Mixed-abled Afro Workshop | with Adam Chienjo (Upstage Limited)

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CANCELED!

Unfortunately, the workshop with Adam Chienjo on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, has to be canceled. Sadly, the artists did not receive their visas in time to arrive in Germany on schedule.

In this inclusive dance workshop, Adam Chienjo invites participants to learn the basic steps of the traditional East African nyatiti dance—accompanied by live music on the nyatiti, a traditional stringed instrument from Kenya.

Nyatiti is a lively, rhythm-based dance that brings the body and music into harmony. The workshop is aimed at people with and without physical disabilities and creates a space where everyone is invited to move, discover, and experience the joy of dance within their own physical capabilities.

No previous experience necessary—all levels welcome!

Barrier-free access. Participation with a rollator or wheelchair is possible.

About Adam Chienjo:

Adam Chienjo is a Kenyan born creative based in Nairobi. He started out as a break-dancer and has worked his way up experimentally as a contemporary dancer and has since developed his own work and continue to work as a performer/dancer/ choreographer, curator, dance critique, and creative consultant. His passion is focused on collaborative work, interdisciplinary work, wellness and teaching. Adam is also thefounder and curator of the annual Dance Life Festival in Nairobi.

Gefördert von:

Photo: Raymond Ndikwe

JANANGA | Upstage Limited (Adam Chienjo)

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Rooted in African history, JANANGA speaks to a global audience, examining how attire reflects the human experiences of heritage, cultural interference, spirituality, resistance, conformity, and socio-political change across cultures and eras. Its exploration of identity through dress resonates with universal themes of belonging, transformation, and self-expression that transcend geographic boundaries. The term “Jananga” carries historical weight: it was once used to describe colonial conformists, Jonanga (plural), who were seen as betraying traditional African values by adopting the European style of dressing. This project reclaims and redefines the term, using it as a lens to explore global narratives around identity and the politics of appearance.

CREDITS
Choreography and dance: Adam Chienjo
Music: Charles Wakake
Photo and Videography: Raymond Ndikwe.

DATE
Sat, 04.10.2025 | 8 pm

TICKETS
Sliding Scale: 10 – 20 Euro
Reservation: karten@ehrenfeldstudios.de

Barrier-free access.

Accompanying persons receive free admission.

On request we offer a touch tour before the performance. Please contact us via karten@ehrenfeldstudios.de

Foto: Raymond Ndikwe

Planlos glücklich² | with Caroline Simon

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In this workshop, improvisation technique meets personal physical and dance possibilities as well as individual fantasy, imagination and creativity.
Various principles and basics of dance improvisation are introduced and explored in solo, duo or group situations.
The focus is on the fun of dancing and the (democratic!) values of dance improvisation.
For everyone aged 16 and over, with or without previous experience.

DATE
Fri, 26.09.2025 | 6 – 9 pm

REGISTRATION
Participation fee: 45 – 145 Euro
No one will be excluded from participation for financial reasons.
Registration & Info: tanzen@ehrenfeldstudios.de

Photo: © S. Große-Wortmann

HNSL/GRTL | performing:group

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“I’m confused. Thus, I’m going to make a confused dance.” 
– Francesco D’Amelio

In a parallel universe to the well-known fairy tale, two dancers explore the repertoire of sibling gestures – from the repetition of familiar routines to utopian departures. The future is clear: fragmented dances and the same facial expressions over and over again. Tick. Tack. Ticket bag. We need to look at things from a different perspective. Going sideways helps.

DATES
Thu, 18.09.2025 | 7 pm

Fri, 19.09.2025 | 10 am
Performance for schools

TICKETS
Sliding Scale: 10 – 20 €
Reservations at: karten@ehrenfeldstudios.de

A panel discussion will take place after the performances.

Workshops for school classes are available on request.

Barrier-free access.

Accompanying persons receive free admission.

On request we offer a touch tour before the performance. Please contact us via karten@ehrenfeldstudios.de

In co-production of performing:group with Theater im Bauturm and tanzhaus nrw. In cooperation with Stiftung FUTURZWEI.

Supported by the Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of NEUSTART KULTUR; take-off: Junger Tanz; Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia; Cultural Office of the City of Cologne.

Photo: © Christopher Horne

Die Nacht in der wir Männer wurden | S. Rudat & the (i)dentityteam

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For whom are cowboys actually still sexy? In the night we have become REAL men. Or heroes? We cry under the beer table and one thing is for sure: the fries in the swimming pool are fattier than my bum. Someone had to win the mating dance. And lose the antler fight. Sure, the two of us can be a band.

Die Nacht in der wir Männer wurden is an entertaining evening of physical theater with a night-life vibe, drag and original live music that explores positive forms of modern masculinity. From a non-binary and trans*-masculine perspective, the (i)dentityteam questions what masculinity actually is and how we want to be masculine. The artists use a wide range of artistic elements such as movement, choreography, music, stand-up comedy, acting and, of course, drag! You can expect a humorous, artistic and raw deep dive into the open-air pool of identity formation, puberty, coming-outs and transition. There are songs about feelings and male roles in relationships; there are cowboys, swimwear and courtship dances; and above all, there is one important question: Is this masculine now?

Photo: Oliver Stroemer