International Festival of Contemporary Theatre

Programme

Sons of Sissy

Simon Mayer

4, 5 October 19.00, Ģertrūdes ielas teātris | 15 and 10 Eur

The focus of Sons of Sissy is the universe of traditions, folk dances and folk music from which the Upper Austrian country lad Simon Mayer originates.
In an experimental manner, four performers and musicians make use of traditional alpine live music, various group dances and ritualised practices. Liberating them from conservativism and conventions, they establish an unseen fusion of artistic reinterpretations and temporary social attributions of meaning. Defying categorisation and pigeonholing, the Sons of Sissy do everything they can to live up to their name as they conduct themselves as part weird folk-music quartet, part experimentally playful ritual dance combo, using humour to radically disrupt the hackneyed male role models in old traditions.

This performance is part of the Homo Novus festival programme ‘Austrian Focus’

About artist

Simon Mayer studied at the Vienna State Opera Ballet School and P.A.R.T.S in Brussels, and was member of the Vienna State Opera Ballet. In 2009, he founded the band “Rising halfmoon” as singer, guitarist and songwriter. As dancer/choreographer and musician he was involved in productions of Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker/ROSAS (The Song), Wim Vandekeybus (Frisking) and Zita Swoon. In 2014 Simon released his latest music album Monkeymind.

His choreographic repertoire includes solos, duets and group pieces that have been performed internationally. Simon was Artist in Residence at Theatre de L’L in Brussels and is the artistic director of the festival “spiel”, which he started together with his brothers and the association spiel. Simon is teaching contemporary dance, community dance, traditional dance and voice techniques.

Credits

Idea, choreography, performance, music: Simon Mayer
Performance, music: Matteo Haitzmann, Patric Redl, Manuel Wagner
Special instruments: Hans Tschiritsch
Stage and costume design: Andrea Simeon
Lightdesign: Hannes Ruschbaschan, Martin Walitza
Artistic consultant: Frans Poelstra
Production: Sophie Schmeiser, Elisabeth Hirner
Co-production: Kopf hoch, brut Wien, Gessnerallee Zurich, zeitraumexit Mannheim and Tanz ist Dornbirn
Touring production: Sophie Schmeiser and Hiros
With the kind support of the City of Vienna’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Arts Division and the Culture Division of the Federal Chancellery of Austria, Kulturland Oberösterreich, Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Kunstenwerkplaats Pianofabriek, WP Zimmer Antwerp, im_flieger, Kunst- und Kulturverein SPIEL

Event in Riga is made possible by INTPA – International Net for Dance and Performance Austria of Tanzquartier Wien with funds by Bundeskanzleramt Austria and BMEIA

Workshop with Simon Mayer "Tradition and rituals"

October 5 11:00 theatre "Ģetrūdes ielas teātris"

The Schuhplattler is more than just a traditional courtship dance from the Alpine region and should no longer be only reserved for men. So how can we change it? We will learn traditional Schuhplattler, invent new ones and enrich it with related forms such as body percussion, contemporary dance, improvisational elements and ritual practices, without losing the fun and group dynamics of folk dances. But it is not only the Schuhplattler! We experiment with yodeling, Juchatzen, traditional clapping rhythms (Paschen) and whiping! Same here: we will learn the traditional form and combine it with other elements. In the workshop technical, spiritual and ritual aspects as well as healing approaches of these traditions are taught.

The workshop runs 1,5 hours and is free of charge.

The workshop is open to contemporary dance professionals and students on the first-come first-served basis. For maxiumum of 15 persons. Please apply by sending an email to laura@theatre.lv