Luminous Gamelan
Imagination and Mythmaking Workshops
IMAGINATION & MYTHMAKING WORKSHOPS
Developed as a range of children’s performance workshops for Glasgow’s Inspiration Festival, the instruments of the gamelan have reached out to many
children and adults, to nearly 40 different school groups both in Scotland and
England.
PUSHING UP THE SKY
SKY DANCES AND OTHER CONSTELLATION STORIES (FORGETS TO TWINKLE)
Based on American Indian story mythology, Pushing Up The Sky is a music, story
and movement event of about two hours duration exploring communication and
language, community and group identity.
“Maker had made the sky far too low, and had created far to many languages as
well. People couldn’t understand one another didn’t get along. Changer devised a plan to unite the people to a common purpose.”
Here participants learn the music of the gamelan as it follows the storyline of
two slightly dispirited communities, who must learn to act together to return
the Sky (which was far too low) to it’s proper domain.
A music and movement event of about two hours duration. Everyone moves, everyone
makes music. Suitable for mixed-age primary, as well as additional needs groups.
Forgets-To-Twinkle is a fully participatory, story-workshop based on a
mythological narrative from the North American Kiowa Seneca Indians. Luminous
combine the talents of dance animators, storytellers and musicians in a cross
cultural performance workshop. Children participate as dancers, actors and
musicians.
A full gamelan orchestra and a special collection of percussion instruments
provide music that enchants the story. Children join the Celestial Orchestra,
learn African drumming and singing, along with dance and movement in the act of
cosmic storytelling. Participants creating new mythologies of social
importance, taking a hands-on experience devising all aspects of their
adventures.
The workshop is suitable for mixed-age primary, as well as additional needs
groups. It can be presented over a full day, or a half day in a large open
space. Up to 45 participants.
MAGIC RIVER/ RETURN TO DRAGON ISLAND
JOURNEY TO THE SHADOW WORLD
The adventure begins as the children board the boat departing for their holiday
to the Island of Hills and Flowers. The children arrive only to discover a terribly rude hand-written sign directing
them to leave the island immediately. It seems that the Island now belongs to a
powerful dragon who lives in a castle, and no strangers are allowed!
But alas, the boat has departed. Now the children will have to stay. They need to find out if the dragon will permit them to play on the island or
will force them to leave. There might be danger ahead!
Can we make some music to appease the dragon? Will we have to hide or fight? Maybe we had better prepare for both possibilities. Music must be made and
dances learned.
This 1-2 hour workshop is suitable for children from 4 to 8 years of age. Highly
suitable in an outdoor environment (with marquis) or in a large indoor space.
This workshop follows a trans-dimensional theme in keeping with Halloween.
Participants cross over the threshold of visibility into a shadow world where
invisibles live. Creative invention is imperative to regain the ability to
cross back. Children sing, tell stories, make music and dance in shadow, in an
attempt to find their way home. Returning may be a challenge but participants
also discover certain benefits to invisibility.
A selection of gamelan and percussion instruments provide just the right
atmosphere as teams of musicians form to help the others regain their creative
powers.
Suitable for children ages 7 - 12, who have some interesting decisions to make
about regaining and cultivating visibility. Ideal capacity 15-20, negotiable. 2
hours