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DANCE TO THE MUSIC

A dance workshop for blind, visually impaired and sighted persons

15.06.2025

13:30 - 16:30

Ballett am Rhein (Probenhaus)

 Düsseldorf

Please direct your questions and book your spot under the following phone number 0151 677 48231 or by e-mail : kharaba.team@gmail.com

Dance is usually understood  as a visual art form that is transmitted and practiced through sight. This workshop offers to approach dance as a sensory and physical experience; as a form of communication, story telling and expression. Interested blind and visually impaired people are offered to get to know dance in the form of creativity, freedom of movement and narrative, through descriptions, tactile interactions and auditory impulses.

 

The focus of the workshop is on exploring dance and personal movement languages in relation to musicality. The name of the workshop is based on the song title ’‘Dance to the music!’ by the music group ‘Sly & The Family Stone’ from 1968. But what does it mean to dance to the music? How can musicality be expressed? By following the beat, the rhythms, the lyrics, the melodies? Is it about matching the texture, vibe and atmosphere of a piece of music? All of that and much more will be explored as we seek to question, develop, enhance, and enjoy the musicality in our dancing. Using various tools rooted in improvisational tasks as well as set material, we deconstruct and practice musicality and rhythmicality as a means to deepen our listening, sharpen our intuition and to enrich the expressiveness and playfulness of our dancing. If you too are a music lover, who gets that special kind of joy and fulfillment from exploring movement through music (and vice versa) - this one’s for you. And if you’re not (but might want to become one), this one’s for you too. 

 

The workshop leaders are Khadidiatou Bangoura, who is a sighted professional dancer and Sabine Kuxdorf, who is a blind amateur dancer and social worker. The workshop is based on and influenced by their collaboration, which began in 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded and supported by Blinde & Kunst e.v 

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When who belongs to a community is externally determined based on specific identity characteristics, societal rifts emerge that stand in the way of peaceful coexistence and solidarity. In "SOUL STORM," Khadidiatou Bangoura of KHARABA & GUESTS dances to songs in German; to question our prejudices, our notions of "Germanness," and our relationship to Germany. From Hildegard Knef, Vicky Leandros, or Fasia Jansen over to Joy Denalane, Samy Deluxe, Grenzkontrolle, or Ebow - "SOUL STORM" presents a selection from the German music catalog asking: who and what is considered German by whom and why?


Expectations and assumptions are examined, inviting reflection on why "Germanness" is denied to certain people - and not to others. At the same time, possibilities for "reclaiming"  German identity and making room for new iterations of it are explored to foster greater recognition and acceptance of diverse ways of being and different lived realities. In the context of a noticeable political shift towards a right-wing and racist climate, (German) citizens of migrant origin are increasingly considering leaving Germany. Through dance, "SOUL STORM" assesses society’s current mental and emotional well-being and asks:  in what state is Germany's soul?

Concept & Choreography: Khadidiatou Bangoura

 

Dance / Performance: Khadidiatou Bangoura

 

Sounddesign: Zen Jefferson

 

Costume: Douakro Kante

 

Lighting & Tech: Sascha Görg

 

Artistic Consultant / Dramaturgy:         

Horacio Macuacua

Production Assistance:

Lisa Hellmich 

Graphic Design Press Photo: Melina Koulia

A production by KHARABA & GUESTS in co-production with TanzFaktur. Funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia through the NRW Diversity Fund. Funded by the Culture Office of the City of Cologne

 

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