Hamlet at Xplore 2017

Freitag & Samstag 15.7.2017 um 20-21.30h beim Xplore Festival 2017
-> Alte Börse Marzahn

HAMLET, EINE GHOSTSTORY

Ein dramatisch getanztes Kinbakudrama mit Dasniya Sommer und Florian Loycke

Hamlet ist der Held der sich in ausweglosen Situationen immer wieder behaupten kann. Durch Spannungsverlagerung, durch Träumen, durch Variationen seiner psychischen Energie. Auch wenn die Restriktionen immer fieser werden und immer mehr nachgelegt, immer mehr Sinne zugedeckt werden, er findet die kleine Drehung, die Achse auf der er tanzen kann ohne sich selbst aufzugeben, oder indem er sich selber auf und hingibt.Wir wollen erzählen wie er um seine Geliebte Ophelia gekämpft hat und was im Schlafzimmer seiner Mutter geschah. Und wie sich ein Spiel um sein oder nicht sein entspinnt.
Vielleicht ist Hamlet ein Mädchen. Und Ophelia der Geist. Und die alten Freunde sagen die Wahrheit. Und die Stubenfliege kann sprechen. Und was zählt als Beweis für einen Mord oder für die Wirklichkeit? Aber auch: wer manipuliert wen, wer hängt in wessen Netz und kann es einen Sieger geben? Es ist die Geschichte, die passiert, wenn der Vorhang fällt.

Dauer ca 30-40 Minuten.
Produktion: Haus Sommer
Dank an: Theater Oldenburg, Ballhaus Ost

Premiere Bondage Duell

Last month giving birth to my heart project together with Silke Schönfleisch-Backofen.

BONDAGE DUELL ist eine Begegnung zwischen Lafayette und Grill 2, Potsdamer Platz und Pankstraße, zwischen Ballettsaal und Justizministerium. Man könnte denken, dass es gar kein Duell geben kann, bei diesen so verschiedenen Frauen . Aber dann hat jede ihre eigenen Waffen, mit denen sie gut agieren kann. Es gibt Elemente, die an Kampf , an Competition und an Wrestliing erinnern, es gibt Gewinnen und Verlieren. Aus der Not findet dieses Duell eine eigenartige Form, man muss von einander lernen um sich duellieren zu können. Man muss sich helfen, aufeinander eingehen.
Man muss quasi einswerden mit dem Gegner, das scheint fast zärtlich zu sein oder verliebt. Das Wahrnehmen des anderen, des Gegenübers ist auch das Duell. Beim Duell bleibt die Zeit wie stehen, sie dehnt sich, man hört den Wassertropfen fallen und das Flüstern der Seile. Manchmal gibt es einen Flashback, eine Erinnerung aus der Kindheit, ein intensiver Traum und dann ist man plötzlich zurück in der Manege.

Tanz: Silke Schönfleisch-Backofen
Tanz und Choreografie: Dasniya Sommer
Sound: Martyna Poznanska
Dank an die Techniker der Sophiensaele
Photos: Brian Morrow

May Performances & Workshops in Berlin, Bremen, & Lyon

Dear Friends, Bondagisti, Theateristi and Dancers,

a bunch of performances in Berlin, Bremen, and Lyon this month, plus Tuesday mornings Shibari Technique in Haus Sommer.

  1. Bondage Duell, with Silke Schönfleisch at Sophiensæle, May 18, 19, 21
  2. Nun on the Moon, at European Lab, Lyon, May 25
  3. Der besuch der verknallten Dame, with Das Helmi, at Theater Bremen, May 28
  4. Tuesday mornings Shibari Technique, in Uferhallen, Berlin-Wedding May 9, 23, 30
  5. Private & Group Lessons

Enjoy the arrival of spring’s sun!

Dasniya

1. Bondage Duell, with Silke Schönfleisch, at Sophiensæle

As part of the Every Body Festival in Berlin’s Sophiensæle, I am happy to première in Berlin Bondage Duellwith Silke Schönfleisch.

A 178cm tall ballerina and a 114cm small female government official on a tricycle appear on the scene. An uneven fight. The weapons: rope, muscular bodies and a thirst for adrenaline. Using classical dance means and Japanese bondage techniques, Bondage Duell examines physical and social patterns of bonding, empowerment and constraint. A place where cruelty and freedom, fun and curiosity lie closely together.

Dance: Silke Schönfleisch
Choreography & Dance: Dasniya Sommer,

Dates: Thursday 18th, Friday 19th May at 21:00; Sunday 21st May at 19:00
Location: Sophiensæale Kantine
Tickets: 13€ / 8€ (Online tickets)
Kombi-tickets: 18€ / 12€
More info: Sophiensæle

A production by haus sommer in coproduction with Grenzenlos Kultur Theaterfestival and SOPHIENSÆLE. Photo © Holger Rudolph

Dasniya Sommer, Silke Schönfleisch, “Bondage Duell”. At Sophiensæle Berlin
Dasniya Sommer, Silke Schönfleisch, “Bondage Duell”. At Sophiensæle Berlin

2. Nun on the Moon, at European Lab, Lyon

I will be speaker/performer at European Lab 2017 in Lyon in the Nuit Immersive, by Tracks and organised by Adami and European Lab.

Featuring the interactive contributions of a selection of unique and pioneering artists, the Nuit Immersive will be a night like no other. No seats or popcorn-holders, no stages or “fourth walls”, the Nuit Immersive will instead plunge you the public into the heart of the creative process and invite you to move around and explore this interactive performance as best you see fit. Advanced warning: here, the sign clearly states “PLEASE DO TOUCH”!

Date: Thursday, 25th May, starts at 21:30
Location: Les Subsistances • Le Hangar
Tickets: 8€ (Online tickets)
More info: European Lab

European Lab, Lyon — Nuit Immersive
European Lab, Lyon — Nuit Immersive

3. Der besuch der verknallten Dame, Das Helmi & Theater HORA at Theater Bremen

Once more with Das Helmi and Zürich’s Theater HORA, in Theater Bremen’s Festival Mittenmang.

Date: Sunday, May 28th, at 18:30
Location: Kleinen Haus, Theater Bremen
Tickets: 9€ – 20€ (Online tickets)
More info: Theater Bremen, Das Helmi, Theater HORA

4. Tuesday Mornings Shibari Technique in May

The workshop focusses on traditional Shibari technique, basic and intermediate level. Inspired by my teachers Osada Steve, Kamijoo Saki, Arisue Go, Tamandua Ropë. We start with the basics and security principles. Learning initial knots and floor work patterns with a partner. When these principles are set, we approach complex figures and suspension technique step by step.

Dates: Tuesdays, May 9th, 23rd, 30th, 2017 (No class on the 16th!)
Time: 10am-12pm
Level: Intermediate
Costs: 20 Euro per person
10 class card 160 €
@ Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt – Wedding. Uferstrasse 8, 13357 Berlin. Entrance B
More info: Shibari Technique Morning Classes

Please call when you are in the court yard, in case you don’t find it, or the door is locked: + 49 174 393 70 49.

5. Private & Group Lessons

Of course it’s always possible to arrange another time for private and group workshops, sessions, choreographing ropes for performances, and other long-planned or spontaneous ideas. Drop me a line!

Bamboo Shibari, Dasniya tying Florian
Bamboo Shibari, Dasniya tying Florian

“Bondage Duell” at Sophiensæle

As part of the Every Body Festival in Berlin’s Sophiensæle, I am happy to première Bondage Duellwith Silke Schönfleisch.

A 178cm tall ballerina and a 114cm small female government official on a tricycle appear on the scene. An uneven fight. The weapons: rope, muscular bodies and a thirst for adrenaline. Using classical dance means and Japanese bondage techniques, Bondage Duell examines physical and social patterns of bonding, empowerment and constraint. A place where cruelty and freedom, fun and curiosity lie closely together.

Dance: Silke Schönfleisch
Choreography & Dance: Dasniya Sommer

Dates: Thursday 18th, Friday 19th May at 21:00; Sunday 21st May at 19:00
Location: Sophiensæale Kantine
Tickets: 13€ / 8€ (Online tickets)
Kombi-tickets: 18€ / 12€
More info: Sophiensæle

A production by haus sommer in coproduction with Grenzenlos Kultur Theaterfestival and SOPHIENSÆLE. Photo © Holger Rudolph

Dasniya Sommer, Silke Schönfleisch, “Bondage Duell”. At Sophiensæle Berlin
Dasniya Sommer, Silke Schönfleisch, “Bondage Duell”. At Sophiensæle Berlin

Bondage Show

Grenzenlos Kultur festival mainz bondage show dasniya Sommer
Foto © Holger Rudolph

Grenzenlos Kulturfestival Mainz.

Not all performances start easy but still they can be fun! Arriving on Friday and rehearsing into to the night at the Glasshouse of the Staatstheater. What if the dancing bike unexpectedly doesn’t run across the dance floor?
What is wonderful condition for dancers, turned out to be a nightmare for our Silke. Sticking to the ground, rubber wheels on rubber floor, nobody there to help, except Burkhard on the phone with some precious Mac Gyver solution. Like always helping in the last moment. We found a compromise to reduce our frustration.

Our show was to be all about lightness and speedy movement, contrasted with calm bondage. Thats what Silke and I have been exploring for some month. Accompanied by Johannas sound and Florians live guitar.
Including scenes we ritually go through in rehearsals. It had all in it, tying my boy and Silke, and dancing ballet.

The café scene, cause there is much fascinating stuff Silke has to tell, especially when it comes to her experience and life as small states persecutor. But it is not only her size that make things different and challenge me to find bondage alternatives. There are other bodily conditions which on one hand are restrictions, but on the other hand give us unique choreographic possibilities. Like her powerful lower arms, or air bondage with only one suspension chord :)

It was the first time showing this material to the public. Still a bit fragile, but people appreciated the mediative process (some got nervous, but ok ;)
Overall I think it was a good step for us, and against all odds I much look forward to continue!

“Bondage Show”

bondage@Institut-sommer

Unseren nächsten Auftritt Bondage Show machen wir beim Festival Grenzenlos Kultur in Mainz.

Performance Impulse: Silke Backofen – Schönfleisch, Dasniya Sommer und Florian Loycke
24. September 2016, 14 Uhr
Staatstheater Mainz, Glashaus

Im Rahmen des Symposion Who Cares?
Kuratiert von Astrid Kaminski und Jeremy Wade

Der zukünftige Körper: ein hochfunktionales, interaktives System. Perfekt? Auf jeden Fall verwundbar. Denn je besser wir funktionieren (wollen), desto größer werden auch die gegenseitigen Abhängigkeiten.
Wie gestalten wir dieses Verhältnis? Menschen mit Behinderungen sowie generell Menschen mit hohem Hilfsbedarf stehen oft in einem komplizierten Abhängigkeitsverhältnis – zu Hilfsmitteln, Sozialleistungen, Assistenzen, Therapien, Vormündern. Mehr Info

Teaching Profi – Ballet in March

The next two upcoming Mondays I will substitute Profi – Ballet training at Center of Dance /Kulturbrauerei for Yuko Sato.

On March 14 & 21, 2016
Begin: 12 h – 12.30 h
Costs: 7 €

Schönhauser Allee 36,
Entrance: Knaackstrasse 97/ Sredzkistrasse 1, court yard of Kulturbrauerei
U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalderstraße

The class is inspired by American ballet technique and David Howards approach. Its economic principals to map the body for the ballet repertory. It is also based on my practice as classical dancer and yoga teacher.
We emphasise on breathing in motion, on complex yet organic coordination, and on movement sequences, which allow for musical precision, groove and joy.
The sensory and skeletal perception of movement play an important role, so that dancers connect to kinetic sensation rather than external shaping.
The class is accessible to both ballet but also more contemporary trained dancers.

Biography:
Over 25 years Dasniya has collected different styles and dance concepts. Her first trainings she received in Berlin and New York, at Ballett-Akademie Vogl, with the State Ballet Berlin and at Dance New Amsterdam. With Zwi Gotheiner, Janett Panetta, Jo Siska, Susan Klein, etc.
Since 2008 Dasniya choreographs and has since collaborated and tought in various projects.
A.o. with Helena Waldmann, Romeo Castellucci, Schubot/Gradinger, Damaged Goods, Das Helmi, Deutsche Oper Berlin and currently for Veit Sprenger (Showcase beat le Mot).

In Buddhism the dancer is a cup, containing the individual vibe and the milions of steps a body can do.

POLINA Semionova!

OMG, when it comes to ballet I am such a groupie! In the last two weeks went to see the Staatsballett Berlin twice. To see Polina Semionova dance Swan Lake and Giselle.  She is utterly stunning. Every step is carefully, thoughtfully placed, and her person seems to vanish into the character she dances. Her presence and oneness with the role, especially as ephemeral being or ‘Elementargeist’.
Sometimes I would like her to perform a little more edgy, as black swan or in Giselle’s mad scene. But maybe that comes with more time, and well, thats also a lack in ballet education!
The Swan Lake evening was a double highlight, it was also Beatrice Knop’s farewell, after being a ballerina with the company for a quarter century  — what an immense effort!
It was touching, she took of her point shoes during the applause, and left them at the edge of the stage, mountains of flowers for the queen mother, her role that night.

Usually I wouldn’t bother too much, but this brought up memories. After the show I had her biography autographed by her, and when it was my turn I congratulated saying:
‘Hi, do you remember, a long time ago I was a little apprentice in the Staatsballett and we shared a dressing room.’
‘She looked up saying ‘Yea, I very well remember your face, good luck!’. ‘For you too!’ It was nice moment and reconciling with the old times ;)