dasniya sommer « Shibari, Ballet, Performance, Yoga. Berlin.

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.

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 on the dance floor. 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.

Impulse Festival

Great news: ‚Toil‘ by Sheena McGrandles and Friends is invited to Impulse Festival this year!
When: June 3 + 4, 2026.

Plus two shows at Mousonturm:
When: June 13 + 14, 2026.

Fury – Kampnagel

SKART & MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

Premiere: 20. Mai 2026 + 21, 22, 23.5.2026.

Streitende Menschen sind uneinsichtig, irrational, nervig und nicht selten empathielos. Streit vom Zaun zu brechen bietet aber auch die Möglichkeit zur Selbstermächtigung. Wie also umgehen mit Zank und Zorn? Mit FURY untersucht das altersgemischte Hamburger Performancekollektiv SKART & Masters of the Universe das körperlich-konstruktive Potential des Tabuthemas Streit. Erneut in kongenialer Zusammenarbeit mit Mitgliedern des inklusiven Ensembles Meine Damen und Herren, und gemeinsam mit Schüler*innen der Stadtteilschule Eidelstedt, Bewohner*innen des Altenheims Epiphanienhaus Winterhude, Gob Squad’s Sarah Thom und dem Hamburger Performance-Multitool Günter Reznicek begegnen sie sozialen und generationenübergreifenden Auseinandersetzungen auf sinnliche Weise und übertragen gesellschaftliche Spannungen und psychische Ausnahmezustände in irrwitzige Rituale und spielerische Performancemomente. Ohne die Wut zu unterdrücken, wird so lange theatral intensiviert, bildstark hinterfragt und hemmungslos aneinander gerieben, bis große zwischenmenschliche Wärme niemanden mehr kalt lässt.

Mit: SKART & Masters of the Universe

Von und mit SKART & Masters of the Universe, Björn Auftrag, Malin Burgau, Christoph Grothaus, Charlotte Heidenreich, Friederike Jaglitz, Deniz Khan, Lone Lausen, Isabella Lüthe, Maja Maciak, Tintin Patrone, Janne Plutat, Günter Reznicek, Lars Rubarth, Daniel Tietjen, Sarah Thom, Minu Schilling, Mark Schröppel, Sina Schröppel, Dasniya Sommer, Lina, Strothmann, Henrik Weber, Matthias Zalachowski.

Coming up: TREMBLE at Lenbachhaus

By Liz Rosenfeld.

When:
Sat, July 18, 2026, 7pm–10pm

Duration:
approx. 3 hours

Flutter. Shutter. Quiver. Throb. Vibrations oscillate between all the holes and all the folds. Exposed under full house lights, a lone body trembles with the architecture of an empty darkroom. The video component of this work was shot during the COVID-19 lockdown, in the shutdown darkroom of one of Berlin’s oldest gay cruising bars. Through tableaus of nuanced movement, the artist’s body proposes an ambiguous future towards abundance and desire. Skin and flesh palpitate with unknown anticipation against porous materials soaked with stale fluids, ghostly utterances, and queer potentials. This is not a memorial to what was once possible, but rather, a proposal to what this space can still become. Always an infinite hole. Always a threshold. The vibrant material of fat and flesh rock in service to ecologies and bodies not yet known.
Tremble is an immersive three hour performance, where audiences are invited to roam, cruise around, come in and out, and tremble along with us if they are moved to do so.

Created by Liz Rosenfeld.
Performed by Ronald Berger, Pêdra Costa, Cassie Augusta Jørgensen, Samir Kennedy, Leah Marojevic, Liz Rosenfeld and Dasniya Sommer.

More information here

Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau München
Luisenstraße 33
80333 Munich

Photo: Jeff Busby.

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 newbies to learn Shibari in a small group environment.
We begin intuitively with the basics by following individual impulses to place and guide ropes around your partner. When safety principles like body handling, rope management and friction get fluid, we move to systematic rope patterns. Verbalising desire, sensing the breath, or experimenting different qualities of touch are continuous communication tools during the practice.
Technically the class 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.

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

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 a warm familiar vibe only elder Asian people do – which reminded us to them. It’s a certain perspective and wisdom they own. Keeping spirit and humour high, while often their non-linear live experience, living outside their culture for a long time, in western societies, resonate. She made us giggle pointing to the absurdest everyday live observations, laughing loudly always with dignity and a sense of humbleness. Also very non German, maintaining hand contact while talking to us, heart warming! Later she also told me some shadow sides about having an every day job in Western Germany in the 80es. I do remember these family stories of alienation.
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 could work after figuring out how their classical and contemporary dance forms relate and defining a position in this triangle. 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 performance 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!