The Kingston Shebang!
Through the generous support of the Ontario Dances Program, the City of Kingston has kicked off the Kingston Shebang project, a multi-disciplinary arts project designed to foster collaboration through guided discovery. The Kingston Shebang will be facilitated by award-winning dance artist Andrea Nann, of Dreamwalker Dance, who will lead local artists to explore new, creative approaches to their artistic practice, various media, and partnership with fellow artists. Successful Shebang projects have been hosted in many communities, including: Toronto, St. Catherine's, and Guelph. Each Shebang process is unique, and evolves to reflect the needs and interests of its host community. The Kingston Shebang will unfold over the next 18 months, and will conclude with a public presentation by the participating artists to celebrate of the re-launch of the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning.
Phase I of the Kingston Shebang began on May 5th, 2013, with an Introductory Session hosted at the Baby Grand. During this session, participating artists from the Kingston School of Dance, Joe's Musical Instrument Lending Library, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners, the Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club, and the broader Kingston community met with Andrea Nann to launch the project and learn more about working with each other. That afternoon, a smaller group of six performing artists took part in an Exploratory Workshop, where they used movement and improvisation-based exercises to explore new ways of creating and collaborating. Photos and artist feedback from the Exploratory Workshop can be seen on Dreamwalker Dance's Shebang blog, at: http://wholeshebangblog.
Artists and members of the public who are interested in learning more about the Kingston Shebang can attend a free 2-hour workshop, Tuesday, June 25th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Baby Grand. Participants in this workshop will be invited to personally experience the movement and improvisation exercises that Andrea Nann uses for creative exploration. Details for this workshop can be found at http://www.kingstongrand.ca/
Interested artists and community members are also invited to attend the Kingston Shebang Open Studio on Wednesday, June 26th and Thursday, June 27th 1:30-4pm at the Baby Grand. At the Open Studio, everyone is invited to view the creative works that have been produced during the June Intensive, and to ask questions, provide feedback, and connect with the Shebang Intensive artists. For more information visit
http://www.kingstongrand.ca/
