingham’s ThinkTank Planetarium and as part of Dome fest 2012.

 April 21st Performance by  Kathakaars SSCO's emerging dancers

For further information please contact info@ssco.org.uk

SSCo Celebrating Ten Years

As part of our ten year celebrations, SSCo  opened Kaavish at Liverpool Capstone Theatre last Saturday, and it went down a storm! Now we now look forward to performing in our home town and second home the Birmingham mac this Saturday 24th Nov, where in fact Sonia Sabri started her journey as a dancer at the age of eight. Kaavish highlights some of SSCo's best known performances from the past ten years, including an extract choreographed by Shobana Jeyasingh. The second half is an explosive collaboration of kathak and bharatanatyam with  Sonia and Ash Mukherjee, an energetic duet that will leave you breathless!   As always, SSCo is pleased to present dynamic live music by  Ustad Sarvar Sabri through out the show.

We are also, proud  to platform local talent on Friday 23rd, as SSCo students of Classical Indian music and Kathak will take over the mac stage for the night. Another night full of surprises!

Do keep an eye out at the mac for other SSCo events, including dance film by Toby Norman- Wright, Paintings by Sarvesh Saini and random performances. 

http://www.macarts.co.uk/event/kaavish-celebrating-ten-years

Inspiration

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SONIA SABRI will present ‘INSPIRATION’, her brand new solo dance film at ThinkTank, Birmingham Science Museum www.thinktank.ac

Wednesday September 26^th at 7pm

Tickets:  £6

ThinkTank, a radical new concept for science museums, is a world class family attraction at Millennium Point in Birmingham and features four floors of interactive exhibits and live art and performance for all ages.   Thinktank’s Planetarium uses state-of-the-art digital technology to present breathtaking images on a 360 degree interior domed surface.  The audience, sitting in reclining seats, is immediately involved in a totally immersive experience – imagine sitting in the centre of an eggshell – and will be able to view the film as it plays all around them.

Grabbing technology by the scruff of the neck, the visionary Sonia Sabri is presenting the first ever kathak dance solo film to be produced for a planetarium featuring music by the digital and audio designer Chris Vandyke.  As part of DomeFest 2012, ‘Inspiration’ will be showcased along with work by other performance companies, some of whom will be selected for the final film programme at the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium at the National Space Centre in Leicester on November 16^th and 17^th.

‘INSPIRATION’: At the dawn of time, the Universe comes into being and star fields begin to take form. The Hindu deity and protector of life Prajapati (recognised as the constellation of stars known as Orion is the West) materialises, dividing and replicating himself into humanity and the animals of the Earth…

Artistic Director:                       Toby Norman-Wright

Choreographers:                       Toby Norman- Wright and Sonia Sabri

Dancer:                                     Sonia Sabri

Audio and Visual Production:  Chris Vandyke with Callum Goodwilliam.
Chroma production:                 Callum Goodwilliam

New Delhi - Sonia Sabri writes

"I've been immersed in aroma, colour, laughter, lyric, melody and movement for the past three weeks in the city that pulsates with centuries old artistry and unyielding spirituality, and yet, courts with the "mind blasting" advancements of science and technology: New Delhi.

It's that time when I am in need of refueling. For the three years I've been making and making work for my own company as well for others who have never even participated in performing arts, let alone Kathak. On top of that, I've been performing all around the globe and back. With my other hat on - Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company - there have been several changes and considerations with the future of the company and it's position on the UK scene as well the international. It has been a wonderful three years indeed but quite a few forget that I'm actually human, and once in a while, I need to collect my thoughts as well as my breath!

Having said this, I'm not on 'holiday'...I'm out here with Musical Director of SSCo Sarvar to replenish our creative minds for the next BIG project....and other big projects following that ...(hehehe).
We've been in and out of meetings with some movers and shakers out here and wow it is full on. Not just the number of meetings. I mean the PASSION these people have for the arts and where they want to go with it. We've been inspired hearing such motivated opinion formers and artists talk about music and dance and the strategies they are developing. But it's also interesting, and once again brings home that the arts is so much about taste. For example, the understanding of tradition, classical, contemporary, avant-garde, etc is so different to the UK.....and to understand it, one would have to be born there.

The results of our 'chai-chats' have already borne some fruit. Sarvar recorded for All India Radio which will be aired later next month; and we were both interviewed live on Evening Live for National TV following repeat broadcasts, reaching about a billion people (not bad for it having nothing to do with the Olympics!). I was also invited to compere for an inaugural concert of Sufi music 'Rooh' at the India Islamic Cultural Centre last Saturday. It went down tremendously well. ENI will be telecasting it on National TV sometime soon (that's another billion and again nothing to do with the Olympics!! Sorry - I better stop).

Sarvar and I are particularly excited by some of the talents we've come across who have not had much exposure. Remarkably, some of them are very young. It's unbelievable the abundance of high quality dancers and musicians. New Delhi is certainly the 'belly' where artists from all the corners of India gather. We've met artists who have recently migrated from rural parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Assam, Cochin, Bihar and Nepal and all sing/play/dance their souls out. Although their artistry reflects the peaks and troughs of life, we are transported into an idyllic bubble and as if the observations of everyday challenges happens to an another species and we people simply glide by.....
Beautiful.
We're hoping we can collaborate with them at some point soon.

My studio awaits....."

Soniaxx

360 Encompass Digital Dance

This weekend – July 19^th – 21^st – Sonia Sabri will be choreographing for and performing with Encompass 360 Digital Dance at the Edge Arts Centre, a vibrant arts centre located on the campus of William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, Shropshire.  The show that’s being created for this fantastic venue is an immersive dance event based on the 8 Olympic values as part of the celebrations that lead up to the 2012 London Olympics. 

The event combines dance, film, and digital arts; some of the dancing will have been filmed in advance, some will be performed live over the three dates – all of it will be projected onto Igloovision’s 21 metre dome  on a screen that surrounds the audience inside the Igloodome in full 360 degrees.  The dance piece will be fully immersive – projected around and above the heads of the audience giving the impression of moving within it. 

The Edge arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire 

Tickets £3/5 more details  www.encompass360.co.uk

Kathakbox at Solihull Arts Complex on 22nd May

Kathakbox
Tuesday 22 May 2012 at 7.30pm
Solihull Arts Complex, Library Square, Touchwood, Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RG
Tickets: £10 (£9 concs), £7 children
Box Office: 0121 704 6962 or book online
Presented by Sampad

With special curtain-raiser performances from Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, Alderbrook School, Solihull, and Dance Workshop Contemporary Youth Dance

“I felt like jumping up onstage to join them…full of vibrant energy…Kathakbox is at the same time uplifting and highly enjoyable.” (Londondance.com)

Kathakbox is the latest production from one of the UK’s most dynamic dance companies. Sonia Sabri Company celebrate the diverse energy of modern Britain through a brand new dance style: Urban Kathak.

Kathakbox brings together Indian Kathak dance’s grace and vigour and the rhythms & rhymes of Hip Hop culture.

Complex classical rhythms converse with beatbox and the verbal dexterity of Kathak rap (Kavitt) layers with urban poetry.

Kathakbox does not ‘box in’ these genres to a particular time or place, but discovers the raw spirit and heartbeat of each art form which reverberate between cultures.

Reflecting the diverse, intersecting rhythms of the human experience, Kathakbox encourages us to ‘think outside the box’.

This bold, heart-pounding production features Sonia Sabri performing alongside dancers Nathan Geering, Suzanne Grubham and Amayra Fuller, tabla maestro Sarvar Sabri, acclaimed spoken word artist & vocalist Marcina Arnold and beatboxer Shan Bansil.

Sonia Sabri Company at the Alchemy Festival 2012

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

For the third year running, Sonia Sabri Company returns to the Southbank Centre’s Alchemy festival with a unique programme of performance and workshops:

Lok Virsa: Without Borders

Tuesday 17th April 2012, 6pm

The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre

Free event

Lok Virsa simply means the 'heritage of the people'. It is this beautiful simplicity that Sonia Sabri Company celebrates, bringing together the arts of music, poetry and dance rooted in the lands of the Indian subcontinent.

India and Pakistan share a rich and robust cultural heritage, which even today unites the people of each country, despite modern borders and political differences. This living heritage has spread across the globe, influencing much of our contemporary arts today: a testament that physical or any form of segregation does not affect the spirit of the arts and culture. In fact, it is the arts that enable us to rise above material matters and celebrate our existence, beyond what words can describe.

Internationally acclaimed Sonia Sabri Company invites some of the most inspirational artists originally from Pakistan to collaborate on a unique interactive presentation especially for the Alchemy festival. Lok Virsa features a rare chance to see traditional folk song, music and dance from different regions of Pakistan, with a guest speaker to give an overview of the current arts scene. Lok Virsa is hosted by the UK’s leading Kathak artist, Sonia Sabri. Find out more at the Southbank Centre's website.

Workshops (free events)

Pakistani Folk Dance Workshop

Saturday 21 April 2012, 11am and 4pm, The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre

Learn the moves of traditional folk dances from the subcontinent that influence much of the dance styles today. This workshop is fast, energetic and packed with lots of fun! Suitable for anyone with an interest in dance.

Calligraphy Workshop

Saturday 21 April, 12.00pm, Foyer Bar, Level 2, Southbank Centre

Urdu calligraphy is an art widely admired for its beauty, and the skill and creativity required of the artist. Have a go at learning the basic techniques or Urdu calligraphy and create a piece of craft that you can show off. Spaces are limited for these free workshops and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Folk Song and Rhythms of Pakistan

Led by Sarvar Sabri and Aasia Suman

Saturday 21 April, 1pm & 4.30pm, The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre

Have an interest in singing or playing a percussion instrument? This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the essence of folk songs from Punjab and Multan and how to play the regional upbeat grooves with technical flair which makes this genre stand out from the rest. If you have good vocal chords and/or percussion instruments please do bring them along!

Musharia: Poetry Recital

Saturday 21 April, 2.30pm, The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre

This is an intimate and interactive session, where you can hear some of the UK's finest poets share their humorous, romantic and topical poetry. You can also share your compositions and take part in discussions. A mushaira is a beloved part of the culture of Pakistan and North India, and it is greatly admired by participants as a forum for free self-expression. Open to all who have an interest in Urdu and Punjabi poetry, ghazal and nazam.

Youthink - NEW young people's project at The Drum, Birmingham

Calling 13 19 year olds for

YOUTHINK

Do you have a passion for performing?

Are you a dancer, singer or actor living in Birmingham?

YOUTHINK needs you!

Sonia Sabri Company is recruiting young performers for a new dance theatre project focussing on issues surrounding community & identity.

Aspiring producers, designers, directors, script-writers, musicians and dancers are needed for the YOUTHINK project which runs from February-May 2012 to create a spectacular performance at The Drum Arts Centre.

To find out how you can get involved, call Sonia Sabri Company on 0121 622 3135 or

email: education@ssco.org.uk