Sampad present two new commissions, two Festivals, premieres and world-class artists
Sampad’s exciting Autumn 2019 Season has been announced this week.
For nearly 30 years Sampad has connected people and communities with South Asian and British Asian arts and heritage, playing a cutting-edge role in the creative economy, and this season is no different!
The Autumn season will run from September to November offering a diverse programme of events from captivating cinema, world dance premier’s, ground-breaking festivals, and internationally-renowned musicians. With fourteen events to choose from, jam-packed with incredibly talented local and international artists, there will be something for everyone to enjoy this season! Highlights include;
The season kicks off with a docu-film by Ashok Vish, Children Playing God which follows the lives of five young boys during their rehearsal period for the month-long Ramlila performance, exploring the gap between reality and fiction as the young boys temporarily transcend into the divine. (19 September, Midlands Arts Centre Hexagon, 7.30pm)
Next up, Sampad showcase Aziz Ibrahim, former Stone Roses, Ian Brown & Simply Red guitarist, for our first Mid-day Mantra of the season. Set in the atmospheric Centrala Space in Digbeth, Aziz will present his brand new music and visual arts project , funded by Arts Council.(21 September, Centrala, 12pm)
BEDLAM Arts & Mental Health Festival opens Tuesday 1 October – Saturday 12 October. This year Sampad have commissioned a brand-new theatre piece, No Bond So Strong, written by Olivia Winteringham,which addresses mental health & perinatal depression in new mothers. Taken from real-life conversations & research, 3 actors perform of the most intimate and challenging moments of new mothers’ lives.
(4 & 5 October, Midlands Arts Centre Foyle Studio, 7pm)
Birmingham Weekender (in Digbeth) returns this yearand Sampad is joining forces with Eastside projects filling Digbeth with the sound of vibrant contemporary South Asian and world music. Internationally renowned South Asian band Kefaya and Elaha Sooror and percussionist Bernhard Schimpelsberger will be performing throughout Saturday with pop-up solos, duets and performances in the evening.
(Saturday 5 October, Digbeth & Eastside Projects, all day & evening)
Cutting-edge British choreographer and dancer Subhash Viman premiere’s Classical Encounters & Metamorphic. In his visually striking performance Subhash performs three choreographic footprints from Birmingham, Bangalore and New York with artistic direction from award winning choreographer, Gary Clarke, lighting design by Hector Murray and music by Shammi Pithia. (Tuesday 15 October, Midlands Arts Centre Theatre, 7.30pm)
Sampad are delighted to be presenting a brand new dance commission; Breaking Ground by Sona Lisa Dance Company. This classical and contemporary kathak story of migration following the journey of Artistic Director Sonia Chandaria Tillu’s family, tracing her grandmother’s move from her homeland of Gujarat, culminating with Sonia’s journey to the UK. (Saturday 30 November, Midlands Arts Centre Foyle Studio, 8pm)
Prices start from as little as £5 with a number of free events. For more information about Sampad’s Season please visit www.sampad.org.uk or call 0121 446 3260
