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Haus Sommer ist das Netzwerk-Label der Tänzerin und Choreographin Dasniya Sommer. In wechselnden Kollaborationen mit anderen Künstler:innen untersucht und erweitert sie die Formensprache klassischen Balletts unter dem Einfluss von Shibari, Body Art und zeitgenössischer Performance Kunst.

Haus Sommer is the network label of dancer and choreographer Dasniya Sommer. In changing collaborations with different artists she questions and expands the formal language of classical ballet under the influence of Shibari, Body Art and contemporary performance art.

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Shibari Class April

 

When: Tuesday April 28, 2026 at Haus Sommer / Uferhallen
Hours: 7-9.30pm

This Light – intermediate Shibari class is directed at people with previous bondage/shibari experience, and at newbies who like to learn Shibari techniques in a small group environment.
We begin intuitively with rope basics by following individual impulses to place and guide the rope around your partner. When safety principles like body handling, rope management and friction get smooth, we move on to systematic rope patterns. Verbalising desire, sensing the breath, or experimenting different qualities of touch are ongoing communication tools during the practice.
Technically the class this includes: floor play, harnesses such as futo momo, TK / gote / box
harness / panty- / mermaid techniques, and up-lines which will be taken to semi-suspension.
There is time to switch roles to deeper understand restriction from both perspectives. The roped experience, as well as the complex skill set of the rigger, in order to create meditative ties or sexy phantasies.

The class material and aesthetic is strongly inspired by Japanese Shibari artists such as Norio Sugiura, Kasumi Horai or Akira Naka. Dasniya has learned from them during several workshops and encounters in Europe and Asia. Another important teaching source is her professional dance and performance practice which includes collaborating with Roméo Castellucci, Florentina Holzinger or the collective Das Helmi. Continuously transforming the traditional ritual for stage or installations Dasniya has been an inspiring rope artist beyond the Berlin community since 20 years.

Location: Haus Sommer is located at Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt. The atelier with tatami and tea kitchen allows suspension on bamboo for 4 couples. The small group size creates an intimate frame to explore Shibari for single participants, couples, or for small groups of peers.

If you are new to bondage/shibari and interested in this class, please send a mail to the address below. The small group size allows the class material to be adapted to the experience level of new participants and regulars.

– Please bring comfortable (training) clothes and ropes if you have.
– Ideally you register with a partner. If you don‘t have a rope partner yet, there often are other solo participants to pair up with. There is also the possibility to watch the class or self-tie.
– Costs 30 Euro per person.

Mail: workshops(at)dasniyasommer(dot)de / Messenger: haussommer / Insta: Kinbaku Haus / WA: +49-174-393 70 49

Dates: 28.4.2025
Hours: 19-21.30h
Costs: 30 Euro per person (max. four couples)

Haus Sommer is located at Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt – Wedding Uferstrasse 8,13357 Berlin. Entrance B6
In case the door is locked please call the number above.
Map here

Photos: Eliko in ropes. Photographed by Werner Amann. Ropes: Dasniya Sommer.

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Tanzpraxis

The finest match: Naniek K. Dancing with Laurie Young. Finishing my research with a space and choreographic sketch in the most fortunate community. I found out about Naniek K. through the work Ratu created by Jee Chang for this years Tanztage Festival. They kindly introduced me to a truly royal and felt ur-berliner 81 year old lady and former Indonesian court dancer. She had more energy than all of us together in the room! ;)
Touching on basic ideas and making space for two rare generations in the spot light. Observing their universes of experience side by side, and a familiar proximity of Asian and Western European philosophies of movement was reconciling.
Laurie Young encountered Naniek K. with such grace and responding to her with an emotional clarity which resonated in a tangible time-relationship making me passionately wanting to continue!
In the background playing with rhythms of yellow.

More photos below by Fungi Fung.

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TOIL – Sheena McGrandles & Friends

Back to Uferstudios rehearsing ‚Toil‘ by Sheena McGrandle.
Save the premier: December 3, 2025 + 4 +5 + 6.12.2025

HAU2, Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin
Tickets  here
English here

“TOIL” untersucht den tanzenden Körper bei der Arbeit –  hin- und hergerissen zwischen Entfremdung und Begehren, Routine und Rebellion. Ausgehend von Ballett, irischem Folk und Punk entwerfen fünf Tänzer*innen in Begleitung von zwei Musiker*innen ein physisches Porträt des Tanzes als Ort von Arbeit und Sehnsucht zugleich.

“TOIL” ist eine choreografische Erkundung von Arbeit und ihrer emotionalen, historischen und körperlichen Dimensionen. Entstanden aus einer tiefen Hingabe an den Tanz mit all seinen Kämpfen und Freuden, reflektieren die Tänzer*innen Michelle Cheung, Eli Cohen, Martin Hansen, Mickey Mahar und Dasniya Sommer was bleibt, wenn Bewegung selbst zur Arbeit wird. Live begleitet von Marta Forsberg und Steve Heather, bewegt sich die eigens für “TOIL” komponierte Musik zwischen Elektro, Folk und Punk. In einem reduzierten Bühnenbild entsteht eine intensive Auseinandersetzung mit der eigenen Körperlichkeit, mit Rhythmus und Zusammenhalt. Ein ständiges Bemühen, den sich ständig veränderten Rhythmen der Zeit zu folgen.

Team

Konzept und Choreografie: Sheena McGrandles / Choreografie und Performance: Michelle Cheung, Eli Cohen, Martin Hansen, Mickey Mahar, Dasniya Sommer / Musikkomposition: Steve Heather, Marta Forsberg / Dramaturgie: Jette Büchsenschütz / Bühnenbild, Kostüme: Michiel Keuper / Kostümassistenz: Julianne Längin /Lichtdesign: Elliott Cennetoglu / Technische Leitung: Emese Csornai / Choreographic outside eye: Laurie Young and Louise Trueheart /Kreative Produktion: Saskia Schoenmaker / Produktionsassistenz: Cote Jaña / PR/Social Media: Agnė Auželytė

Image © Evan Loxton.

Research

Developing a visual sketch and potential collaborations in the frame work of the stipend Tanzpraxis:
with Naniek K. (81), Laurie Young (52), Dasniya Sommer (45) and Fungi Fung (32).
‘There is a big lack of spending time with older women.. ,’ Laurie said after these try outs, and I so agree. Most of my life I haven’t spent enough time with elderly people due to family constellations, project directions and seemingly unbridgeable cultural gaps. Both our Asian parents are/were not living in Europe, and during our dance try outs Naniek K. filled the room with this warm familiar vibe only elder Asian people do – which strongly reminded us to them. It’s a certain perspective and wisdom they own. Keeping the spirit and humour high, while often their non-linear live experience, living outside their culture for a long time, in western societies, co-resonate. She made us laugh pointing to the absurdest everyday live observations, laughing loudly always with dignity and a sense of humbleness. And also a very non German thing, maintaining hand contact while talking to us. Heart warming! Later she talked also about the downsides working in an every day job as migrant in Western Germany in the 80es. I so remember these stories.
If we were to develop a piece I am curious about finding choreographic translations for Laurie’s and Naniek K.‘s vast performative archive. Switching from directing to joining them as dancer can work after figuring out how their classical and contemporary dance forms relate. Or defining the role between them. Also I am curious how the musical concept we conceptualised for Fungi plays into it.
Even if beyond resources I find testing these small scale ideas as a first step essentially productive. The stipend was strongly supportive! It allowed me to chew and reflect over creative topics and intangible gut feelings for longer than usual. It gave time to find the right group and organise ideas. Thanks again to the choreographer Jee Chan who supported this collaboration.
There is an irony for me unfolding my dance practice with such wise dancers only now. But it makes sense.  Seems I had to first grow into the machinery and scene. I appreciate this reverse opportunity: going from intense body-/ performance art to creating a body friendly, long lasting, minimalist dance practice.

Photos: Fungi Fung.

With many thanks for the support to Senatskanzlei für Kultur und Medien Berlin / Tanzpraxis.

ZHdK – Arbeitsweisen

Starting the year with co-teaching at the Züricher Hochschule der Künste/Theater for the last few days. The students were so openly and curiously engaging in the performance/dance tasks which was more than inspiring for us in return.
Thanks to SKART for taking me on the boat and together digging for ideas and new creative insights!

Performance: Bellied

 

Few rehearsals and special concentration with Corey Scott-Gilbert / vaL for his new solo work Bellied during Art Week / PERFORM! 2025.

When: Sunday, September 14th at 3pm.
Where: Terrasse Neue Nationalgallerie

Music and sound design: Turkana
Dramaturgie: Dasniya Sommer
Costume: SADAK

Photos: Neue Nationalgallerie and fottomatti.

Studio Rental

From Oktober to December 2026 I am partially sharing my Studio at Uferhallen. It is a bright and calm space for physical training, shootings, meetings and research.
Two rooms 45m2, with dance floor or tatami, photo screens and tea kitchen. The space is great for concentrated writing projects, shibari tying/teaching, and shootings on white and green screen.

For more information contact: email(at)dasniyasommer(.)de