Ania sharing her work in progress at Trinity (photo @ Alastair Brookes)

A few thoughts about sharing Guayabo at SPILL Festival of performance 2018

"I just didn’t know how it would go until I had this experience"

Ania Varez is one of four Bristol based artists who are developing exciting new work in collaboration with communities at Trinity over six months as part of our IGNiTE theatre and dance programme.

During her residency Ania is developing ‘Guayabo’ a participatory work that invites people to gather around their pain and the pain of others and is heavily influenced by Ania’s move from Venezuela to leave her country’s violent dictatorship. The crisis is rarely mentioned in mainstream media and Ania has been using her art to share her and her family’s experiences with others.

Ania recently took ‘Guaybo’ to Spill Festival, an international festival of contemporary arts and activism in Ipswich. We asked her to tell us the four things she learnt while she was there.

Maybe not all works are meant for art festivals (or maybe they need a bit more help)

Guayabo is a very challenging piece to share for different reasons. Mostly, because it requires placing myself in a very vulnerable state, my family is also exposed through the videos and texts I read, and the topic is extremely painful and difficult on its own.

I was concerned that those who came to experience the work might not have the capacity to offer the mental and emotional investment this piece requires due to the festival environment which is overwhelming with people quickly moving from one performance to another. I also felt the audience needed more time to process the difficult information that Guayabo conveys, whilst in a safe environment, before leaving the room and returning to a conventional social mode.

Towards the end of the work, I invite people to stay in the room for as long as they need and to chat with me if they wish, but since people had to rush to another show, most of them could not have that time, which felt important in terms of caring for themselves and for me. To know this for future sharings is really positive!

I will think about what needs to change inside the work to ensure people receive the care they need. However, the context is also important. I’m sure SPILL would have made a bigger effort to ensure these things happened if I had spoken about them beforehand, but I just didn’t know how it would go until I had this experience. Maybe arts festivals are not the right context for Guayabo, or maybe it just needs some programming adjustments (have more time altogether, organising a meal to share right after, for example) would really help to overcome these difficulties.

Guayabo connects people in the UK with Ania's family in Venezuela

It’s nicer to meet people outside of performance settings

Whilst being at SPILL I slightly regretted not having the time to see other works and meet many people. Sharing this piece took all of my time and energy and I didn’t have the space to experience much more. In hindsight, I notice that I naturally felt more inclined to encounter people outside of the performance settings (at breakfast, or in the artists green room) in a more relaxed and meaningful way, and most of the time we didn’t even talk about our work which I enjoyed much more.

Before arriving to SPILL, I was quite worried that everyone around me would be trying to constantly pitch their work at each other, but I was glad to discover that most people seemed to agree that having a good time and laughing together was more important.

Self care and support kept everything together

I had severe technical difficulties during my first show and right until the beginning of my second show. This uncertainty added pressure to sharing such personal work, which massively compromised my mental health during the performance days.

Having my producer, Katherine Hall, with me during the first two days really kept me safe and capable of getting through the difficulties, as she took care of many things and allowed me to concentrate on the work. Sadly, she could not stay for the last two days and that would have really affected me if it wasn’t for Shabnam Shabazi (the Wellbeing Liaison of the festival) and Manon Santi (part of the SPILL team) who were there to support me. They gave such gentle and caring attention to me and to the work: this meant I could present the work without having a breakdown or feeling like I was delivering it on my own.

It’s not the end of the line

SPILL felt like an incredible opportunity for me as an artist and a person. It’s the biggest platform I have ever shared work on. But I didn’t want it to feel like the ultimate platform, or the culmination of this long process. I wanted it to feel like another island I stumble upon in the middle of this long trip. A place to pass by, gather things that felt valuable, meet great people and then continue on the journey. Almost one month after the festival, I see this opportunity has brought a few open doors, some new friends and a lot of learning. I enjoy holding on to this feeling of continuation, this long process that exists independently of the platforms that I visit, but continues to be nourished by them. I am looking forward to continuing my research at Trinity Centre next year.

Read more about our IGNiTE programme and artist in residence just here.

Also, Bristol’s own (though he renounced his Bristolian roots earlier this year), Charlie Sterling will make an appearance, along with the always captivating Millie McKenzie, adding even more excitement to this spine-chilling, festive night of wrestling.

Expect an adrenaline-fuelled spectacle as SWW brings together a line-up of top-tier wrestlers, each vying for glory and supremacy in the ring. From bone-crushing power slams to awe-inspiring acrobatics, every match guarantees heart-pounding action and intense rivalries. With Trinity as the backdrop, fans can anticipate an immersive experience filled with roaring crowds, dramatic showdowns, and unforgettable moments.

Schedule:
Doors - 5pm
First Bell - 6pm 
End Time - 10:30pm

More information to come...

Summon the ancestors with Alice Human; spot a rabbit in the headlights with Ale Marzotto; challenge your audience etiquette with Bella Fortune and relish in an angry outburst as Hannah
Sullivan explodes Jo Hellier completes the bill with her flood inspired sound installation.

Thursday 19th:

Rabbit
Performance by Alessandro Marzotto Levy

Fear and the unknown can be paralysing. Can we let such fears escape our minds and bodies?

Rabbit revolves around the several lies that we create in order to protect ourselves.

Is it possible to take risks in life without becoming paralysed by the fear of being judged by others, but firstly by ourselves.

With Force and Noise
Performance by Hannah Sullivan

When was the last time you got angry?

With Force and Noise is Hannah’s first attempt at articulating anger. It is an experiment in costume and words: autobiography and fiction, blurred bodies and unsung bells. It starts with the colour red.

Friday 20th:

Bubbletiquette
Performance by Bella Fortune

Bubbletiquette is an autobiographically driven show that examines acts of fidgeting and social etiquette. Fidgeting as a form of communication can be tricky to translate. Are we enforcing focus or driving ourselves to distraction? what, if anything, are our bodies trying to say and should we be paying more attention?

Tea with your ancestors
Performance by Alice Human

A poetic and surreal sonic performance dedicated to our ancestors.

Alice explores the interaction between the live and the recorded, the present and the past, being born and dying. To understand how we can capture the qualities of what was, and what does spirituality mean for us now?

Thursday 19th & Friday 20th:

Flood Plans
Installation by Jo Hellier

When rivers join together their streams combine to make something stronger. That, or they burst their banks, flood and destroy.

This installation is the second incarnation of Flood Plans; the first took the form of a performance that premiered at IBT15. Through the creation of this installation Jo hopes to further explore, through sound and video, research that she implemented in collaboration with musician Yas Clarke.

Dramaturgy from Alice Tatton-Brown

Supported by Arts Council England, Interval, Bristol Ferment, In Between Time and Battersea Arts Centre.

#discover #SOLOforum

Tickets
£10 / conc £8 per show

£18 / conc £15 for both evenings

Doors 7.30pm / Show 8pm

Come to Social Muscle Club: Queer Bristol – a celebration of togetherness with performance, music, heartfelt exchanges and dancing. Bristol-Berlin Queer Arts Exchange and Pride Without Borders invite you to meet new friends and take part in a simple game of giving and receiving surprising gifts – a favourite book, freshly baked bread, a song, a story, some advice, a portrait, a dance move, a stage dive ... See you there!

Photo Credit: Julian Hemelberg

Laughter and tears, puberty and menopause, struggles and success. A range of local Bristol women from different generations and cultures come together to share their real-life stories and experiences of being a women.

So get ready to put on your Bluetooth headsets and let this all-women cast take you on a truly mesmerising, intimate and unique journey of what being a women means to them.

Please note, this show contains sexual references.

She Called Me Mother is a story of distance. Distance caused by travelling from one continent to another. The distance that secrets create. Distance made by time. Distance between generations. Distance as enforced protection when love is lost to broken trust.

Evangeline is waiting, waiting for a woman, waiting for her black swan. Meanwhile she observes passers by. From her spot at London Bridge station she is only really visible to those who choose to see her. She is asking for money, an interaction and kindness in exchange for a magazine. Evangeline recounts moments in her long life that have led her to this place. Her past is set in Trinidad where she held many roles; she was a wife and, most importantly to the tale, she was a mother. She speaks out to us, explaining her history while the figure of a younger woman casually moves around in background like the ghost of a life lost. The figure is the thought at the front of Evangeline's mind, loitering in her present life, unable or unwilling to be shaken off.

When we finally meet this figure we are not surprised to learn that she is Evangeline's daughter Shirley. Through the Shirley we hear a different side to the tale. The gulf of experience between the two women is evident in their accents, use of language and points of view. Deeper secrets are revealed; alcoholism, abuse, protection and neglect. Could more have been done to prevent a lifetime's worth of damage? Once these buried pains are brought to the surface can a broken relationship be fixed?

When the two women come together their focus on us as an audience ceases. Suddenly they occupy the same space, the same place in time and we, the audience, are redundant. We are no longer listening to a story, we are now witnessing a coming together of a bygone relationship. There is something inharmonious about this jump of focus which is followed by an overly drawn out scene of attempted reconciliation that finds the actors vying for emotional one upmanship. However, She Called Me Mother, overall, feels like something of a breakthrough. As a debut play it more than succeeds in giving voice to traumatic experiences in a palatable fashion. Respect and realism are prioritised where the writing and performances could have easily swayed to sentimentality and the question of blame and accepting accountability is, authentically, never fully resolved. There is no fairy tale ending, no wave of a magic wand. But there is life and, for Shirley at least, the chance to live it.

by Michelle Inniss, directed by Cara Nolan, starring Cathy Tyson

When she gon come? I lookin at de people dem but I can’t see her. She a pretty lookin ting, she does stan’ out amongst these faces dripped in dissatisfaction…

Evangeline is waiting; she has been waiting a long time. She waits for the Black Swan to glide through the station and show her a little warmth and kindness. She waits for a ticket home to Trinidad, the sun, the mango trees, and the street vendors selling curry. She waits for Shirley the daughter she let walk away all those years ago.

I try not to tink about she too much, 'cause de pain dem thoughts bring it like a heard of buffalo runnin wild in a field, an I beneath dem foot.

Will her daughter ever return to her and can she ever forgive the Mother that let her go?

She Called Me Mother invites the audience into the life of Evangeline Gardner – a homeless, 70 year old Afro-Caribbean woman, who finds herself living on the streets. The play brings together Evangeline and her estranged daughter Shirley and is written in poetic Trinidadian vernacular rarely heard on our stages.

She Called Me Mother stars BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson, best known for her stage work with the RSC and the Liverpool Everyman and on film in Mona Lisa (1986)

She called me Mother is written in poetic Trindadian vernacular rarely heard on British stages.

"I believe She Called Me Mother has the potential to be a modern classic. We are going into territory that hasn't been explored on our stages before. The emotional potential of the play is boundless. I hope this play will be a rewarding experience for our audience and all those with creative involvement." (Cathy Tyson actor/producer)

This debut show from Pitch Lake Productions, founded by actor Cathy Tyson, writer Michelle Inniss and director Cara Nolan will be the second show to tour for the Black Theatre Live consortium, dedicated to bringing inventive BAME theatre to venues across the country. It follows the recently concluded tour of Tara Arts new version of Macbeth.

“I’m delighted that our consortium have selected such an exciting prospect for our first commission. The poetry of the script blew me away” (Sarah Brigham, Artistic Director Derby)

Doors: 7.30pm

Show Start: 8pm

Experience the magic of sand animation as Oksana creates breathtaking pictures in real time from sparkling grains of sand, all accompanied to beautiful musical compositions. With a simple wave of her hands, she transforms the sand into enchanting worlds conveying her soul and artistry

In the first act, you'll be mesmerized by a sand animation that brings to life the story of Oscar Wilde's The Star-Child, with audio narration in both Ukrainian and English.

Finally, in the second act, the sand animation will present a Prayer for Ukraine, which is the artist's interpretations of current events aimed to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine.

All funds raised at the event will go to support Ukraine.

For inquiries, please contact here.

Lullabies workshop at Easton Community Centre. Photo @ Alexa Ledecky

Roxana is a multi-award winning Iranian/British multi-disciplinary artist working with music, storytelling, film and live performance in a participatory context for over 20 years. Core to Roxana’s work is a desire to connect with the human stories that unite us, using a multi art approach to tackle issues of racism, discrimination and belonging.

In 2018 Roxana joined the Trinity team developing her project, Lullabies, during her IGNiTE residency. Lullabies, was inspired by Roxana signing traditional Iranian lullabies to her children at night. Here she began to imagine how many others might be singing songs in different languages to their children and the stories behind them.

During her pilot project Roxana worked with local communities and schools to collect lullabies from families. She recorded interviews and songs from communities across Bristol, including Somali, Kurdish, Irish, Israeli, Iranian, Hungarian, German and Afro-Cuban songs.

In 2020 the project was selected to be part of Here and Now, a national project celebrating of 25 years of National Lottery Funding and showcasing everyday culture.

With the support of Trinity Roxana is continuing to develop Lullabies and in 2021 and will deliver online Zoom workshops. There is an open call for the public to submit their Lullabies and there are a series of adaptive podcasts with BBC R+D.

During the evening there will be performances from the very best of local, national and international dance theatre representing dance of the African diaspora. There will also be two free introductory workshops in Rumba and Samba taught by Ella Mesma between 6:00pm-7.45pm.

Growing up, Ella often felt her dance forms didn’t get the same respect and opportunity to shine as contemporary and ballet. In response to this she decided to create a festival that allows Afro-Latin theatre a spotlight on the stage.

Roots of Rumba is produced & curated by award-winning dancer and choreographer Ella Mesma. Ella Mesma and her Company have been commissioned to curate for a number of leading arts organisations including Sadler’s Well and they have presented work in a number of highly regarded venues and festivals such as Dance City, Breakin’ Convention and Casa Latin American Festival. Roots of Rumba is supported by funding from Arts Council England and will visit Dance City in Newcastle, Lion Salt Works in Northwich (supported by Cheshire Dance), Yorkshire Dance in Leeds and Richmix in London alongside Bristol.

What is Afro-Latin Dance Theatre?

Afro-Latin Dance Theatre includes: Rumba, Tango, Afro-Cuban; Afro-Brasilian; Samba, Salsa; Capoeira; Baile Funk; Kuduru; Bachata; Hip Hop (many forms were created by the Latin community in the USA), Caribbean dances - including Haitian dance, Dance hall and African dances such as Sabar, Kizomba (as all Afro-Latin dance forms can be traced back to Africa in their roots).

Get Involved:

CPD workshops: Are you an artist in one of the above styles?

Would you like to build a long term relationship with the festival? Are you based in one of the above cities? Would you love to spend a day working with us on your newest piece? We would love to hear from you!

Apply using this form

Local artists and performers:-

Are you an artist in one of the above styles based in the above cities? Would you love to present your work in 2018? Do you have a show ready?

Apply using this form

Dance workshops 6th July :-

6.30pm – 7.00pm: Rumba (with Ella Mesma)

Roots of Rumba Promo 2018 from Ella Mesma on Vimeo.

During the evening there will be performances from the very best of local, national and international dance theatre representing dance of the African diaspora. There will also be two free introductory workshops in Rumba and Samba taught by Ella Mesma between 6:00pm-7.45pm.

Growing up, Ella often felt her dance forms didn’t get the same respect and opportunity to shine as contemporary and ballet. In response to this she decided to create a festival that allows Afro-Latin theatre a spotlight on the stage.

Roots of Rumba is produced & curated by award-winning dancer and choreographer Ella Mesma. Ella Mesma and her Company have been commissioned to curate for a number of leading arts organisations including Sadler’s Well and they have presented work in a number of highly regarded venues and festivals such as Dance City, Breakin’ Convention and Casa Latin American Festival. Roots of Rumba is supported by funding from Arts Council England and will visit Dance City in Newcastle, Lion Salt Works in Northwich (supported by Cheshire Dance), Yorkshire Dance in Leeds and Richmix in London alongside Bristol.

What is Afro-Latin Dance Theatre?

Afro-Latin Dance Theatre includes: Rumba, Tango, Afro-Cuban; Afro-Brasilian; Samba, Salsa; Capoeira; Baile Funk; Kuduru; Bachata; Hip Hop (many forms were created by the Latin community in the USA), Caribbean dances - including Haitian dance, Dance hall and African dances such as Sabar, Kizomba (as all Afro-Latin dance forms can be traced back to Africa in their roots).

Get Involved:

CPD workshops: Are you an artist in one of the above styles?

Would you like to build a long term relationship with the festival? Are you based in one of the above cities? Would you love to spend a day working with us on your newest piece? We would love to hear from you!

Apply using this form

Local artists and performers:-

Are you an artist in one of the above styles based in the above cities? Would you love to present your work in 2018? Do you have a show ready?

Apply using this form

Dance workshops 6th July :-

6.30pm – 7.00pm: Rumba (with Ella Mesma)

Roots of Rumba Promo 2018 from Ella Mesma on Vimeo.

RISE Performance Group (16+), 1.30pm - 5pm

ABOUT RISE YOUTH DANCE: DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY

RISE Youth Dance is a Bristol based youth dance company providing citywide training, access and progression for young dancers from the ages of 8 – 19.

RISE aims to build aspiration and skills for members through dance in classes, performances and teaching, through rigorous training, visiting artists, intensives, and relationships with partner dance organisations.

The Company is recognised nationally as an excellent training ground for young dancers and has been selected for U.Dance, the National Youth Dance Festival three times. Many students progress to the UK’s top training institutions such as Trinity Laban and The Place. RISE teachers are regularly invited to lead workshops to develop technique, choreographic skills or to talk to young people about progression to a career in dance.

Join an unforgettable evening of passion and rhythm at the Flamenco Dance Show 'RAÍCES' ("ROOTS") presented by the internationally acclaimed prized winner flamenco dancer from Madrid, Rebeca Ortega accompanied by UK leading flamenco guitarist and composer from Granada, Ramón Ruiz, established star flamenco singer from Cádiz, Natalia Marín, London rising percussionist, Sebastian Ruiz.

Get ready to be mesmerized by the fiery footwork and soul-stirring music that will transport you to the heart of Spain.

This high quality performance involves the whole company. Not only do the students perform but they play an instrumental role in the behind the scene organisation, such as designing posters and programmes, making costumes, collecting raffle prizes and raising money to pay for all of this. They’re also an integral part of the creative process, working as soloists, within small groups and entire company collaborations.'

Matinee - 2pm

Evening show 7.30pm

RISE Youth Dance aim to bring you 'Reach' - an exciting showcase of our talented students! | Crowdfunding is a democratic way to support the fundraising needs of your community. Make a contribution today!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rise-youth-dance-presents-reach-still-i-rise#/