Elixir Festival 2024 Workshops, Films and Artist Talks
11 – 20 April
The Elixir Festival features workshops and talks for older professional and non-professional dancers that connect to this year’s festival core idea – Rethink perceptions around dance and age.
What dance styles are the workshops and what are the Artist Talks?
This year, we invite six choreographers to lead six different masterclasses, introducing their dance styles and techniques. In addition, two choreographers join us to share their artistic vision and the process of making their projects.
Germaine Acogny, the mother of contemporary African dance, will lead you into the world of modern African dance with her own Acogny Technique. With Susan Kempster, you can explore finding true pleasure in connecting with your dance partners. Charlotta Öfverholm’s Age on Stage workshop is for anyone over 65 years old, working with her unique movement technique that defies age. Finally Julene Robinson leads a fascinating workshop exploring the evolution of Jamaican dance forms and exploring Jamaican folk movements.
You could also try swing dance with Swing Patrol, or if you are looking for something that’s for you and your youngsters, Company of Elders x ZooNation Youth Company will be hosting a brand new intergenerational hip-hop dance theatre workshop that is really inspirational.
Two Artist Talks will take place at Sadler’s Wells Dorfman Room during this year’s festival. Christopher Matthews will be sharing his artistic ideas in his latest work, Act 3, the final instalment of a trilogy. The Mehek Live Symposium, led by Aakash Odedra Company will be sharing their journey and findings on working collaboratively with the community.
Elixir Cinema Club, presented by Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, is hosting a new dance film showcase as part of the festival. Join us for a live screening, where these exceptional films come to life.
Workshops, Cinema Club, and Artist Talks welcome everyone from all backgrounds, no dance experience is needed. Booking required.
Header image © Ellie Kurttz
Workshops
Acogny Technique - Modern African Dance Workshop with Germaine Acogny
Thursday 11 April, 10:30 – 12:00
Sadler’s Wells Studio C
£7.00
“The freedom of the body through the discipline of Germaine Acogny’s modern African dance technique.”
Classes involve a dynamic warm-up, exploration of technique movements (standing and floor barre) and combining movements into dance sequences.
The importance of musical collaboration is highlighted, emphasizing intuitive movement and the musician’s role in guiding dancers.
This is a rare chance to participate in a workshop with one of the pioneers of contemporary African dance.
Age on Stage with Charlotta Öfverholm
Thursday 11 April, 12:30 – 14:00
Sadler’s Wells Studio C
£7.00
Dance as an artform should be available to everyone!
Charlotta Öfverholm offers Age on Stage workshops for anyone over 65 years old. The workshop requires no prior dance experiences. The workshop is about exploring movements in our own body and how we can express ourselves through it.
Improvised partnering with Susan Kempster
Thursday 11 April, 14:30 – 16:00
Sadler’s Wells Studio C
£7.00
The workshop will be based on one of the main methods of devising her duet piece, Mother. Susan Kempster will introduce her signature way of working, with dancers interlinked, finding true pleasure and joy in allowing oneself to relinquish the need to control the situation and enjoy the journey it takes you on. This is a system of contemporary partnering, where two or more people dance together in a way that is connected.
The session will be mostly improvisational, and participants will be working with physical contact.
Company of Elders x ZooNation Youth
Thursday 18 April, 10:30 – 12:00
Sadler’s Wells Studio C
£7.00
Come and take part in a workshop based on The Exchange the brand new intergenerational hip-hop dance theatre piece created by Company of Elders and the Zoonation Youth Company. Like the show itself, this workshop will be for dancers from all generations (10-65+). Led by ZooNation Youth Company’s Artistic Director Chaldon Williams.
The Evolution of Jamaican Dance form by Julene Robinson
Thursday 18 April, 12:30 – 14:00
Sadler’s Wells Studio C
£7.00
You will explore old Jamaican folk movement forms such as Kumina, Dinki Mini, Ska etc and how those movements were impacted by the culture and music, to become what it is today with the artist, Julene Robinson.
Introduction to Swing Dancing with Swing Patrol
Thursday 18 April, 14:30 – 16:00
Sadler’s Wells Studio C
£7.00
Join the Swing Patrol team for some lessons and Swing dancing fun! Swing dancing has its roots in African American and Black culture, as does the jazz music we love. Swing Patrol host workshops, lessons and social events across London celebrating this ever popular dance style.
Talks
Christopher Matthews
Thursday 11 April, 11:00 – 12:30
Sadler’s Wells Dorfman Room
Free, booking required
Choreographer, performer and visual artist Christopher Matthews discusses his new work Act 3 with choreographer and academic Nicola Conibere.
Act 3 is the final instalment in a trilogy of works by Christopher Matthews, which considers queer masculinity in dance, desire, body image and working-class dance histories. Continuing his studies of intimacy between two figures, Act 3 is an exploration of queer desire in later life.
With partnership support from Independent Dance.
Mehek Live: From Stories to Stage
Friday 12 April, 13:30
Sadler’s Wells Dorfman Room
Free, booking required
The Mehek Live Symposium is a way for the artists to share the learnings and experiences garnered throughout this deeply collaborative journey and an opportunity to showcase other examples of artistic excellence that embody the power of community collaboration in creating art that speaks to the heart.
This 90-minute symposium will involve:
1. Discussions on the process of integrating community voices into professional art-making.
2. Showcases of similar projects that successfully blend artistic vision with community collaboration.
3. Interactive sessions with artists, community members, and thought leaders in the field.
4. Strategies for creating art that resonates across generations and strengthens community bonds.
Elixir Festival 2024 Celebrating Local Communities
At Sadler’s Wells, we celebrate dance that takes place within our local communities.
Elixir Festival Cinema Club
Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage presents the Elixir Festival Cinema Club, a showcase of films by internationally acclaimed artists revealing the timeless beauty of movement and music. Featuring global talents Louise Lecavalier, Aditi Mangaldas, Charlotta Öfverholm, Germaine Acogny, Malou Airaudo, Paco Peña and more, join us for a live screening, where these exceptional films come to life.
This event is free of charge and takes place in the Fox Garden Court Café at Sadler’s Wells.
Booking required.
Duration: 50 minutes.
Location: Fox Garden Court Café at Sadler’s Wells.
| Friday 12 April | 6:45pm | Get free tickets |
| Friday 19 April | 3:30pm | Get free tickets |
| Friday 19 April | 6:15pm | Get free tickets |