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WARRIOR WITHIN 2023
(Lwanda Magere)
Artistic concept: Godwin Otieno
Lights :Liisa Kyrönseppä and Godwin otieno
Warrior Within is a dance and theatre performance which borrows inspiration from an African folklore in western Kenya named "Lwanda Magere" who was renowned for his unrivaled fighting skills and willpower to defend his people and village.
This performance dives into the idea of what it means to be a warrior or hero in todays society in correlation to what it meant in the past.
whose perspectives are overlooked and who gets to define who and what gets to be seen and heard.
The performance aims to create a correlation between traditional African perspectives with modern perspectives through movement and oral narrations.
This performance asks what does it mean to be a warrior and who is a warrior today :
what is the meaning of a warrior?
Who is a modern warrior and what does that mean?
who defines the warrior?
Supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland
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"BELONGING"
2021/2023
Artistic concept/Choreography:
Godwin Otieno
Belonging is a thought provoking Solo dance production reflecting the challenges of belonging in a constantly evolving society.
The piece focuses on human emotions, actions, realities and fears touching on important societal norms and challenges in regards to identity, sexuality, beliefs, expectations and more.
supported by Art Promotion Center Finland
LUMIKUNINGATAR 2022
TAMPERE HALL & KANTELINEN COMPANY PROUDLY PRESENT
LAURA LEPISTÖ – FELIPE MONTOYA – SILJA DOS REIS
JULIEN DULIÈRE – MILA KAJAS – MIA-MARI SINKKONEN
SUSANNA RAHKAMO – PETRI KOKKO – MARIGOLD ICEUNITY
NIKLAS HAGMAN – JENNI HIIRIKOSKI – PEKKA SARAVO – MARKO ANTTILA
MUSIC / TUOMAS KANTELINEN – DIRECTION & CHOREOGRAPHY / REIJA WÄRE
VISUALIZATION / MIKKI KUNTTU – SCREENPLAY / MELISSA A. THOMPSON
COSTUME DESIGN / ERIKA TURUNEN – CAMOUFLAGE DESIGN / MINNA PILVINEN FORMATION SKATING CHOREOGRAPHY / ANU OKSANEN
CAST:
Snow Queen – Laura Lepistö
Kerttu – Silja Dos Reis
Kai – Felipe Montoya Raven/Goblin – Ilya
Glebov
Lemmi-kärppä – Julien Dulière
The Robber Girl – Mia-Mari Sinkkonen
MC Pipolätkä – Zabato Bebe
Reindeer – Daria Perminova and Evgenii Belian's
Northern Lights Wizards – Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko
Spring – Lisa Mochizuki
Advisor to the Snow Queen – Mila Kajas
Pipolätkä commentator – Sami Hintsanen (Finnish commentary) & Ville Pusa (Swedish commentary 31.12. at 14))
Narrator (voice) – Jonna Järnefelt
Raven Dolls and Snowflake Soldiers
Marigold IceUnity: Annemarie Ervasti, Oona Hakkarainen, Emi Iizuka, Heidi Karhumäki, Melina Karinen, Sani Kerttula, Veera Lindroos, Lotta Mäkelä, Anni Nikkilä, Aino Palosuo, Ella Pitkälä, Fanny Rautavuoma, Veera Rissanen, Vilma Rissanen, Josefina Salmiheimo, Eevi Siiki, Milja Sirén, Oona Tammilehto, Salma Teivaala, Heta Torkkeli, Sanna Tuomisto, Reetta Uusitalo
Snow Queen entourage
Zabato Bebe, Evgenii Belianin, Yasmin Janatuinen, Jere Jääskeläinen, Kiira Kilpiö, Antton Laine, Lisa Mochizuki, Godwin Otieno, Daria Perminova, Sini Parkkinen, Aino Päivike, Sofia Ruija, Etel Röhr, Mia-Mari Sinkkonen, Jasmir Vesander, Jesse Wijnans
Roses
Yasmin Janatuinen, Jere Jääskeläinen, Kiira Kilpiö, Antton Laine, Godwin Otieno, Sini Parkkinen, Aino Päivike, Sofia Ruija, Etel Röhr, Mia-Mari Sinkkonen, Jasmir Vesander, Jesse Wijnans
Robbers
Zabato Bebe, Yasmin Janatuinen, Jere Jääskeläinen, Kiira Kilpiö, Antton Laine, Lisa Mochizuki, Godwin Otieno, Sini Parkkinen, Aino Päivike, Sofia Ruija, Etel Röhr, Mia-Mari Sinkkonen, Jasmir Vesander, Jesse Wijnans
Gingerbread players
Niklas Hagman (off 31.12.), Jenni Hiirikoski, Pekka Saravo, Marko Anttila (off 30.12.) Jukka Peltola (off 1.1.), Jaakko Heinonen, Max Lorentz, Toivo Rannikko, Elsa Sitari
Villagers
Julien Dulière, Zabato Bebe, Yasmin Janatuinen, Jere Jääskeläinen, Kiira Kilpiö, Antton Laine, Godwin Otieno, Sini Parkkinen, Aino Päivike, Sofia Ruija, Etel Röhr, Mia-Mari Sinkkonen, Jasmir Vesander, Jesse Wijnans, Melina Ylitalo, Marigold IceUnity.
UPS AND DOWNS
2022
Visual concept and Artistic Director:
CARINA AHLSKOG
The group exhibition “Sedan reste jag mig (Then I rose up)” was Part of www.carinaahlskog.com and Alpo Aaltokoski Company collaboration UPS and DOWNS
The beauty of a body in motion.
The beauty of being human at all stages of life.
The beauty of rising up again and again and again.
UPS and DOWNS
Artistic director:
Visual artist Carina Ahlskog
Alpo Aaltokoski Company
Choreographer: Alpo Aaltokoski
Producer: Elina Aholainen
Dancers: Johanna Ikola, Tuovi Rantanen, Anna Palmio, Emilia Ahopelto, Minna Karttunen, Jere Jääskeläinen, Godwin Otieno Musuma, Elias Berglund, Maria Autio, Riina Huhtanen
"KETJU"
2022
Artistic concept/Choreography:
Reija Ware
2.2.2022 Tanssin Talon Avajaisgaala:
Ketju - Yhdeksän tanssija-koreografin tervehdys Tanssin talolle
Ohjaus
Tanssijat
Alpo Aaltokoski, Akim Bakhtaoui, Johannes Hattunen, Gody G Otieno, Marika Peura, Sofia Ruija, Mia-Mari Sinkkonen, Jaakko Toivonen, Jasmir Vesander
Juontaja
Markku Haussila
Musiikin sävellys ja tuotanto
Ilari Heinilä, Jukka Nylund
Muusikot
Jukka Nylund, Amy Burgess, Jussi Koski-Laulaja, Ilmari Apajalahti & Ilari Heinilä
Valot ja visuaalinen suunnittelu
Teksti
Uuno Kailas, “Karavaani” (1926)
Nähtävissä, Yle Areena
The Cleaners – Siivoojat
2020-2021
Performer
Concept:
European theatre collective
Director: David Kozma
The Cleaners is a performance based on stories of people who are working and living amongst us. The performance looks into society’s power structures from the point of view of the immigrants who work as cleaners in Finland. The performance studies what kind of movement is inspired by cleaning up.
The Cleaners is the final part of European theatre collective’s trilogy Invisible Finland which concentrates on who are allowed to be on the stage in Finland and whose stories are told in Finnish theatres. The performance centers on the invisible stories of the people living in Finland and the work made by them.
The performance is supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland, The Finnish Cultural Foundation and City of Helsinki.
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Mental Health
Effects of Covid-19 Project.
2021
Artistic concept:
Godwin Otieno
My research in 2020 led me to do a project in partnership with Danceteam International as we branched out to artists and
arts enthusiasts from various countries around the world such as Finland, Spain, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
We created a virtual performance based on effects of Covid19 on mental health and well being of artists.
my plan is to widen the research further this year 2021 as to be able to reach more artists and even create more in-depth
collaborative work between Finland and the rest of the world.
This project aims to shed more light on the challenges artists have faced since the closure of art spaces and limitations of
movement.
When our movement is limited, we cannot use space as we would want, we can not go where we’d like to go or see what
we’d like to see. In essence, we are not free as we are used to. when forms of expression are not easily available and
movement of people is limited due to the Pandemic how do we positively impact the society ? and how do we maintain
artistic energy?.
"KWERO"
2020
Choreographer:
Godwin Otieno
"Kwero"is a luo word that can be used to describe unwanted or shunned .This work in progress tackles all the negative social norms that are directed to people of color and how they are described in the eyes of the society too often under the negative radar of the society,being constantly watched and judged for or looking different and how it affects the behavior and psychology of the people .
This piece will be done in various cities and countries through the year 2020/2021 to help raise awareness on the mental effects of "kwero".
Dance Against Social
Distancing.
2020
VISUAL PROJECT WITH DANCETEAM INTERNATION
CREATIVE CONCEPT:
Godwin Otieno
This project aims to highlight the social, economic and psychological challenges we all face in the
current situation of social distancing and limitations on movement. Right now, we are tested in many
ways and through this project we hope to positively impact the society and ourselves though arts.
Our interest is in exploring how the current setting, as if being in an isolated box, affects the general
mindset and well being of people. When our movement is limited, we cannot use space as we would
want, we can not go where we’d like to go or see what we’d like to see. In essence, we are not free
as we are used to be.
This project aims to boost the morale and mood of people of the society and highlight the
importance of arts and freedom of movement within space, time and sight.
THE JOURNEY
2018
co-production
45 mins
Artistic director: Godwin Otieno
The journey projects aim is to offer a safe and inspiring space for kids ,teenagers and youths to explore, develop,hone their artistic capabilities, especially through dance.
The Journey project targets kids,teens and youth who feel socially challenged and in need of finding their voice and a way of expression through dance and movement. This project brings youths and artists together to experience an opportunity of self realization and self empowerment through arts and to offer a space for intercultural encounters. The social empowerment and development of the youths in tackling restrictive social norms and demeanours are at the core of the project, as we aim to create a project, a journey, that enables the participants to grow and develop as individuals as well as part of a group as well as society.
BAINISHI
2016
co-production
45 mins
Bainishi a Swahili word for traits .What are traits? Is it a form of judgment or a misconception of the human values and qualities as per the society’s view?
performed by four Kenyan artists: Edwin Mokaya, Ozzy Ozzie, Dennis Steve Ongeri and Godwin Otieno who have different artistic backgrounds and experience in a Swahili speaking country. The idea is to show the society that our differences are our strength the moment we stop thinking of the other as competition but as a part of the incomplete puzzle.
Think of it: what if the whole world was one continent full of one colored people would anyone have any description of anyone or anything in any way? So what is a trait (Bainishi)?
BOMA
2015
PERFOMER
CHOREOGRAPHER:
Corneliu Ganea
Boma is Swahili for closed farm; many different Bomas represent large ethnic groups in Kenya and refers to the open minded approach to this culturally rich and exciting production!
In this cultural voyage of discovery, choreographer Corneliu Ganea explores the origins of Kenyan dance, how Kenyan dancers respond to our academic modern dance, and what our Western dancers can integrate. The introduction to each other and each other's culture and change are central to this. In short: a battle of cultures with mutual respect.
Truth within
2015
co-production
Godwin&steve
30 mins
Truth within is based on the daily conflicts in our lives, physically, emotionally, psychologically and socially, how vulnerable we all are in the inside and at the same time show strength and control on the outside it is about being in control or being controlled by the forces of nature .The set is about two artists who go through this same challenges of life in a busy Nairobi environment where toughness is the order of the day
The set is basically two artists who are friends but have different personalities coming together to show oneness in depth understanding of each other’s benefits to the society through being real and transparent about the challenges that many youths and even adults undergo in the society.
It’s a production that includes the real social behaviors and characters of this artists incorporating music from all different genres. They are telling you their truth, what is your truth within?
TRAIL
2015
PERFOMER
CHOREOGRAPHER:
Tero Saarinen
TRAIL is a gripping new dance production that celebrates the talent ,explosive energy and beauty of Kenyan dancers with a fusion of different styles and music by the the internationally renowned choreographer Tero Saarinen
BACK TO FORWARD
2014
PERFOMER
CHOREOGRAPHER:
Anna Bussey
Back to Forwards focused on the integration of the past into the
future of modern East Africa.
future voice, past whispers
3 portraits of contemporary man, modern African verses
Set in the hustling world of an East African city, possibly Nairobi. Technology, money,
ambition, opportunity, ever faster changing world we see make choices that influence
the world the next generation inherits. We will explore with movement language creative
and physical the dichotomies of city versus village life, question the place of art in
today’s society and what values are timeless. The music will also reflect these
differences with live drumming contrasting contemporary music.