Somatic Tratata: rhythm, rapture and romance + FOLKDANCE PARTY 
Hannah Shakti Bühler & Simon Mayer

Tra–ta–ta, Ta-ta-ta / Tra–ta–ta, Ta-ta-ta / Tra–ta–ta, Ta-ta-ta / Tra–ta–ta, Ta-ta-ta ,…“ breathing, voice and movement:” these are the three key elements of Hannah Shakti Bühler and Simon Mayer’s piece Sonic Tratata. The repeating rhythms of the southern Italian pizzica tarantata meet alpine folk dances and pop culture: this is a dance concert of animated breathing, vibrations and affects, that re-evaluates the dynamics of heteronormative coupledom and gender roles. In a frenzied and humorous duet, the performers playfully explore and test each other’s boundaries.

Hannah Shakti Bühler and Simon Mayer have previously devised choreographic works and research projects focussing on the individual and the community. In Somatic Tratata they now turn their attention to power relations in the context of traditional dances for couples. Here they have been inspired by the work of Terrence Real (Relational Couple Life Therapy), Betty Martins (The Wheel of Consent), Corine Sombrun (TranceScienceInstitute) and Karoline Wibmer. By challenging heteronormative forms, Somatic Tratata proposes a new tradition of dances for couples. At the end of the piece Bühler and Mayer will return to their artistic roots and invite the audience to a FOLK DANCE PARTY where they can experience the art and power of celebration as the origin of many traditional dances on a compered folk dancefloor. 

Photo: Fabian Stransky