TRACES - 2026 Ouidah - January 4th to 17th

SCHEDULE

 

Arrival Date:   JANUARY 2nd or 3rd   /   Departure Date:  JANUARY 18th or 19th January

Classes will happen in different venues in Ouidah, some in an open-air space on sand.

 

 

SUNDAY 4th 

17.00                Welcoming and orientation circle

18.00 to 19.30  Dancing Bodies  

 

MONDAY 5th to WEDNESDAY 7th

9.00 to 12.00    Dancing Bodies - Axis Syllabus + Traditional Dances & Music

17.00 to 19.30  Creative Lab

 

THURSDAY 8th to SATURDAY 10th

FIELD VISITS VODOUN NATIONAL CELEBRATION

 

 

SUNDAY  11th    Rest Day 

 

FROM MONDAY 12th to FRIDAY 16th 

9.00 to 12.00   Dancing Bodies - Axis Syllabus + Traditional Dances

17.00 to 19.30  Creative Lab

 

SATURDAY 17th 

9.00 to  12:00  Rehearsal

18.00 to 21.00  Leaving Traces Performative evening & Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of SONAGNON at CCRI / OUIDAH

 

 

 

* see CURRICULUM for Classes  & Lab Description

* Local conditions might require us to alter the schedule. Classes will be taught in French. An English translation will be provided if necessary

 

DANCING BODIES / Dance training + Field Visits

Class Descriptions & Teachers

The Axis Syllabus  Somatological Alignment - Cues to transmitting information about the body in motion

Teachers:  Francesca Pedullà, Nuria Bowart, Kerwin Barrington

Our current physiology is a common heritage, a mix of biological, chemical and cultural bodies, unified and selected by nature over million of years. We carry knowledge of intuitive experiences, results or processes of anatomical and biomechanical studies, an accumulated understanding of physics, functionality and efficiency combined with a rich sensory network. This gives us the possibility to reflect on commonalities in almost anything we do, for example when dancing traditional or contemporary styles. We can analyze traditional approaches, discover variations on pattern combinations, beliefs, practices and attitudes towards the body, and sort out what is useful for our current context. Using recent biomechanical studies, we can consider all these layers of life in ourselves in order to find more sincerity and meaning while dancing. 

 

Ancient Kinetic Wisdom  Analysis and reelaboration of traditional dances

Teachers: Francesca Pedullà, Eric Acakpo, Richard Adossou, Bignon Fortin Acakpo

Live Music: Eric Acakpo; Aliou Guessere and invited musicians

 

During the work, we will discover the universal bio-mechanic and the subtle, rhythmic principles on which some of the traditional motifs are built. We will look at the tools that the Axis Syllabus can offer us to read, analyze and embody the traditional dances from Benin. (spinal mechanics, alignment review, basic physic, elastic recoil…). We will step further by learning some traditional dances and relating them to their context (content, meaning, spatial relation and dialogue with the rhythm). With the help of our musicians we will discover the fundamental architecture on which the rhythms that we are dancing are built. We will analyze the relationship between the main rhythms and we will start to recognize the voice of the soloist drum. Moreover we will use the gathered experience to move towards creative collective and personal re-elaboration. 

 

Music Analysis

Teacher: Eric Acakpo

Live Music: Aliou Guessere and invited musicians

In the tradition, dance and music are inextricably linked and in continuous dialogue. Mirroring each other they come together in a single language that is in continuous metamorphosis. During this workshop we will discover the fundamental architecture on which the rhythms that we are dancing are built. We will analyze the relationship between the main rhythms and we will start to recognize the voice of the soloist drum.

 

Field Visits -  Observing ritual as a practice for transmutation  -  a collective experience

Facilitators: Eric Acakpo , Francesca Pedullà

 

As an essential part of the program we will visit a few Vodoun ceremonies, in order to contextualize our research and be exposed to the social and spiritual roles with which the dance and music are vested. This is an invitation to experience and re- elaborate collectively their powerful potential for expression. The inquiry revolves around these fundamental questions: How do ancient values and practices adapt to and manifest in contemporary society? Is it possible that ancient and current performative practices could enrich each other?

 

 

!!!! It will be possible for the participants to organize private percussion classes with our musicians !!!!

  

LEAVING TRACES / Creative Enquiry & Final Performance 

Facilitators: Francesca Pedullà, Eric Acakpo

Invited Expert: Kerwin Barrington, Nuria Bowart - Photograph, video testimonial: Barbara Calì

Leaving Traces represents a return to the origins of our project, which sought to unravel and manifest the potential for dance and music to become a bridge-builder and a means for social, political and cultural inquiry, as well as the desire to make the most of years of collective experience, and leave tangible testimonies on which to continue building.

 

Art is admittedly not an instrument for changing the world. Art, as it entertains us, creates a bridge to an imaginary world beyond the quotidian, stimulating the senses and the mind of the observer. Although art might not be able to dissolve or resolve social issues, it can serve to inspire and galvanize collective energies for that task.

 

In the first part of the Lab we will mostly train to observe our ideas a priori, our behaviors and our projections. We will interweave different human sciences (ancient and contemporary)  with the art of movement, in order to refine the relationship between sensing, acting and thinking. Through games, practices, improvisations and discussions, we will practice how to listen, watch, receive and exchange.

We will  focus on two fundamental questions:

• How do we perceive contemporary Benin? Can we put these perceptions in relationship with other contemporaneities? 
• What defines individuality or collectivity? What are the benefits and limits of either?

In the second part of the lab we will work collectively to create a methodology, a series of intuitive associations  to see how, as artists, we can look at these complexities while letting them pass through our bodies to manifest vividly.

Kerwin Barrington's  intervention will open up a possible perspective on which we can build new things together.

Finally, we will build a performative structure which we will present at a local venue at the end of the investigative period.

PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS

 

TRACES  is open to 35 people (20 residents in Africa, 15 from abroad)

 

The Fee For non African Residents is:  600€

 

The participation fee includes:

Dance training ( 3 hours each morning)

Creative lab & Final Performance

Field visits 

 

 

- Does not include Accommodation, Meals

- Does not include Travel and Local Transport

 

 

ACCOMODATION: 

Rooms in shared houses  with Kitchen in the city Center

PRICES:

single room:  255€

shared room : 180€

REGISTRATION and CANCELATION POLICY

Confirm your registration by the 1st October 2025

Non residents must send 400€ registration fee by the 15th of  October 2025

Non residents must reserve their flight and submit a copy of their plane ticket before the 10th November 2025

Every participant is responsible to inform themselves about local visa, vaccination regulations.

The organization can provide invitation letters if required by visa regulations or if the participants need to apply for funding.

Traces is a high risk undertaking. 

The  registration fee is non-refundable. However In case of illness, serious family problems or canceled flight, TRACES will return 50% of the deposit (200€)

 

Responsibilities :

All participants must guarantee their participation in the entire curriculum

All participants are encouraged to help with basic community tasks.

 

Transport, Housing :
The organization will undertake to reserve housing, transport from and to the airport in Cotonou, 

Traces will only take care of transport from and to Cotonou, housing and collateral logistics from the 2nd to the 19th  of January.  

 

 

To know more about us : SONAGNON.ORG