08-12-2014, 04:27

Ladypool Speaks

Stories of Real Women from Birmingham's Ladypool Road

An Oral History Project



We have arrived at the final stage of our project Ladypool Speaks, following on from our heartfelt celebratory event at the Mac Birmingham! The evening was a fascinating array of poetry, visuals & evocative live music, inspired by the real stories of amazing women which left onlookers feeling touched by their strength and experiences.  Thank you for everyone who came along to support us at this event.
Ladypool speaks is primarily about women who live and work in Ladypool Road both past and present, recording and documenting their experiences and realties. 
A slice of history unfolds the changing shape of Ladypool Road through the eyes of local women over the past 50 years! 
Sonia Sabri Company conducted over 20 interviews, which opened a door to the stories of real women, illuminating their strength, power and achievements.
 
In Spring 2015 the interviews will be archived at The Library of Birmingham, thus creating a chunk of history that will never be forgotten, this archive will be made publically available to be used as a resource for the community. This fascinating archive will inform researchers or inspire future artists such as poets, authors or musicians.

We believe art has the power to change lives, using the tools of imagination we create a voice for the people, so everyone involved can stand a head taller in every day life! 

This project has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Library of Birmingham.

 Anonymous
 Comments

 18-09-2014, 04:14

Superb review of Ekalya at Endinburgh Mela!

 
  Sonia Sabri in ‘Ekalya’.
Photo © Simon Richardson

From the opening, Sabri seizes our attention with the sharp focus of her movement and her eyes. We see Shiva beating his drum with vigorous finger and wrist action and as the dance progresses the God alternates between fury and steely resolve. With dynamic motion, Sabri weaves gorgeous shapes, her hands mesmerising with their eloquence and suppleness....... Stuart Sweeny for Critical Dance
 
 To see the full review please click on the link below:

http://www.criticaldance.org/2014/09/15/sonia-sabri-excerpts-from-ekalya/

Don't miss our next performance of Ekalya at The Bharitya Vidya Bhavan, London on Saturday 11th October at 6.30pm. 

 To book please contact the venue direct:

 http://www.bhavan.net/events/event/211-ekalya

 Anonymous
 Comments

 12-09-2014, 04:39

EKALYA

The Bhavan Centre

London

Ekalya  

Saturday 11th October at 6.00pm 

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

4a Castletown Road

West Kensington 

London W14 9HE

www.bhavan.net

Ekalya celebrates Indian & Persian Artistry through a beautifully intimate crafting of dance and live music. Sonia Sabri, a leading light in the world of Indian Kathak dance, breathes new life into a classical art form.

Kathak is an exhilarating dance experience: an astounding display of precise footwork, eloquent gesture, rapid turns and intricate, heart-pounding rhythms.  Internationally acclaimed for her electric stage presence and distinctive personal style, Sonia revisits the roots of Kathak in a high-impact performance that embraces a rich, joyful spirit and builds to a heart-pounding rhythmic crescendo.

This stunning production features evocative live music from an ensemble of musicians including sitar, vocal, harmonium and tabla from the world-renowned maestro Sarvar Sabri.

A vibrant and uplifting performance from two of the most renowned performers in the UK, which will delight and wow audiences of all ages. Driven by live music, the dialogue between dancer and musician is dramatic, innovative and soul-stirring. 

PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE TO AVOID DISAPPOINMENT

 Anonymous
 Comments

 12-09-2014, 04:15

 

THANK YOU &

GOODBYE TO ELENA MASARIN

Sonia Sabri Company Trainee 

(European Training Placement)

 


A huge thank you to Elena Masarin for all her hard work over the last few months! The pleasure was ours! Elena joined us from Italy and worked on various film projects with the team, including research and development. We would like to wish her good luck with future aspriations and her forthcoming exams!!
 Anonymous
 Comments

 26-08-2014, 05:51

INTERVIEW

Sonia Sabri has recently been interviewed by Ashima Suri!
Click on the link below to find part one of her interview, where she speaks openly about her journey into Kathak.

http://fusia.ca/sonia-sabri-u-k-kathak-dancer-choreographer/

PART TWO IS COMING SOON ON FUSIA MAGAZINE ONLINE.
 Anonymous
 Comments

 08-07-2014, 02:48

ART COUNCIL SUPPORT

COMMENT FROM SONIA SABRI

“I’m absolutely delighted that Sonia Sabri Company has been awarded an uplift of funds from the Arts Council for a further three years from 2015,” says Artistic Director, Sonia Sabri.  “In the last few years we’ve been gradually building audiences both here and abroad and our education programme is poised to expand into new territories.  We’re very appreciative of the continuing support of the Arts Council which gives us the confidence to put into practise our plans to expand our education programme, to build our audience reach with touring existing repertory and new work and to extend our work with collaborators and other theatre and dance companies here in the UK.”
 Anonymous
 Comments

A WARM WELCOME

 25-06-2014, 05:14

Sonia Sabri Company Trainee 

(European Training Placement)

 


A very warm welcome to Elena Masarin. Elena joins us for three months from Italy and will be working on various projects with the team, including film projects, education work and our current HLF project. Here's to exciting & new ventures!
 Anonymous
 Comments

INTRODUCING MEL LEWIS

 10-06-2014, 08:36

NEW PROJECTS MANAGER 

FOR SONIA SABRI COMPANY



















A warm hello to you all.  I have recently taken over the exciting role of projects manager here at Sonia Sabri Company. I am thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to work with this amazing company, therefore I am eager to get my teeth into all the inspiring projects we have to offer.

I have worked in the arts for over 16 years, creating theatre, dance and arts projects for the community, as a practitioner and a producer.  I have always had a huge passion to create, therefore being involved with projects using large scale puppets, physical theatre, mask-work, dance and many more exciting other collaborative art forms!

I believe, with bounds of conviction, that the creative and imaginative side should be encouraged in all people young, old, and somewhere in between.  The arts can be fun, awe-inspiring and therapeutic!

I look foward to being involved in more innovative and inspirational projects and endeavour to spread our creativity far and wide.


 



 Anonymous
 Comments

Labyrinth, The Glasshouse, Stourbridge

 03-06-2014, 09:08

Kathakbox
Tuesday 22 May 2012 at 7.30pm
Solihull Arts Complex, Library Square, Touchwood, Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RG
Tickets: £10 (£9 concs), £7 children
Box Office: 0121 704 6962 or book online
Presented by Sampad

KBox_03_dance_v2for+web

With special curtain-raiser performances from Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, Alderbrook School, Solihull, and Dance Workshop Contemporary Youth Dance

“I felt like jumping up onstage to join them…full of vibrant energy…Kathakbox is at the same time uplifting and highly enjoyable.” (Londondance.com)

Kathakbox is the latest production from one of the UK’s most dynamic dance companies. Sonia Sabri Company celebrate the diverse energy of modern Britain through a brand new dance style: Urban Kathak.

Kathakbox brings together Indian Kathak dance’s grace and vigour and the rhythms & rhymes of Hip Hop culture.

Complex classical rhythms converse with beatbox and the verbal dexterity of Kathak rap (Kavitt) layers with urban poetry.

Kathakbox does not ‘box in’ these genres to a particular time or place, but discovers the raw spirit and heartbeat of each art form which reverberate between cultures.

Reflecting the diverse, intersecting rhythms of the human experience, Kathakbox encourages us to ‘think outside the box’.

This bold, heart-pounding production features Sonia Sabri performing alongside dancers Nathan Geering, Suzanne Grubham and Amayra Fuller, tabla maestro Sarvar Sabri, acclaimed spoken word artist & vocalist Marcina Arnold and beatboxer Shan Bansil.

 Anonymous
 Comments

Dance Masterclass with Sonia Sabri and Ash Mukherjee

 30-04-2014, 03:10


A unique opportunity to join Sonia and Ash in class!  

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Masterclass 1pm-6pm
The day will begin with both an intensive contemporary and Kathak technique class. These energetic and physically demanding classes will focus on Kathak and hybrid dance techniques in preparation for articulate and complex dance phrases.

Learn short extracts of repertoire from SSCo and Ash Dance Theatre’s touring productions. The masterclass provides a unique opportunity for dancers to learn about rhythmic layers and creating dance using uneven musical phrases.

The second part of the day will focus on choreography; hybrid methods of working, creativity, structured tasks, composition, responding and developing movement material. All participants will gain tools they can use both as artists and practitioners.

There will be time for Q&A and opportunities at the end of the day.

The masterclass is suitable for advanced contemporary and/or South Asian dancers, final year dance undergraduates and professional dancers.

SSCo would like to use the day to make contact with dancers in the region who are interested in training with or working with the company as a performer or practitioner.

To make an enquiry call 0121 622 3135

Cost £15, to book a place, call mac on 0121 446 3232.

Places are limited please book in advance.


 Unknown
 Comments

Welcome to Sophie Denly!

 29-04-2014, 09:24


Sonia Sabri Company Placement Sophie Denly (European Training Placement). Sophie joins us for three months from Paris and will be working on education and participation projects with the team. A HUGE welcome Sophie!









































 Unknown
 Comments

Sonia Sabri Company at British Dance Edition 2014

 26-03-2014, 08:55


Sonia Sabri was selected to perform as part of BDE 2014 in Edinburgh. The British Dance Edition showcases the very best of British Dance to a national and internal delegation. Sonia won the support of many and put pure Kathak back on the stage for world class dance in the UK.  

Here's a short interview with Sonia Sabri at BDE

vimeo.com/86040116



 Unknown
 Comments

KATHAKAARS on a roll

 24-03-2014, 08:30

Congratulations to SSCo's youth dancers Kathakaars who have been selected to perform as part of the biggest youth dance platform in the country. 

The Kathaakars will be one of the first South Asian Dance youth groups to perform as part of the festival. U DANCE Festival will take place 19-21 July 2014. Watch this space for more details.  http://www.u-dance.org/main.cfm?type=2014INFO

Kathaakaars have established a reputation for performing with vigour and grace, the young dancers taught by Sonia Sabri blew audiences away with their recent performance at Asian Spring (organised by Sampad) receiving a standing ovation! 

Don't forget you can learn Kathak at all levels with SSCo at the Birmingham mac and Baithak. 
For more information contact info@ssco.org.uk 






 Unknown
 Comments

 04-02-2014, 02:37





Manasmitra's Rudra (rage) choreographed by Sonia Sabri with music composed by Sri Surinam is now touring. Watch the trailer.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGYKE-aaJ_E&feature=youtu.be

Tour Dates

Venue
Date
Time
Lincoln Performing Arts Centre
University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS
01522 882 000; http://lpac.co.uk/ 
Thu 20 Mar
7.30pm
Helmsley Arts Centre
The Old Meeting House, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5DW
01439 771 700; http://www.helmsleyarts.co.uk/
Sat 5 Apr
7.30pm
Lawrence Batley Theatre
Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield HD1 2SP
01484 430 528; http://www.thelbt.org/
Thu 10 Apr
7.30pm
Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre
Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA
0113 220 8008; http://theatreleeds.com/d/ 
Sun 13 Apr
7.30pm


For more information see http://www.manasamitra.com/index


 Unknown
 Comments

AKAAR supporting emerging talent!

 27-01-2014, 08:33

Sonia Sabri Company is inviting Birmingham based dance and music groups to take part in a new showcase event, Akaar at mac (Midland Arts Centre) on Sunday 9th March 2014 at 5pm.

Akaar 2014 is a special performance event that aims to celebrate emerging talent and support the interest and breadth of South Asian Arts being created across Birmingham. Both individuals and groups are invited to present their own work in a professional setting; the prestigious and newly refurbished, main theatre at mac.

With the support of others, SSCo hopes to build on the event’s success and establish an annual regional platform for aspirational performers.
Akaar is open to dancers and musicians aged 11yrs+ and as an intergenerational showcase, we hope to include in the programme a range of work. So whether you love to perform classical, folk, Bharathanatyam, Bollywood, Kathak, or even attempting to break new ground with fusion or experimental South Asian dance and music, we would like to hear from you.
Akaar aims
SSCo would like to extend the invitation to performers across Birmingham. The event aims to provide opportunities for performers to:
Ÿ Showcase thier work
Ÿ Meet other performers
Ÿ See a range of both dance and music work
Ÿ Encourage and inspire performers to create and perform live
Ÿ Nurture new talent 
Criteria
Akaar is open to:
Ÿ Individuals and groups based in Birmingham working in either dance or music or combining both art forms
Ÿ You must be 11yrs+
Ÿ Performers from any background can apply to take part i.e. school, youth, community or cross generational etc.
Ÿ Performers must be committed to taking part in in a technical rehearsal at mac on the day  
To take part
Contact SSCo on 0121 622 3135 or request the simple application form by emailing juliet@ssco.org.uk or info@ssco.org.uk                 
Deadline: Monday 26th February 2014
Baithak House, 202b, Moseley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0RT UK

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