The series’ focus is on the social and political dimensions of dance, knowledge systems in music, the body as a living archive, movement, and music as healing, social, spiritual, and cultural practice. In addition, decolonial perspectives on the body and dance are opened up, and practices of dance studies are critically negotiated. Performances, talks, listening sessions, and workshops transform knowledge into experience and movement. All events are taking place at Radialsystem, Berlin.
UNEXPECTED LESSONS 1 – Opening
The series “UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound” kicks off with an opening programme from May 24 to 27, 2026, centred around the solo performance “Somewhere at the Beginning” by Germaine Acogny—an icon of African contemporary dance—accompanied by workshops, talks, and the Berlin premiere of the documentary “Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes.”
May 24, 2026
Dance Workshop with Patrick Acogny
May 25, 2026
Performance by Germaine Acogny & Mikaël Serre “Somewhere at the Beginning”
Film premiere: Germaine Acogny – “Die Essenz des Tanzes”
May 26, 2026
Performance by Germaine Acogny & Mikaël Serre “Somewhere at the Beginning”
Artist Talk: At The Table With … Germaine Acogny, Patrick Acogny, Mansour Ciss Kanakassy, moderated by Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne and Isabel Raabe
LA PALABRE Space – Tea, Reading & Resting Room with hn.lyonga and Melanie Garland
May 27, 2026
Dance Workshop with Germaine Acogny
More infos about the opening and ticket-links here.
UNEXPECTED LESSONS 2 – Music as Resistance
August 1–2, 2026
UNEXPECTED LESSONS 3 & 4 – Decolonizing the Body in Dance
Rethinking Dance in Academia
September 11-12, 2026
UNEXPECTED LESSONS 5 – The Resonating Body. Writing & Orality
October 31, 2026
UNEXPECTED LESSONS 6 – Healing Practices and Body Memory
January 16-17, 2027
UNEXPECTED LESSONS 7 – Knowledge Systems in Music
February 20-21, 2027
The series UNEXPECTED LESSONS — Knowledges of Body and Sound is funded by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin. In cooperation with the Betty Center for Movement Research in Dance Studies at LMU Munich.