Like a living artwork in motion, a spectacular fusion of contemporary dance, martial arts and soundscapes blasted from boom bikes will bring Inside Out Dorset, the biennial international outdoor arts festival, to an unforgettably joyful finale in Weymouth on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September.
With hundreds of silk pennants and flags, community dance groups – with dancers aged 10 to 87 years old – will join a cast of professional international dancers in Sonnet of Samsara, a breath-taking promenade performance that starts at the Town Bridge before wending its way to the beach where the action unfolds in front of the Esplanade. Created by Jayachandran Palazhy of Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts in Bengalaru, choreographer Charlene Low, and Ali Pretty of UK arts charity Kinetika, in partnership with Activate Performing Arts, the evolving, immersive experience also marks the conclusion of Beach of Dreams, a UK-wide coastal arts festival exploring the unique heritage, cultures and climate futures of our coastlines.
“It’s so inspiring to bring people together and be part of this amazing story that is coming to an end in Weymouth,” says Charlene Low, who specialises in creating inclusive, inspirational community programmes through professional dance.
“The international collaboration is with Jayachandran who has presented Sonnet of Samsara with community groups and his professional dancers in India, and now we’re performing our bespoke version in Weymouth, which is the last date on the Beach of Dreams tour that started in Tilbury and included Great Yarmouth and Wandsworth before ending up in Weymouth.”
Set in a future ravaged by the effects of climate change, Sonnet of Samsara opens with a gift of precious water delivered by boat and presented to a Carnival Queen figure who leads the procession through the town to the beach where the performance unfolds. Environmental and existential concerns have been at the forefront of the creation process, as well as themes such as unity, transformation and the passage of time.
To take part as a volunteer performer you can learn simple choreography on the day then dance and carry a pennant in the main event in the evening. Rehearsals will take place on Weymouth Beach from 2.30-3.30pm on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September, and you’ll perform at 7pm. (You’ll need to be able to attend a briefing at 5.30pm). No experience necessary, just an enthusiasm and a willingness to be part of a shared creative experience. All ages and abilities welcome (under 18s will need a parent or guardian with them).
Related audio: Inside Out Dorset is coming soon
Other Inside Out Dorset locations include the following:
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Town Quay, Christchurch
Summerhouse Hill, Yeovil
Corfe Castle
Sonnet of Samsara. Image: Jayne Jackson Photography
Sonnet of Samsara. Image: Jayne Jackson Photography