August 3, 2017

Do you want to take part?

WAYS OF BEING TOGETHER A performance created by Jo Fong for the closing evening of Cardiff Dance Festival 2017 19 November 2017 Would you like to be a part of this? What is it? This is a choreography for many people. It’s not a dance It’s a movement The act of bringing people together The art of bringing people together We are looking for: People who like to move and are interested in moving together Walkers, cyclists, swimmers, actors, dancers, clowns, Japanese drummers, joggers, boxers, gardeners, potterers, pilates teachers…their sons, her grandma. We are particularly looking for men who like to move. Jo’s working practice is an evolving, interactive and playful approach, incorporating aspects of release, yoga, manipulation, contact and voice techniques. A great deal of the project is about meeting people well. Jo has been working on simple instructions / games that play out. The interaction is live and people adapt, make room, save, lead, follow, get out of the way, care, grow an energy, grow an awareness, whether that be spatial, a shared joke or about the knowledge of what each human carries with them. Alongside this there has been a larger conversation about community, participation, inclusivity thinking about what it is to thrive both individually and as a community. And running through all of it the idea of Belonging. The project acts as a pathway to celebrate a resilient arts community that potentially inspires and takes action. At this time it seems essential to work on our Ways of Being Together. For more information contact Jo Fong on Facebook or via email jo@jofong.com Where     Chapter Arts Centre When      Rehearsal dates Saturday 21 October 2 - 6 p.m. Saturday 28 October 2 - 6 p.m. Saturday 4 November 2 - 6 p.m. Saturday 11 November 2 - 6 pm. Wednesday 15th 6-9pm You must be able to attend 3 out of 5 of the rehearsal dates above Dress Rehearsal date Saturday 18 November 2pm - 6 p.m. You must be able to attend the dress rehearsal. Performance date Sunday 19 November 1 - 9 p.m. Performance starts 6.00 p.m. Obviously you must be able to attend this date - it’s showtime. Unfortunately there is no pay available for this show but we will be able to provide refreshments, tea coffee and snacks and a good social lunch together on the day of the performance. ALSO An invitation to the Cardiff Dance Festival’s opening event and the performance on Wednesday 8 November AND significantly discounted tickets for other festival performances. Cardiff Dance Festival runs from 8th - 19th November 2017 AND there will be an after show party on the evening of 19 November. If you would like to take part please send Jo Fong an email by the 29th Sept with your availability for the dates above  jo@jofong.com Jo would like to thank everyone who has been involved and alongside this project. This free event has become possible through support from Arts Council of Wales, Coreo Cymru, Chapter Arts Centre, Fieldwork, Xintiandi Festival and Hull Dance.    
July 3, 2017

Open studio workshop

Ways of being Together is a series of workshops, discussions and performances centred around the idea of Belonging - A Sense of Belonging Open Studio Workshop - A physical workshop led by independent artist Jo Fong, suitable for People Who Like To Move. Dancers, actors, clowns, circus folk, pilates teachers, social workers, their sons… This is an opportunity for "dancers" and "non-dancers" alike to move together. Chapter Art Centre, Cardiff 22nd July 2-6pm Jo will lead a warm-up/class followed by pair work, group work and games that she has been developing as part of the creative process for her new work for Cardiff Dance Festival, Nov 2017. Jo’s working practice is an evolving, interactive and playful approach, incorporating aspects of release, yoga, manipulation, contact and voice techniques. The studio time has been part of a larger conversation about community, participation, inclusivity and rather than sustaining something, a body, a practice, a career... thinking about what it is to thrive both individually and as a community. Embedded in the all the gatherings have been the notion of Belonging. A sense of belonging is intimate and powerful, connected, optimitstic, unknown and curious making. To take part contact Jo Fong on Facebook or via email jo@jofong.com A great deal of the project is about meeting people well. As a language I have been working on a self generating score, simple instructions / games that play out, encouraging awareness, listening, range, presence and also simple acts like noticing. The performance and research projects that are in development are focused on creating experiences for both participant and audience member. The project acts as a pathway to celebrate a resilient arts community that potentially inspires and takes action. At this time it seems essential to work on our Ways of Being Together. Jo is interested in spontaneity, arriving with ourselves and authentic encounters. The interaction is live and people adapt, make room, save, lead, follow, get out of the way, care, grow an energy, grow an awareness, whether that be spacial, a shared joke or about the knowledge of what each human carries with them. The series of works explores ideas around making a real human connection its about an appreciation of the people around us. “At the heart of the work are the people - their skills, instincts, their aptitude for excellence, collaboration, sharing and together creating a dialogue that embraces creativity, integrity and learning.” Jo Fong Jo would like to thank everyone who has been involved and alongside this project. This free event has become possible through support from Arts Council Wales, Coreo Cymru, Chapter Arts Centre, Fieldwork, Xintiandi Arts Festival and Hull Dance.
June 28, 2017

Manchester – Choreolab 2017

Jo will lead an all day session and evening discussion as part of Manchester Dance Consortium's Choreolab 2017. 27th July Contact Theatre, Manchester. Physical workshop 10.30-6pm Discussion 6.30 -8pm The whole week of workshops runs from 25 to 29 July and is focused on:
PRIORITISING: Process, Questions & Risk
STIMULATING: Movement, Pathway, Thought & Debate
Open to emerging & established professional artists with dance/movement backgrounds & artists interested in choreographic questions.
Artists who are leading sessions include:
Charlie Morrissey Lenka Flory Paul Blackman
Morning classes are available and Choreolab are are offering full week, one day, two day and single sessions passes.
 
June 22, 2017

Classes in Cardiff

Professional Level Jo will lead morning company classes for members of National Dance Company Wales Classes are free for guests although there are limited places. If you wish to join please contact the company. E Kelly.barr@ndcwales.co.uk WHEN 9.45 - 11.15am 29, 30 June 4, 6, 11, 13, 14, 31 July 1, 15, 17 August WHERE Dance House Wales Millennium Centre Pierhead Street Cardiff Bay Cardiff CF10 4PH

June 5, 2017

Cardiff Dance Festival 2017

8 to 19 November 2017 Over the twelve day festival you'll be able to discover some rich and fantastic work, with artists and companies from Wales, the UK and a variety of international countries.  Jo will be creating a new work for the closing night of the festival. waysofbeing
May 13, 2017

Xintiandi Festival 2017

Jo heads to 2017 Xintiandi Festival creating a new work with local performers. Shanghai Xintiandi May 25 to June 3 During the 10-day festival, 16 works by artists from nine countries, such as China, the UK, France and Poland, will be shown at over 170 performances and events, such as audio-visual shows, concerts, mime, cafe plays and street performances in tent theater, cafes, bars, restaurants, museums and squares. Bridge created by Jo Fong The site specific performance will be a Free Event to audiences and presented twice daily throughout the festival 0312_11
April 19, 2017

Kitchen Table – Hull 2017

As part of Hull's Transgression Dance Festival Jo will be hosting a gathering. Jo has been working on ways to meet people well, how to engage in fresh and open dialogue. Her new work and research involves gathering people and a conversation about place, relationship and community and a sense of belonging. Venue: Hull Truck Theatre 2-3pm Places are limited. If you would like to book a place contact hulldance@hullcc.gov.uk
April 14, 2017

Workshop led by Jo Fong – Glasgow

Dance International Glasgow
DIG presents - Jo Fong workshop: Ways of Being Together
For more information and to book a place click HERE Free event

10th May 2017

11.00am - 1.00pm

Tramway

Images by Jamie Morgans

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March 30, 2017

Hull UK City of Culture

Call out to Performers Workshop and Performance Opportunity Jo will be working with performers in Hull for Transgression Dance Festival. Belonging will be a pilot performance for the opening night of the festival. Jo Fong is creating a choreography for many people It’s not a dance. It’s a movement. Its not a disco. Its a way to be Together. It starts with a walk and ends in a party. The performance celebrates a sense of belonging. The work is about the wanting to take part, wanting to exchange, share, receive, learn and meet people well. This is about how we live, how open are we, how does this reflect and translate into other aspects of our lives, what are our shared histories, relationships, sense of place. Among us how can we cultivate a sense of belonging. The project notices the value of the collective or the individual, unity or choice. It invites the potential of meeting people well, being present and nurtures connection. Details and dates: 3 day devising workshop Saturday 29 April, Sunday 30 April and Bank Holiday Monday 1 May 10.30am until 5pm daily Rehearsal and Preview Event Friday 12 May 2pm until the performance time 8pm There will be a DJ set into the evening. Venue: Hull College Dance Studio, Horncastle Building This opportunity is open to dancers, actors, performers, pilates teachers, social workers anyone who considers themselves a mover and is interested in moving together. For more information or if you would like to be involved in this new work email hulldance@hullcc.gov.uk Screen Shot 2017-04-19 at 17.34.56
February 22, 2017

PITCH heads to Glasgow and Cardiff

UK Touring 2017

A collaboration between artists Skye Reynolds and Jo Fong “A tremendously intelligent, brilliantly wry piece of performance” Festmag Dance House,  Cardiff 7th April 7.30pm Book Here Tramway, Glasgow Dance International Glasgow (DIG) 9th and 10th May  2017 Book Here Free Events at DIG DIG presents Art as Action: Women Making Art (Discussion) for details click HERE Adult workshop led by Jo Fong. For details click HERE