New Beginnings

 New Beginnings

title by Helen from Zoom sessions Dance and Art Connection

Relevant was our word for RE project with Make and Mends.

Growing on from our Passing On Passmore project and pod casts, we want to stay relevant but give light and hope. in my mind is the movement of peoples, migration and how we respond and how we can be good neighbours and a global community.

So i chose a lighter album than before for our spontaneous response performance. an album which celebrates improvisation - see last blog - and global artists meeting in the moment creating 'beauty,' finding a voice together. 

We have used 2 tracks in previous shows as i have known the album for some years. I was very excited when my brother and his wife after much searching worked with Alex Heffes for the music for their film, The Elephant Queen

https://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/11/01/the-elephant-queen-soundtrack-released/

so Shallal 2 are busy working on an opening performance 15-20 minutes and then Shallal Dance Theatre spontaneous response performance approx 50 minutes, unrehearsed unknown in the moment dance artists collaborating...love it!

Shallal Dance Theatre are excited for our next spontaneous response performance, along with a section by local Falmouth based Shallal 2.

Recent audience feedback includes "Shallal- Beautiful, truthful and very moving, this didn't feel like a 'labelled inclusive performance'

it was grace and expression on the deepest human level, almost spiritual. Totally absorbing."

Hope you can join us!

Tickets on the door, suggested price £5-10 or donation 

Accessible venue.

Wednesday 21 February 7pm

Princess Pavillions, 

Falmouth TR11 4AR

Shallal have pioneered an approach to dance theatre performance "spontaneous response,' derived from Open Improvisation, which aspires to access and equity at its heart by giving the decisions in the moment to the dance artists. It can create a warm rapport and relationship with the audience as well as with the other performers. Come along and enjoy this new and vital way of working. To an amazing soundtrack Face to Face https://www.face-to-face-album.com/

further information: joannawillis357@gmail.com

New year musings

 I have meant to do round up of last term, but that has passed i think, so, onto the new - Happy New Year 2024

Have just read Elizabeth's https://elizabethtomos.com/

"For me, tackling the ecological crisis is now the only thing that matters. It is everything. It is complex. It is political. It is tied up with every other form of social justice."

Everything has to be relevant! and then we have had storms rain flooding for it seems weeks and we think we need to also have cheer and hope to go forwards well, better

"Better Together"

Together for Change" - Tate title

and thinking of using Face to Face by Alex Heffes for our 'spontaneous response' performance, last time we used Landfall https://kronosquartet.org/recordings/detail/landfall/

Inspiration, improvisation, international collaboration in the moment meeting

'in that space on that day' spontaneous response performance

https://www.face-to-face-album.com/

What is Face To Face?

"For years people asked me many variations of one particular question: “Where does your inspiration as a composer come from?” This inspired me to make a record - one that was entirely improvised - nothing prepared in advance. I chose 6 inspiring collaborators to record in 6 inspiring locations. My task: to commit to whatever happened in that space on that day and make a piece of music. Face To Face is my answer to this question."

—Alex

Alex's album Face To Face is re-released today in a special  anniversary edition. The project features collaborations with Regina Spektor, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yasmin Levy, Tunde Jegede, Matthew Barley and Kawesa and was recorded on location in Kampala, Uganda, New York, London's Tate Modern Turbine Hall, Oxford and Abbey Road's historic studio 2. The 2022 Mix features stunning new spatial audio mixes and a new bonus track with Alex & Tunde Jegede "Helios Rising'. Never before available on streaming services you can hear it now on all platforms:

https://Platoon.lnk.to/face-to-face

For more info and photos of the stunning locations and sessions visit https://www.face-to-face-album.com/