The Festival encompasses a broad spectrum of art forms, ranging from traditional and classical to contemporary and experimental music, song, dance and drama.

Its underlying notion is

CROSSINGS

Crossings in the area of technological/scientific advances (e.g. musical composition or choreography inspired by technological achievements)

Crossings in the area of traditional costume or fashion (e.g. traditional and/or modern dance)

Crossings in the area of literature (e.g. setting a poem to music or choreography inspired by a Greek literary text)

Crossing the borders of generational or cultural differences (understanding of the past or of other cultures, vision of the future)

Crossings in the area of visual and performing arts (e.g. combining different media)

 

 

 

We particularly welcome young and upcoming artists and performers and are interested in proposals that offer a unique artistic perspective or explore new artistic pathways.

We would like to invite proposals for participation in the Ekon Festival 2009 from (a) artists, performers and groups of Greek background who are based in or retain links to the UK and (b) artists, performers and groups of other cultural or linguistic background who are interested in exploring and/or presenting different aspects of Greek culture through their work. We are accepting applications for the following events:

Saturday, 13 June 2009 – Opening Night: ‘Flights of Sound’ with ‘Rebetika: Songs of the Greek Underworld’

The evening will feature performances highlighting the vibrant and popular genre of rebetika songs - the Greek blues - and present the work of a wide range of leading rebetiko singers, composers and musicians.

A visual arts exhibition on the same theme, employing the medium of painting, drawing, photography, collage, installation art or plastic arts, will be running parallel to the music event on Saturday, 13 June and Sunday, 14 June.

Sunday, 14 June 2009: ‘Young Talent’

An all-day event inviting the participation of young talent and youth art groups from educational establishments and art colleges in a variety of performances, such as song, music, dance and theatre. The performances will be loosely linked to the cultural theme of the opening night.

Performances of traditional Greek dance will feature dances from the regions of Pontos, Asia Minor, Cappadocia/ Ikonio, Macedonia and Thrace.

Workshops in the art forms of music, drama & performance, dance or visual arts, aimed at all age groups, will be offered on Saturday, 13 June and Sunday, 14 June.

Monday, 15 June 2009: ‘Classics Revisited’ with ‘Chamber Music’

An evening of Greek classical music presenting compositions by a range of Greek and international composers and featuring musicians and singers in a number of ensembles such as a sextet, a quartet, a trio, an instrumental and a vocal duo.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009 – Closing Night: ‘The Body Electric’ with ‘Greek blues and jazz’

An evening featuring modern and contemporary but also experimental or alternative expressions in song, composition, dance, movement, theatre and performing arts, inviting new and upcoming as well as established artists to present their work. The focal point of the evening will be contemporary expressions of Greek blues and jazz.

This is a chance for the Festival to put on its more hip and exploratory face and provide an opportunity for new artists to showcase their work in ways that reflect current artistic tendencies. It is a look forward offering an exciting insight into the current Greek art scene and its place on the international stage.

 

 

 

Before applying, please read carefully the information contained in the Application Form. To apply, please complete and sign the Application Form and return it together with all supporting material to:

Ekon – Greek Music & Performing Arts Festival, Submissions, c/o The Hellenic Centre, 16-18 Paddington Street, Marylebone, London W1U 5AS. Please include a SAE if you require acknowledgement of your application.

Alternatively, you may email the Application Form to submissions@ekon.org.uk but you will still be required to post the supporting material.

We regret that we are unable to return demo CDs or DVDs.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2009. Applications to run a workshop must be received by 31 December 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at info@ekon.org.uk

 

 

 

13-16 June 2009