A poetry & dance course for Arvon, led by Katrina Naomi & Kyra Norman

15 - 20 July 2024, at Arvon's Totleigh Barton centre, Devon, UK

This course builds on our first poetry & dance course together, at Dartington & Schumacher, Devon in Autumn 2023.  We're excited to make the most of the opportunities that this longer format will offer, to dive deeper into individual practice and shared processes.  We're also really looking forward to meeting our guest for one of the evenings, poet, critic and choreographer Oluwaseun Olayiwola

All the information including how to book, here: https://www.arvon.org/writing-courses/courses-retreats/residential-writing-week-poetry-with-dance/

Every Monday in September, October, November 2023, 10.30am - 12 midday

A guided adventure in movement and dance

PAYF (pay as you feel) - £10/ £6/ £ pay what you can

These sessions are for all bodies that like to move: no formal dance experience required

For more info about what to expect, see here

Our first public performances of new, movement-led collaborative performance work, Deep Time Moving...

"Deep Time Moving brings together dance and geology in a playful exploration of place and environment: how might imagining the distant past help us to imagine new futures?

"Expect sounds from out on the cliffs and under the Atlantic Ocean, costumes fit for the walking holidays of your dreams, atmospheric lighting, and exquisite movement inspired by rocks, water and rural rituals. Some spoken word and printed resources are integrated, referencing geological stories and histories of the ground beneath our feet...."

Relaxed show: 2pm, FREE, book here

This is a relaxed performance suitable for families and anyone who needs a more chilled out experience. The venue is fully accessible with wheelchair-friendly facilities.  During the performance, we will have a laid-back approach to noise and movement coming from the audience, permitting and encouraging everyone to relax and respond naturally

Evening show: 7pm, FREE, book here

The evening performance is for those aged 12+

It will be a louder, darker, more immersive sensory experience

Find out more about the wider project here: https://www.deeptimemoving.co.uk/

DEEP TIME MOVING: Sound - Texture - Movement

Deep Time Moving is a long-term movement-led art work unfolding in response to the unique geology of the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, led by choreographer Kyra Norman

"After ten years' living on the Lizard, in early 2023 I began work on a collaborative, interdisciplinary performance work, reflecting on the material realities and imaginative possibilities of life on this unique lump of rock, at this time.

"I'm asking the question: how might an embodied imagining of the distant past, right here, help us reach toward new understandings of our globally complex present moment, and - in turn - imagine new futures, here and elsewhere?"

With this one-off workshop we invite you to join us for a day of structured discussing, practicing, wondering, moving and imagining, together 

11am - 1pm: a series of short talks and practical tasks sharing some of the strategies we've been exploring over the last six months of Deep Time Moving activity: in particular, focusing on sound, texture and movement 

1pm - 2pm: Lunch: pre-book at CAST Café or bring a packed lunch

2pm - 4pm a guided movement exploration of settling/unsettling, drifting, re-patterning,  listening, imagining, and rest. With deep Earth sounds recorded by composer/ sound artist and Deep Time Moving collaborator Shirley Pegna.  You are welcome to participate in this field of activity as a mover, and/or to observe, draw, write, or shift between these modes over the course of the afternoon 

Find out more about the wider project here: https://www.deeptimemoving.co.uk/

Leeds Screendance Competition 2023, part of Leeds International Film Festival

I was delighted to be invited onto the panel again for this event, alongside Omari 'Motion' Carter (UK) and Nicola Hepp (NL).  A fantastic selection of films from artists around the world, led to productive conversations about this evolving field of practice

Thursday 12th October 2023 

A second Distant Dances evening event: part performance, part celebration, part disco, part party...

Very excited about this one.  See Distant Dances page for more info

Featuring movement performance from a gang of remarkable dancers, aged between 20 and 70, based in Cornwall and Devon, including: Angus Balbernie, Debbie Fionn Barr, Angus Capel, Winona Guy, Hannah Jacobs, Katie Lusby, Phoebe McChesney, Tim Merrifield, Kyra Norman, Harry Scott, Talia Sealey, Kuldip Singh-Barmi, Sapphire Sumpter, Olivia Walton

Featuring recorded music from friends of the project and tunes that have become our kind-of 'national anthems' - - thank you for lending us these tunes

Plus live improvised guitar from Angus Balbernie

And! an extended version of Going, Going, a new music and dance performance collaboration between choreographer Kyra Norman and composer Barnaby Taylor, with the dancers, featuring field recordings from sound recordist Ellie Williams, live percussion from David Oliver,  live cello from Kath Buckler and live piano from Barnaby Taylor

...

With perfect Distant Dances Disco DJ Tim Ridley

And live drawing from Faye Dobinson

--

If you're an experienced improviser - mover, dancer, musician - come get involved in future iterations: be in touch

Next date: more to come in 2024, watch this space....

Saturday 23rd September 2023, 8pm 

The DEEP TIME MOVING: Part One short film will be screening as part of this curated festival

"... An evening of independent short films screened in unusual spaces in a beautiful rural setting: cocktail, food, fire and wonder all included in the ticket price..."

Advance booking required, tickets available here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-splendid-film-festival-tickets-681555901047

Thursday 29th June 2023 

Celebrating three years of Distant Dances, in various forms

Very excited about this one.  See Distant Dances page for more info

Featuring movement performance from 11 brilliant professional dancers, aged between 20 and 70, based in Cornwall and Devon: Angus Balbernie, Winona Guy, Katie Lusby, Polly Motley, Kyra Norman, Harry Scott, Kuldip Singh-Barmi, Sapphire Sumpter, Lois Taylor, Claud Tonietto, Olivia Walton

Featuring recorded music from friends of the project and tunes that have become our kind-of 'national anthems' - Visit Croatia Alabaster DePlume, griptape simmerdown, West-Running Brook Pete Judge, Dusk Barefoot & Had To Rudi Ae - thank you for lending us these tunes

Plus live improvised guitar from Angus Balbernie

And! Brand new composition, Going, Going, written especially for us by Barnaby Taylor, featuring field recordings from sound recordist Ellie Williams and cello from Kath Buckler

...

With perfect Distant Dances Disco DJ Tim Ridley

And live drawing from Faye Dobinson

--

If you're an experienced improviser - mover, dancer, musician - come get involved in future iterations: be in touch

Next date: Thursday 12th October 2023

Friday 28th April 2023 

11:00 - 15:00 at Hendra Hall, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3TP

A day for moving and chatting with other movement and dance artists from around Cornwall and passing through, framed by the ongoing question: 'How do I / you / we want to make dance work, in this complex present moment?'

See HowNow for all the info

Monday 20th March 2023 

10:30 - 12 midday

A one-off movement workshop collaboration with the Fish Factory, for all bodies that like to move: you will be guided through a series of individual, partner and group movement tasks, finding ease, challenge and joy in connecting to your body and co-existing with others on the move.  With great music, and great company, in a great venue.  No formal dance experience required, if you like to move, this is for you.   Please note: wear comfy shoes - trainers, plimsolls, sneakers; wear lots of layers; bring a water bottle.  

Saturday 4th March 2023 

A contemporary dance company based in Cornwall, for dancers aged over 50

10:30 - 13:00 Chacewater Village Hall, near Truro, Cornwall

bookings via hello@innergrounddancecompany.com  

This workshop with Kyra Norman for Inner Ground begins with two questions: 

How might we tune into the world around us through an attention to movement? 

and, 

What if the activity of performance is about discovery, rather than display?  

This will be a guided adventure in movement and dance. We'll move with care and curiosity: individually, in pairs, in small groups and all together.  I'll offer some simple tasks that will prompt complex, multilayered outcomes.  There will, inevitably, be laughter.  

Together, we will create a shared space for experiencing ease, challenge and joy, through our own physicality and in the witnessing of others, on the move.  

Saturday 14th January 2023 

With Carolyn Hume (piano), Paul May (percussion) and a gang of dance improvisers, brought together by Angus Balbernie, including:

Kyra Norman, Kuldip Singh-Barmi, Lois Taylor, Jane Mason, Grace Surman, Winnie Guy, Alice Smith, Klara Lusnik, Jess Murray and Harriet Roberts

Doors and bar from 7pm, show starts 7.30pm, tickets £15/ £11/ £7/ £ you choose

Saturday 19th November 2022 

11:30 - 15:30 at Hendra Hall, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3TP

Open to all those working in, or in relation to, movement/dance, whether based in Cornwall or passing through.  In the morning one of us - me, Winnie Guy, Claud Tonietto - will lead a group warm-up, and then we'll play with some movement improvisation scores.   We'll have lunch and time to chat and catch up together.  In the afternoon, anyone can propose a movement idea/task they're working on, or are interested in trying out, and we'll explore it together - we'll figure out exactly how that works on the day.  HowNow Open Sessions began in October 2021, and are usually monthly.  To receive updates, join our mailing list by emailing hownowcollective@gmail.com

Thursday 10th November 2022 

at the Everyman Cinema, Trinity, Leeds, UK

I was on the jury for this year's competition - the LIFF Screendance Competition always attracts a great range of submissions, and this year's films make for a lively, diverse line-up: "...where cinematography and choreography meet, this compelling collection of international dance films navigate the endless ways a moving body can propel a story. From dancing through depression in an urban landscape, to upended performers in tidal terrains, we explore the panorama of this burgeoning form. Whether explicitly narrative or more abstract in approach these innovative shorts all share a particular engagement with choreography, offering a different take on this experimental film genre..." 

To book for the screening, click here.  The films are also available to watch online 9th - 17th November 2022, see title link above. Highly recommended.

Saturday 22nd October 2022 

11:30 - 15:30 at Hendra Hall, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3TP

Open to all those working in, or in relation to, movement/dance, whether based in Cornwall or passing through.  In the morning one of us - me, Winnie Guy, Claud Tonietto - will lead a group warm-up, and then we'll play with some movement improvisation scores.   We'll have lunch and time to chat and catch up together.  In the afternoon, anyone can propose a movement idea/task they're working on, or are interested in trying out, and we'll explore it together - we'll figure out exactly how that works on the day.  This month is also a chance to reflect on and revisit some of the ideas and tasks introduced by Orrow Bell in their recent workshop with us (see below). HowNow Open Sessions began in October 2021, and are usually monthly.  To receive updates, join our mailing list by emailing hownowcollective@gmail.com

Tuesday 18th October 2022 

6.30 - 8.00pm, at the Temperance Hall, Penryn

 Come join in!  

Class description here.  

Booking is via Freefall, here: https://www.freefalldance.co.uk/events 

10th & 11th September 2022 

At the Temperance Hall, Penryn, Cornwall.  A HowNow event

Join a gathering of artists for a weekend of sharing and feeding your own creative practice, shaking your habits and diving into some fresh approaches.  Developing a solo practice for dance and movement making can be an enriching and yet also sometimes an isolating experience - this workshop looks to create a space for a playful, nurturing and inspiring being-alongside-ness as we delve into and deepen our own individual practices.

For all the info and to book, see https://www.hownowcollective.co.uk/

3rd & 4th September 2022 

A packed weekend of Free Improvisation concerts and workshops in music and dance, celebrating Leo Feigin, founder of Leo Records  Organised by Carolyn Hume and Paul May with Ashburton Arts Centre and Angus Balbernie and featuring concerts by Hume & May, Eternal Triangle and Fourth Page

Friday 19th August 2022 

Outdoor movement workshop. Drawing inspiration from the garden in Summer, we will take time to explore the beautiful location of Trebah as a starting point for guided individual, partner and group dancing

Booking and further info via Trebah, here

Wednesdays across August 2022 

This summer, for the first time, CAST is taking its programme of creative adventures out to the Lizard peninsula. All the activities are free and offered on a drop-in basis, no booking required.  On Wednesdays from 3 to 24 August, the CAST team will be in different places around the Lizard for CAST-Away, a chance for the whole community to come together in these special places, with creative activities for the whole family.  Our team will be joined by guest artists and musicians to inspire invention, movement and play

9th & 10th July 2022 

A symphonic love letter to this home we call Earth. A multi-dimensional new orchestral and electronic work exploring our planet and reflecting on our relationship to it. 

Conceived by composer Benji Bower in 2020, when the world paused and many of us saw our environments in a different light, Terra Coda is a five movement Symphonic work inspired by the natural world and framed by the Taoist five elements. It explores hope and connection through the lens of the climate crisis and grief.  

For these Cornwall dates, Terra Coda collective are joined by three featured solo artists, dancer Kyra Norman, and singers Melanie Marshall and Kathleen Frances

7 - 11 July 2022 

Locating the past, present and future of the form.  

This event will take place at Oberlin College, USA: I am co-curating a programme of short films as part of the event.  

Submission info for films is here: https://filmfreeway.com/CI50DanceFilmScreening

Saturday 18th June 2022 

11:30 - 15:30 at St Just Drill Hall, St Just, Cornwall. Open to all those working in, or in relation to, movement/dance, whether based in Cornwall or passing through.  In the morning one of us - me, Winnie Guy, Claud Tonietto - will lead a group warm-up, and then we'll play with some movement improvisation scores.   We'll have lunch and time to chat and catch up together.  In the afternoon, anyone can propose a movement idea/task they're working on, or are interested in trying out, and we'll explore it together - we'll figure out exactly how that works on the day.  HowNow Open Sessions began in October 2021, and are usually monthly.  

To receive updates, join our mailing list by emailing hownowcollective@gmail.com

Saturday 11th June 2022 

This workshop at Inner Space will share some of the processes and ideas developed during Kyra's One. Another. residency at Jupiter Gallery, Newlyn (see link).  It's open to anyone interested in exploring some fundamental movement principles, dipping into some structured improvisation (also known as playing!), and trying out some simple compositional/ choreographic tasks.

In keeping with Kyra's regular weekly Distant Dances sessions at the Acorn in Penzance, this workshop offers a welcoming, safe space for people to find ease, challenge and joy in the physical, visceral experience of moving, together. With great music, in a beautiful space. No prior dance experience required - for all bodies that like to move.  Note: workshop participants are warmly invited to join us at Jupiter on the evening of Saturday 11th June for an informal sharing to conclude the residency, subject to availability, places limited. 

To reserve your place, and confirm timings, please email kyra.norman@gmail.com or contact Maria 07800511784 -innerspacenewlyn@gmail.com 

5 - 12 June 2022 

A residency/ take-over/ week-long process of dance performance research. Beginning with the idea of paying attention - to the space between - one person and another, one sound and another, one moment and another, one action and another, one perspective and another.... What if this space, this gap, is where we can actually live?  

"To live in the gap, between the moment that is expiring and the one that is arising..." (Laurie Anderson, Heart of a Dog) at Jupiter Gallery, Newlyn, Cornwall in collaboration with composer and sound artist, Julia Macara and invited dance artists, movement practitioners, performers, including Darcey Ball, Winona Guy, Polly Motley, Jude Page, Talia Sealey & Claud Tonietto, and visual artist Faye Dobinson

There will be opportunities to participate and informal sharings during the week: if you'd like to be kept in the loop about these, email kyra.norman@gmail.com

Saturday 28th May 2022 

11:30 - 15:30 at Hendra Hall, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3TP.  Open to all those working in, or in relation to, movement/dance, whether based in Cornwall or passing through. HowNow is a collaboration between the three of us - Claud Tonietto, Kyra Norman, Winona Guy to hold a space - in Cornwall, UK - for artists working with movement and dance to gather and share moving and thinking. Our work is framed by the ongoing question: 'How do I / you / we want to make dance work, in this complex present moment?' If you're interested in coming along and joining in, or want to find out more, email: hownowcollective@gmail.com  

For more info see: www.hownowcollective.co.uk

February, March 2022 

A second block of the weekly online lab series curated & facilitated by Claire Loussouarn & Kyra Norman with Independent Dance

With contributing artists Simon Ellis, Cara Hagan & Judy Cole

Further details, including booking info, here  [now fully booked]

February, March 2022 

The Most Southerly Dance Workshop on the UK mainland - true fact!  Come join me for a new workshop series at Lizard [TR12 7PB]. Every Friday, 10:30 - 12:00. Sliding scale: £10 / £6/ £ pay-what-you-can.  What to expect: space to move, groove, roll, stroll, dance like you mean it, and feel mighty real.  A somatic disco. Together we create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can relax into generous, full-bodied moving and dancing.  You will be guided through individual, partner and group movement explorations, with great music, in a beautiful venue.  

To book, or for any further info, email: kyra.norman@gmail.com

March 2022 

A 4-week pop-up movement lab/ dance space: you will be guided through individual, partner and group movement explorations. Finding ease, challenge and pleasure in moving, individually and in company, and with great music. A somatic disco

These sessions are being developed with and for Krowji's resident community of artists and makers as a way to wake up the body and perhaps arrive at new perspectives on your own creative practice. Let's see what we can make happen... 

Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March 2022. £8 per session or £24 for the block

To book, or for any further info, email: kyra.norman@gmail.com

Monday 7th February 2022 

10:30 - 12:00. At the Centre, Newlyn [TR18 5AR]. Cosmic Fabric is a movement research process led by Kyra Norman, inspired by the unique geology of the Lizard Pensinsula, Cornwall, UK.  More on that, here...  This practical session will include individual and group movement explorations, through which we will generate some shared movement material and begin to play with composing and arranging this material in space and time.  To book, or for any further info, email: kyra.norman@gmail.com

Tuesday 25th January 2022 

Part of The School of Fish FREE workshops programme 

What to expect: space to move, groove, roll, stroll, dance like you mean it, and feel mighty real.  A somatic disco. Together we create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can relax into generous, full-bodied moving and dancing.  You will be guided through individual, partner and group movement explorations, with great music, in a beautiful venue. Booking info via Fish Factory Arts, here  

6th January 2022 

10:30 - 12:00.  At The Centre, Newlyn [TR18 5AR]. Sliding scale: £10 / £6/ £ pay-what-you-can.  What to expect: space to move, groove, roll, stroll, dance like you mean it, and feel mighty real.  A somatic disco. Together we create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can relax into generous, full-bodied moving and dancing.  You will be guided through individual, partner and group movement explorations, with great music, in a beautiful venue.  To join the mailing list, email: kyra.norman@gmail.com

Friday 28th February 2020 Distant Dances launch, at the Hypatia Trust, Penzance, Cornwall

"Over there, on the horizon, a tiny figure is moving. Somewhere inside, under the ribs, a memory stirs..."

Join choreographer Kyra Norman, for a workshop and structured conversation as part of her new work, Distant Dances

"Distant memories, distant melodies, distant moves: somewhere on the edge of our perception, dance hovers. Distant Dances is a research process, a way of bringing dance into conversation with everyday life, and a series of low-key, no-holds-barred, knees-ups. Like anything, the more you think about dance, the more complicated it gets: Distant Dances keeps things simple. Most people 'used to dance' – lots of people still do. Let's get moving and remembering some of those moves, what felt good, why we did it, and why we might dance together today...

"When we dance together we tune in, we negotiate, we attend to our environment, we take responsibility for our shared experience, sometimes we blend seamlessly into one, sometimes we stick out like a sore thumb: we live at a time that requires all of those skills"

What to expect: we will move around a bit, watch some short films, discuss some ideas, drink hot drinks. Please bring biscuits and wear comfy clothes

Kyra has worked in dance, theatre, film and contemporary arts contexts for twenty years, as an artist, performer, choreographer, researcher and instigator of ad hoc events: the rough, the smooth, the thoughtful, the frivolous, the raw and the cooked