Immersive Summer Workshop 2020 (August 2-14)
In spite of the actual health crisis, and as announced in our previous post, we took the decision to maintain the August part of our 10th Summer Workshop, so that we can all step by step resume our social and harmonic lives. We will take some time together to clarify the way the workshop and the living together are working, and we well take the necessary precautions to ensure that everyone feels safe and relaxed.
LAVAUZELLE IMMERSIVE SUMMER WORKSHOP – 10th edition!
August 2-14 2020
Lavauzelle, 23250 Janaillat, France
PRESENTATION
The workshops, labs and residencies, that have been held in Lavauzelle for the past 10 years are aimed at people interested in performative practices: theatre, singing, dance, circus, martial arts, ritual arts… They aim to, on the one hand, feed and broaden the individual stage experience, as well as, on the other hand, offer a space and time dedicated to working on oneself and to a collective experience.
The 2020 program combines actor training (work on physical, vocal and creative abilities) with the use of orally transmitted practices, whether they come from traditional world (kalaripayatt, traditional polyphony, singing and dancing from Occitania) or from more contemporary techniques transmitted from person to person (the theatrical and vocal approach of Zygmunt Molik/Jorge Parente, Moshe Feldenkrais’ somatic approach).
In this landscape, we are seeking to balance transmission and creation, “exotic” fields and closer resources, memory and creation.
The workshop lasts 13 days and includes 6 distinct sessions.
DETAILED PROGRAM
August 2-7 : Theatrical/vocal workshop “Body and voice” with Jorge Parente and Zoé Ogeret (in accordance with Zygmunt Molik’s pratice – actor of J. Grotowski’s Teatr Laboratorium)
The technique of Zygmunt Molik (who designated Jorge Parente as the continuator of his practice) is based on a “Body Alphabet”, in which each letter is structured to serve the voice, on precise physical actions, mobilizing the whole being and inviting everyone to explore and discover his/her own voice. Each voice, then, releases a richer and more subtle creative energy. Using these principles, participants will then work on personal materials, songs or texts, improvisations and collective structures. Jorge Parente and Zoé Ogeret have followed Zygmunt Molik’s teaching for over 20 years.
August 7 (6 pm): public sharing of the work done during the workshop and festive evening
August 8-11: Indian martial art Kalaripayatt with Sankar Lal S. Nair and Justyna Rodzinska-Nair (Studio Kalari, Wroclaw, PL) + traditional occitan singing with Clément Gauthier (La Nòvia, Polifonic System, Tornamaï / Cévennes) – Beware : the singing session will end on the 10th, with a singing barter’s evening.
Kalaripayatt is an ancient martial art from South India that trains warriors, doctors and artists. It is a dynamic, very complete system for body, energy and mind. Sankar Lal S. Nair, born in this technique, has been teaching Kalari for more than 15 years in India, Poland and all over Europe. He is also an Ayurvedic massager and healer. Justyna Rodzinska-Nair has been initiated into Kalaripayatt for 15 years, she has studied and written about this martial art, which she also teaches. In 2020, she creates an online training with the Studio Kalari which contributes to spread this teaching in the world.
Clément Gauthier is a self-taught singer and musician living in the Cévennes region. His work is built from the traditional music of the balèti, as well as the universe of experimental music, influenced for example by American minimalists.
August 10 (6 pm): singing barter evening
August 11: Kalaripayatt workshop and meeting about martial art and ayurvedic practices.
August 12-14: Traditional polyphonic singing workshop with the singers and actors Barbara Majnarić (Ojkanje / Balkan songs from Croatia and surroundings), and Jean-François Favreau (Mediterranean, Slavic and Caucasian repertoires) + physical preparation/Feldenkrais practice with Nikos Dalton-Appelquist and Betzabel Falfan
Ojkanje is a two-voice, untempered polyphony sung in the Dalmatian hinterland, which has recently been recognized by UNESCO. Barbara Majnarić is researching this tradition and is also exploring other Balkan practices, including with Svetlana Spajić.
The work of Jean-François Favreau is based on numerous encounters in villages in the Mediterranean and Slavic world, on sacred and secular repertoires. It relies on the physicality of sound to find one’s way and establishes a new relationship with one another. Jean has travelled to meet singing groups and brotherhoods, participated in and directed musical theatre projects for 15 years, notably at the Grotowski Institute in Wroclaw, Poland, where he trained and worked until 2012.
The somatic technique developed by Moshe Feldenkrais aims at self-education, based on a reconsideration of everyday movements in order to find other paths. Soft, it is particularly suitable for the preparation for singing. Nikos Dalton-Appelquist and Betzabel Falfan are young practitioners trained at the school of Aurillac (Feldenkrais Cantal).
The entire workshop is an immersive experience (including the everyday life sharing dimension) which will be punctuated by moments of meeting, relaxation, partying, or walking…
We propose moments dedicated to discussions with the various workshop leaders about their approaches, as well as about the project of the Site de pratiques théâtrales Lavauzelle.
All the sessions form a balanced and coherent whole. However, it is possible to participate on a case-by-case basis (please contact us).
The daily working time is 8 hours on average. The rest of the day will be dedicated to rest, to common tasks (cooking, taking care of the place on a rota basis…), and to moments of meeting and talking.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
FEES*
Full immersive workshop (13 days): 650 euros/RF 585 euros
Body and voice workshop only: 360 euros/RF 300 euros
Kalaripayatt + Occitan singing session only: 220 euros/RF 180 euros
Polyphonies+ Feldenkrais session only: 150 euros/RF 120 euros
*The reduced fee (RF) applies to jobseekers and students. If any doubt, please contact us.
ACCOMMODATION and CATERING**
Accommodation in gites nearby: 13 euros/night
Meals: 12 euros/day (fresh products of local origin, mostly vegetarian)
**For any question regarding accommodation, special diet, etc., please contact us in advance.
JOURNEY TO LAVAUZELLE
It is advisable to arrive in the afternoon/evening the day before the workshop starts, and to leave the day after the workshop ends (i.e. 14 nights on site).
We recommend carpooling and we will put in touch people who may be able and willing to carpool.
We can organize shuttles (free of charge) to pick up and drop off participants at the Guéret or La Souterraine train stations, as long as arrivals are coordinated.
By car : please have a look at http://lavauzelle.org/en/venir-a-lavauzelle/
REGISTRATION
Please let us know of your interest by email or telephone, indicating clearly what is your background and the reason why you are interested in taking part. You may add anything that you believe we should know about you.
In agreement with the leaders of the workshop, we will make a selection during the month of June. At the end of the month, if your participation is confirmed, you will be asked to pay a deposit (half of the fee + half of the accommodation costs), in order to book your place.
Should a force majeure event happen (related to the current health crisis) that would force us to cancel the workshop, we would reimburse the prepaid deposit. In case of an individual cancellation, the prepaid deposit would remain due.
SUPPORT
This programme, run by the association SPT Lavauzelle, benefits from the support of the Communauté de communes Creuse Sud-Ouest and the Centre régional des musiques traditionnelles du Limousin (regional center of traditional music in Limousin area).
The association is supported by the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles de Nouvelle-Aquitaine (regional section of the French ministry of culture) and the local council of Janaillat.
SPT Lavauzelle, 1 La Vauzelle 23250 Janaillat / spt@lavauzelle.org / +33 555 54 91 50