About – Unplugged Dance

IDENTITY

Unplugged Dance is a newborn dance platform focusing on research and education, based in the village of Neochori, Lefkada. This artist lead initiative was inspired by Kyveli Kouvatsi and Giorgos Sioras Deligiannis with the aim of exploring the present independent dance scene, its ways and methods, its interests and togethernesses. Their own quest in research and education made their need to connect with similar individuals that pursue a way of doing what they do with care and with the intention of sharing and communicating it, even more important and vivid. The arterial idea of Unplugged Dance has sprung from a yearning to connect dance as a practice of embodiment and other relative practices with a vivid community, in a sustainable and decentralized way that preserves the independent nature of the enterprise.

VISION

Our vision is to facilitate a strong educational program, supported by local and international active practitioners and researchers, based on alternative educational models and their potentials in dance and somatics. In doing so, we hope to familiarize a broader audience with the present corporeal practices and methods. Furthermore we want Unplugged Dance to constructively contribute to the broader dialogue around issues of contemporary education and research on dance and soma related practices.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Instructors

Through an open call we select artists, researchers and/or educators coming from the field of dance or other soma related practices and having a research of their own to share, one that leads to a specific method, methodology or simply a way of doing what they do that relates with the core of our interest.

Participants

Everyone that wants to explore dance as a practice of embodiment and other relative methods or techniques in a serene natural location. Participants will have the chance to experience original workshops at first hand from inspiring educators and artists.

Professionals

For professional artists, researchers and/or educators that are looking for a residency within a vivid community Unplugged Dance provides accommodation and research space throughout the year, where individuals coexist, exchange feedback and develop their creative ideas.

Dates for the residencies are being announced along with the related Open Call and differ from the dates of the educational program.

Why are we interested in an embodiment approach?

Practices of embodiment aren’t something new. They are related to Yoga, Tai Chi and among others, many approaches to meditation. In 1976 Thomas Hanna introduced the term Somatics for the first time to include a number of practices that are all about embodiment in their approach and have already been flourishing in the 60s. Since then, they have been growing in context and number. In dance, we find more and more often techniques and methods related to improvisation that shift the approach from shape to sensations and from goal oriented to inner research.

In Unplugged Dance we choose to emphasize on the importance of embodiment in dance education, research and choreography, in order to approach dance in a more open and inclusive way that can relate to self-determination, empowerment and expression. Such an approach is more than a need to escape from instructions or an image orientated approach. It is a way to strengthen the ability to listen to yourself by listening to your body, a dance -metaphorically- and literally speaking beyond the pursuit of a perfect form that serves a liberating process of acceptance and joy.

Our intention is to meet and highlight dance methods or techniques that may exist around the world and approach dance as a practice of embodiment.

We hope that this initiative can be one among others that can serve such a dance.

Giorgos Sioras Deligiannis

Graduate of National School of Dance (2014), dancer, choreographer and curator in the field of dance research and education. He curated Platform for the performing arts Meta (2015-2019), meetings for artistic research and creation (2018-2019) and co-curated festival Lycabettus (2020-2021). For the past seven years collective initiatives have been a main source of interest, reflection and a place to be. His personal artistic research raises questions regarding identity and creates practices that provoke the relation between the public and the private space. Since 2018 he has showcased two series of works, The Selfy Series and Regulatory Bodies, both partly founded by the Greek Ministry of Arts. Since 2009 he has been a yoga instructor and currently he has been giving classes mainly outdoors throughout the year.

Full bio

Kyveli Kouvatsi

Kyveli Kouvatsi (born in Lefkada, Greece) has recently graduated from National School of Dance (2021), and she is finishing her studies in School of Drama – Faculty of Fine Arts – Auth. As a recent graduate, she would prefer not to crystallize a new identity yet. She lives in Athens and seeks different ways to exist through dance, research – kinetic or theoretical – sharing and learning. In 2020 she started working on the practice of Losing Ground, with Giorgos Sioras Deligiannis, evolving together the research mainly in terms of teaching methodology, and facilitating a first workshop (Losing Ground | Suggestions on consensual movement) in October 2021. Since then they have been teaching open Losing Ground courses and continue their common practice. She is currently in the post-production of her documentary regarding professional dance education in Greece. Her tendency to be, dance and rejoice with other people close to nature, as well as her love for the village where she grew up, led her along with Giorgos Sioras Deligiannis to the initiative of Unplugged Dance.

Full bio

Paleochori

Paleochori is a camp, located on the hills above the famous Nidri of Lefkada. Four and a half wooded hectares of land, on a side hill that enjoys a breathtaking view of Prigiponisia (a complex of seven islands, Meganisi, Skorpios, Skorpidi, Sparti, Madouri, Cheloni and Tsokari)

The remote site of Paleochori camp offers only sounds of nature while the surrounding mountains provide a uniform evening shadow. You can reach the camp by a 5 minutes drive from Neochori or 15 minutes from Nidri. The land is cleaned and leveled with a number of retaining walls more than a hundred years old that have been recently restored, so that tents can be placed in different locations. The main element that stands out in the land is a large wooden patio of a whopping 95 square meters (9m X 10,5m).

The space is also equipped with autonomous wc facilities, showers with hot water and specially designed areas for resting in the shadow under the trees with swings and hammocks. Our primal need was to treat the surrounding space with care and respect for the environment and all the living beings of the land. For that reason we use only biodegradable soap and shampoo in the showers. We also use solar lamps in order to light the area.

φ | Food path

Food path is a guesthouse located at the entrance of Neochori village and 20 minutes walk from Paleochori camp. It provides three separate Studios for accommodation. Two studios with three single beds each and one studio with separate private rooms but sharing w/c. All studios are equipped with a small kitchen, table, an A/C and bathroom. It is also equipped with a professional kitchen where our food will be cooked, from the experienced team of Food path. Also has a vegetable garden, a wooden oven, a private parking and a wooden deck that we will also use for our classes.

Neochori is a mountain village (300m) of Lefkada, about 5km from Nidri. Serenity and impressive view as well as absence of shops are distinguishing features of the village. Instead, there is plenty of green, four springs and a number of paths which are taken care of by the village community every year.

This village was once abandoned by the locals, when they gradually began to approach the coastal areas. Years later, around the late 70’s and early 80’s, it was rediscovered by people looking for a quiet place close to nature. Somehow it started to attract hippies, artists, people from different parts of the world and finally a community was created.

Today only a few of the families that first settled there remain in the village, but new ones have come, creating a mixture of people and cultures. In recent years, cultural association has been activated and the old school of the village has been renovated, where various activities take place, such as exhibitions, presentations, film screenings, festivals, seminars, etc. Especially in the summer months the village hosts a lot of people from different parts of the world.

Lefkada is a Greek island in the Ionian sea located on the West Coast of Greece. It is famous worldwide for its stunningly beautiful beaches with transparent, turquoise waters, combined with the rich flora covering the mainland.

You can find below some useful information on how you can get to the island of Lefkada.

FLYING TO LEFKADA:

The nearest airport to Lefkada is that of Preveza-Aktion (PVK), approximately 25 minutes away by car.

In case you are coming to Greece from abroad and you prefer to arrive at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) you can take a bus from Athens Long Distance Bus Terminal ‘KTEL’. The distance is 340 km by bus, almost 5 hours including the 20′ break along the road.

From the Airport take the city bus (X93) or a taxi (taxi fare is about 30€) to the Athens Long Distance Bus Terminal ‘KTEL’ (Address: Kifissou st. 100, Tel: +30 210 5124910-11) from where buses depart to Lefkada. The one way ticket price is 34 euros.

Bus terminal website: https://ktel-lefkadas.gr/athens/

DRIVING TO LEFKADA:

Lefkada may be an island but it is connected to the mainland by a 50 meters floating bridge. So it is easy to reach the island just by driving, through the Greek National Road 42 which is a highway in northwestern Aetolia-Acarnania that links the town of Lefkada with the Greek National Road 5 (Antirrio – Arta – Ioannina) in Amfilochia, passing through the town of Vonitsa.

FROM LEFKADA CITY TO NEOCHORI

The first town you reach by entering the island is Lefkada city, the capital and main town of the island of Lefkada, located in its northern and northeastern part.

From there, you can reach the village of Neochori by taxi or bus.

In case you are coming by car you can easily find the village on Google Maps https://goo.gl/maps/H58Z952eP1BmbieFA . More specifically, the village is located above Nidri, after the village of Paleokatouna. The duration is approximately 25-30 minutes away from the town.
In case you take the bus, you will have to take it from the Bus Terminal Ktel Lefkadas , and take the departure to Nidri (click here). The ticket price is between 1,60 euros to 3,40 euros. Since you reach Nidri town, you can get a taxi from there to Neochori. There is a taxi station near the bus station, or we can help you by calling one on request at least one day earlier. The taxi fare is about 10euros.
In case you prefer a taxi to transport you the whole way from Lefkada city, we can help you by calling one on request at least one day earlier. The taxi fare is about 30 euros.

FROM NEOCHORI TO NIDRI, LEFKADA AND THE REST OF THE ISLAND

Since Sundays in our programme will be free time, we provide you with some useful information in order to explore other places on the island. We can also help you by calling a taxi on request at least one day earlier.

Local routes by bus: https://ktel-lefkadas.gr/en/routes/local/

You can also visit the very up to date website of Lefkada Slow Guide (here) to seek more information about the island of Lefkada.

Volunteering is a key practice in Unplugged that plays an important role in the proper regulation of the programme allowing us to offer a partial experience of the programme for free at the same time.

For more information please feel free to send us your message via Contact us section and get informed for all the volunteering possibilities.

LAST CALL – UNPLUGGED DANCE | CALL FOR WORKSHOPS | SEASON AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

10.2.2022

Unplugged Dance has extended its open call until 15th of February!

We are currently looking for dance artists, researchers or educators in the field of dance and other practices of embodiment that are interested in sharing a workshop.

Where: Neochori, Lefkada, Greece

When: One week, during 22nd of August to 11th of September, the week will be determined in mutual consultation

Deadline for applications: February 15, 2022

Unplugged dance is having its first open call, and we couldn’t be more excited about it!

Unplugged Dance is a newborn dance platform focusing on research and education, based in the village of Neochori, Lefkada. This artist lead initiative was inspired by Kyveli Kouvatsi and Giorgos Sioras Deligiannis with the aim of exploring the present independent dance scene, its ways and methods, its interests and togethernesses. Their own quest in research and education made even more important and vivid the need to connect with similar individuals that pursue a way of doing what they do with care and with the intention of sharing and communicating it. The arterial idea of Unplugged Dance has sprung from a yearning to connect dance as a practice of embodiment and other relative practices with a vivid community, in a sustainable and decentralized way that preserves the independent nature of the enterprise.

The upcoming summer Unplugged Dance will host three weeks of workshops and classes among other activities in the serene village of Neochori in Lefkada, Greece. During a full week of workshops the participants will have the chance to deepen their knowledge in contemporary practices that subjectify the corporal experience and yet are specific in method.

This first open call is seeking original workshops that emerge from personal research and are linked with practices of embodiment. Candidates must have a research of their own to share, one that leads to a specific method, methodology or simply a way of doing what they do. No special degrees are required nor years of experience, yet they will be asked to share relative material online in any way they prefer and share it through a google drive folder. If the proposed workshop has never been presented before, a more analytical presentation would be appreciated.

Conditions:
Leading a workshop in english in two seperate groups for six days (a total of 24 hours)

We provide:
Payment of 960 euro for the teacher (cost for invoice payment only)
Room to stay in the village
Three meals per day for seven days
For foreign teachers, a part of their travel expenses can be paid after arrangement

To apply
Please use a google drive folder with your name and the name of the workshop (eg. Kyveli Kouvatsi_Unplugged Dance) to upload your files and make it shareable with unpluggeddance@gmail.com.

In case you don’t have a gmail account or you’re having trouble uploading your files, send your files directly with an email.

Documents: CV, workshop description, or any other related info you prefer in order to present your work (in pdf format)
Photos: in jpg format.
Please for sharing your videos use links.

Contact details:
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpluggeddance/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unpluggeddance/

Unplugged Dance does not receive state grants or any other private funding. The cost of the program is fully covered by the workshops’ cost, personal work and the valuable help of friends and volunteers.

If you wish to support our project you can submit your offer named or anonymously to the following account of the National Bank with justification “support Unplugged”.

Beneficiary’s name: TRIPODIUM COLLECTIVE
Beneficiary’s address: DIOGENOUS 28, KORIDALLOS ,ATHENS
Bank’s name: NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE S.A.
Bank’s address: AIOLOU STREET 86, ATHENS
IBAN: GR8801100860000008600396249
SWIFT/BIC CODE: ETHNGRAA

Our priority is to make the experience of Unplugged Dance as much pleasant as possible whilst guaranteeing the safety of every participant and member of staff. Fortunately, the timing and the peculiarity of our space is a privilege, as all our common and practicing spaces are outdoor.

We don’t know what the measures in place will be like, during the programme as the indications from health authorities change and adapt continuously. In any case, we will follow every necessary measure as the following:

the participants attending the workshops will have to present at least one of the following in order to attend the programme: a negative PCR test taken 72h or less before the start of the programme; a negative rapid test taken 48h or less before the start of the programme; proof of having had covid in the last 6 months or proof of having been fully vaccinated 15 days prior to the 21st August, the start day of the programme
hydroalcoholic gel will be available in all of the practicing and common spaces
adaptability of the spaces (distribution of activities, access, etc) in order to comply with every health requirement
use of face masks whenever needed

What age groups is the program aimed at?

Unplugged Dance is an all levels program for adults of any age. As long as one wants to be part of a co-moving practice and community is more than welcome to participate in our workshops.

Do I need to have previous dancing experience?

Unplugged Dance is an all levels program for adults of any age including professionals and people that have no experience at all. Everyone that wants to explore dance as a practice of embodiment and other relative methods or techniques in a serene natural location is more than welcome.

Why are we interested in an embodiment approach?

Practices of embodiment aren’t something new. They are related to Yoga, Tai Chi and among others, many approaches to meditation. In 1976 Thomas Hanna introduced the term Somatics for the first time to include a number of practices that are all about embodiment in their approach and have already been flourishing in the 60s. Since then, they have been growing in context and number. In dance, we find more and more often techniques and methods related to improvisation that shift the approach from shape to sensations and from goal oriented to inner research.

In Unplugged Dance we choose to emphasize on the importance of embodiment in dance education, research and choreography, in order to approach dance in a more open and inclusive way that can relate to self-determination, empowerment and expression. Such an approach is more than a need to escape from instructions or an image orientated approach. It is a way to strengthen the ability to listen to yourself by listening to your body, a dance -metaphorically- and literally speaking beyond the pursuit of a perfect form that serves a liberating process of acceptance and joy.

Our intention is to meet and highlight dance methods or techniques that may exist around the world and approach dance as a practice of embodiment.

We hope that this initiative can be one among others that can serve such a dance.

How will I get to Neochori?

You can find detailed information on how you can get to Neochori Lefkada in “About” –> “lefkada”.

What accommodation options are there?

We offer two types of accommodation options: camping and room in two hostels of the village.

You can read more about accommodation options in “Workshops” –> “Services”.

What are the facilities of Paleochori camp?

The land is cleaned and leveled with a number of retaining walls more than a hundred years old that have been recently restored, so that tents can be placed in different locations.

The space is also equipped with autonomous wc facilities, showers with hot water and specially designed areas for resting in the shadow under the trees with swings and hammocks. In addition there will be a suitably designed area for meals. At the moment there is no kitchen, no electricity for appliances. Our primal need was to treat the surrounding space with care and respect for the environment and all the living beings of the land. For that reason we use only biodegradable soap and shampoo in the showers.

It will be possible to charge a mobile phone at specific times of the day, as well as at the Foodpath area. Throughout the camping there will be solar self-charging night lights.

Note: The campsite is not accessible by car. From the road to the area where the tents are located there is an accessible uphill path of about 100m.

What would it be good to bring with me at camping?

In addition to your tent, it would be good to have with you:

-Sleeping bag

-Substrate

-Pillow

-Personal items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, shower gel, bath towel etc.

Our primal need was to treat the surrounding space with care and respect for the environment and all the living beings of the land. For that reason we use only biodegradable soap and shampoo in the showers. We suggest you get the biodegradable shampoos and shower gels of your choice, however there will be the possibility to buy them in our space.

-Hand light. You will need it mainly for your routes in the village.

In addition, if you can and want to bring folding chairs and / or a camping table, or anything else you think would be useful for your stay on stage, do not hesitate to bring it.

IDENTITY

VISION

WHO IS IT FOR?

Volunteering is a key practice in Unplugged that plays an important role in the proper regulation of the programme allowing us to offer a partial experience of the programme for free at the same time.

For more information please feel free to send us your message via Contact us section and get informed for all the volunteering possibilities.

Please feel free to send us your questions!