»A cup of coffee with … « 2024
Every other Thursday from 9-10 am, choreographers, dance mediators and cultural managers report on their experiences, places and projects with choreography, dance and dance mediation in rural regions in moderated discussions in the discussion series »A cup of coffee with …« via Zoom.
They reflect on challenges and opportunities and engage in an exchange. In the new edition, we look beyond the horizon and invite cultural practitioners from other countries to share their best-practice experiences. The new edition will be moderated by Pascal Sangl from Tanzszene Baden-Württemberg. From the vision to the realization of a project, from lone wolves to diverse collaborations, from the singular idea to sustainable structures – all those who want to take these steps in the countryside and need inspiration and support are cordially invited to »A cup of coffee with …«! Below you will find the ongoing programme as well as a video archive of past editions.
Pascal Sangl is a choreographer, dancer and dance mediator working in the Stuttgart region and beyond. As a cultural mediator, he sees it as his responsibility to sustainably strengthen society through art and culture – for peaceful coexistence.
PROGRAMME
December 19, 2024 / 9 to 10 am
Final »Coffee Talk« 2024: »Tanz Nordwärts«, map.weit.draußen, video archive and get-together
✨ Join us for the final »Coffee Talk« of this year! ✨ Together, we’ll look back at our »Tanz Nordwärts« Touring that took place in November 2024 across three northern federal states of Germany. We’ll report on reaching audiences with our mobile dance productions in exciting locations such as the »Zukunftsschloss« Gadebusch, the Kulturkirche Brügge, and several schools within the area. Secondly, we’d like to point your attention to our »map.weit.draußen«, an interactive mapping tool designed to illustrate where and how dance in rural areas is active. Last but not least, we’d like to celebrate the release of our »Coffee Talk« archive. It offers a chance to rewatch the previous talks or share then with friends and colleagues.
Be invited to join us for a relaxed get-together with insights, exchange, reflections on the format and time for any remaining questions.
»Coffee Talk« Archive – Watch all the insights on replay
June 13, 2024 / Kick-off event with the team from »tanz weit draußen«
A new series started on June 13 with an opening, in which Pascal Sangl and Elisabeth Nehring gave a thematic outlook on the following editions with international guests and the »tanz weit draußen« network introduced itself and its work. Representatives of the regional teams from Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Aktion Tanz and the project management team were there to present the project, answer questions and exchange ideas.
June 27, 2024 / Charlotte Mathiessen about the work of »TanzPlan Ost«
»TanzPlan Ost« is the unique funding platform for contemporary dance in the region of Eastern Switzerland/Principality of Liechtenstein. The two-year program cycle begins with the ChoreoLab, a workshop and exchange week for professional dance makers. Following this, two artists are invited to develop a new stage piece as part of the Associate Artist Program and present it on tour at various venues in Eastern Switzerland. The three formats contribute to effectively supporting dance creators, networking with each other, sustainably anchoring dance in the region, specifically strengthening it, making it (more) visible and attracting an audience for it. »TanzPlan Ost« is managed by Mona de Weerdt and Romeo Oliveras.
»TanzPlan Ost« is presented by Charlotte Mathiessen, dramaturge, choreographer and dancer. Charlotte was part of »ChoreoLab« in 2022 and has worked on two Associate Artist projects as a performer and dramaturge. In this Coffee Talk, she will go into more detail about the project.
https://www.tanzplan-ost.ch/editorial
July 11, 2024 / Hannah Ma about radical solidarity in dance
»Lost in No(W/H)here? The need for community building through radical solidarity« – That`s the topic of this talk.
We need radical solidarity to build the intersectional bridges the world requires. What can dance do? How can dance be that bridge? How can dance have a radical solidarity effect? What can this impetus mean locally and translocally in the exchange between the Global North and the Global South? How do we deal with structural racism, classism, abelism, and all other forms of discrimination in our local contexts? How can we jointly translate findings globally? We have learned that neither applying theories nor translating terms (e.g., Asian American to Asian German) can reflect the realities, histories, and representations of marginalization. It needs the creation of safer and braver spaces where we can find deeper understanding and unlearn binaries. How can we create spaces around dance in rural areas where we work together long-term and form friendships, networks, and communities that cultivate and promote these spaces?
September 12, 2024 / Pablo Sansalvador on Guiding Dance Productions and Embracing Failure
In this talk Pablo Sansalvador delves into his dynamic approach to nurturing and promoting dance in communities beyond the metropolitan spotlight. Drawing from his extensive experience, Pablo will discuss how he captivates potential stakeholders, builds dedicated audiences, secures funding and oversees the entire dance production process — from initial concept through touring and final dissemination. Pablo’s journey has been marked not just by successes but also by setbacks, which he regards as invaluable learning experiences. He will candidly share these personal failures and the lessons they’ve taught him, emphasizing the importance of “learning by doing” in the often unpredictable world of dance production.
This Coffee Talk provides deep insights for dance makers and supporters alike, particularly those working in or aspiring to reach communities outside major cultural hubs. Pablo Sansalvador is a freelance creator, dance artist and the artistic leader of TanzLabor Ulm.
September 26, 2024 / Roberto Casarotto on Curating Dance Projects in North-East Italy
Roberto Casarotto is the co-director of »Aerowaves«, the European Platform for Dance promoting cross-border mobility of the work of emerging dance artists. He is also the initiator of »Dance Well« – Movement Research for Parkinson’s and other processes aimed at fostering participation in cultural activities both on a community and on an individual level. From 2006 to 2022, he was responsible for the dance projects and programs at »Centro per la Scena Contemporanea di Bassano del Grappa« (CSC) and »Operaestate Festival Veneto« in small cities and rural areas in the North East of Italy. He still develops international projects there now, supported by the EU Creative Europe and Erasmus + Programs, aimed at supporting artistic research, engaging local citizens and promoting artistic mobility and development in the field of dance. Prior to working for dance organizations, Roberto was a professional contemporary dancer.
In this Coffee Talk, Roberto gives insights into his wide range of experience in program creation and producing contemporary international dance in rural areas of northern Italy.
October 10, 2024 / Markéta Málková on connecting communities and nature through dance in South Bohemia, Czechia
On October 10, 2024, we were excited excited to host a special conversation with Markéta H. Malkova, director of the »REZI.DANCE« artist residency in Komařice, South Bohemia. Since 2016, »REZI.DANCE« has offered dancers from around the world a unique retreat to create in the tranquility of nature while engaging with the local community. Through projects like »The Body in the Region«, Markéta fosters the active participation of local villagers, from children to seniors, in the creative process. She organizes the »HARVEST« festival, bringing contemporary dance directly into the rural landscape.
In this Coffee Talk, Markéta shares her experiences and provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of producing dance in rural areas. She demonstrates how art, nature, and community can successfully come together.
October 24, 2024 / Bianca Kruppa on Community Work at »Falsche Farm« (Diebis, Bayern) and the Joy of Making Mistakes
»What can modern, sustainable and culturally diverse rural life look like, where a large variety of people can participate and co-create?«
With this key question, »Falsche Farm« can be understood as an ongoing place in progress. It holds space for content shaped by the creativity and expertise of its local people. As a co-founder of »Falsche Farm«, Bianca regards this progress as a collective resistance against the pursuit of the supposedly “right answer” – creating space for something new instead. In doing so, Bianca’s community often finds itself on an overwhelming spectrum between aspiration and reality while maintaining the joy of making mistakes.
During this Coffee Talk, Bianca shares some of her experiences as a community dance artist and facilitator in the context of her work at »Falsche Farm«. She mainly focuses on community building and personal research questions regarding dance in rural areas. Bianca lives and works in rural southern Germany. Currently she’s studying MA Dance: Participation, Communities, Activism at the London Contemporary Dance School.
November 7, 2024 / Christina Elliot on the »Rural Touring Dance Initiative« in the UK
On November 7, 2024, we were excited to host a conversation with Christina Elliot, Head of Programming & Producing at »The Place«, London’s creative powerhouse for dance development. Christina leads The Place’s theatre program, artist development initiatives, as well as new production and touring projects.
In this Coffee Talk, Christina introduces the »Rural Touring Dance Initiative« – a UK-wide project that supports dance artists and rural promoters in bringing high-quality dance performances to rural areas. Since its launch in 2015, RTDI has brought some of the UK’s leading dance companies, such as Lost Dog, Protein, and Scottish Dance Theatre, to rural spaces. Christina shares insights into how RTDI has transformed rural dance touring in the UK and continues to positively shape the wider touring ecology.
November 21, 2024 / Sarah Soethoudt on connecting dance, interdisciplinary autonomy and accessible art in Venlo, the Netherlands
Sarah Soethoudt is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, cultural coach and founding member of the artist collective FLUJAS in Venlo, Noord-Limburg. This region consists mainly of villages and small towns, which is both a blessing and a challenge for any professional artist working in the area. As a dancer and choreographer, Sarah creates site-specific works, using the local forests as both inspiration and setting. She also develops performances for specific purposes, collaborating with partners such as museums and nature organizations. As a culture coach, she helps to lift off local artistic initiatives, supporting both professional artists and inhabitants within Venlo. Finally, FLUJAS is an artist-run collective dedicated to improving working conditions for independent artists across Noord-Limburg. Most creators in this region face challenges related to exposure, finances, collaborations and know-how. FLUJAS brings artists together and gives them the space for trust and creation without pressure.
In this Coffee Talk, Sarah speaks about her interface work as a cultural coach, her artistic practice and collective work with a focus of rural areas in the netherlands.
December 5, 2024 / Rui Silveira on Something Great, a non-profit organisation and live arts centre in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
On December 5, 2024, we had a talk with Rui Silveira, founder and co-artistic and managing director of Something Great, a non-profit organisation and live arts centre in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Since 2022, the centre has operated as an international residency for artists and will gradually open its four venues to the public between 2026 and 2030. Located within a large complex of outbuildings at Schloss Mentin in Ruhner Berge – a rural municipality of 14 villages near Parchim – the centre is just 1.5 hours from both Berlin and Hamburg.
In this Coffee Talk, Rui shares the story of Something Great and its transformation from an internationally renowned performing arts touring agency based in Berlin into a cultural charity and live arts centre rooted in an 18.6-hectare manor estate in southwest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Dedicated to supporting, promoting, and presenting live arts, the centre primarily focuses on contemporary dance and performance art while also welcoming and supporting other art forms, such as visual arts.