International Body Music Festival Lands in Athens

A unique festival celebrating the art of body music—where performers clap, snap, shuffle, stomp, and vocalize—kicks off in Athens next week, from November 4-10. This is none other than the San Francisco-based International Body Music Festival (IBMF), making its debut in the Greek capital.

For an entire week, over 50 artists from more than 12 countries will gather in Athens, sharing their vibrant musical vibes using the one instrument we all have in common: our bodies.

What can you expect? An exciting lineup of activities is scheduled for everyone to enjoy, including concerts, workshops, discussions, performances, screenings, and improvisational evenings. These events will be held in some of the city’s largest cultural venues, such as Gazarte, Technopolis City of Athens, and the Greek Film Archive.

Photo credit: Mike Melnyk.

The IBMF’s multifaceted program is designed to have a significant social impact, focusing on interculturality, accessibility, world traditions, and high-quality artistic productions. This festival is curated by American percussionist Keith Terry, its founder and artistic director, along with the Greek non-profit cultural organization PLAYGROUND for the arts.

PLAYGROUND for the arts founding members and teachers.

What’s in the Festival?

The workshops

From Monday to Sunday (Nov. 4-10), a diverse array of body music and body percussion workshops will be offered at PLAYGROUND for the art in the area of Votanikos, addressing various topics related to the sonic dimensions of movement, voice, music, and dance education. Participants will explore skill development, empowerment, team building, and inclusion through both traditional and contemporary body music styles from around the globe.

To see the detailed list of the festival’s workshops as well as to book your tickets please check here.

The Events

Monday, Nov. 4, 20:30
International Body Music Festival: OPENING NIGHT | Gazarte
Welcome to the Greek and international community of Body Music! Join us for a night of introductions, discussions about the festival, and a jam session featuring our unique instruments: body movements and voices!

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 20:30
International Body Music Festival: OPEN MIC | Gazarte – Ground Stage
Step onto the open stage and share your love for body music! Whether you’re part of a group, a solo artist, or simply eager to discover new talents, sign up to present your work to the warm and inclusive IBMF community!

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 20:30
“Music in Motion – 360° Experience” | Theseum Theater
Immerse yourself in a multi-sensory performance where dance can be heard and music can be seen, featuring the first professional body music group, including performers with and without visual or hearing impairments. Line-up: Yannis Psallidakos, Nanti Gogoulou, Natasha Martin, Yiota Peklaris, Vasia Zorbalis, Olga Dalekou, Christos Koutsovasilis, Lior Shoov, Sandy Silva, Humanophones, and the KeKeÇa Body Percussion Ensemble.

Thursday, Nov. 7, 19:30
“Body Music on Film” | Greek Film Archive
Join us for an evening dedicated to body music films, including the world premiere of the documentary Through the Body: The Story of the International Body Music Festival. An open discussion with the creators will follow, interpreted in Greek Sign Language.

Friday, Nov. 8, 20:30
“Body Music in Dialogue” | Gazarte – Roof Stage
Enjoy an evening of collaboration as acclaimed Greek musicians team up with IBMF 2024 body musicians on the stunning terrace of Gazarte, overlooking the Acropolis! The lineup includes Max Pollak, Yoel Soto, Anna Llombart, Leela Petronio, Bryan Dyer, Evie Ladin, Keith Terry, Sandy Silva, Remi Leclerc, Ozgu Bulut, Federica Loredan, Simone Mongelli, Yannis Papageorgiou, Martha Mavroidi, Haris Lambrakis, Fotis Siotas, Irini Alisa, Thalia Ioannidou, Mc Yinka, and more.

Saturday, Nov. 9, 13:30
The Social Impact of Body Music | Technopolis City of Athens
Engage in a public discussion in collaboration with Nevronas Festival on the role of body music in art therapy and its effects on inclusion, empowerment, and mental health. Esteemed speakers will include Keith Terry, Özgü Bulut, Max Pollak, Natasha Martin, Yiota Peklari, Olga Dalekou, Christos Koutsovasilis, and representatives from various civil society organizations.

Saturday, Nov. 9, 20:30
“Music You Can See – Dance You Can Hear” | Gazarte – Main Stage
Celebrate artistic expression with renowned international body music groups and traditional Greek song ensembles in a showcase that highlights the body as a unique musical instrument. Body music, the oldest form of music on our planet, is more relevant than ever! The lineup features Barbatuques, KeKeÇa Body Percussion Ensemble, Théâtre À Tempo, Body Music Show by Keith Terry, Max Pollak, Bodyterranean, Polyphonic Shape of Epirus by Vangelis Kotsos, Traditional Music Choir Rodia, and more.

Sunday, Nov. 10, 12:00
“Body Music for All: A Family Show” | Technopolis City of Athens – Gasholder 1 – Auditorium “Miltiadis Evert”
This family-friendly show brings together acclaimed artists and groups from Brazil, Canada, the Canary Islands, Turkey, and Greece to explore universal cultural elements: rhythm, music, dance, and community. With humor, clowning, rhythmic games, audience participation, and choral singing, this performance is designed for all ages! Featuring Théâtre À Tempo, Barbatuques, Jep Melendez, Polyphonica Choir, KeKeÇa Body Percussion Ensemble, and Gökçe ‘CheChe’ Gürçay.

Sunday, Nov. 10, 20:30
Closing Party! | PLAYGROUND for the arts
Conclude the festival with a celebration featuring a rebetika ensemble! Join us back at PLAYGROUND for the arts to bid farewell to the international community that gathered for the IBMF and to look forward to future events.

To find tickets for the festival’s events please go here.

Who’s Coming?

Keith Terry (US): Founder and Artistic Director of Crosspulse and the International Body Music Festival, Keith Terry is a pioneer in the field of body music. A Guggenheim Fellow and member of the Asian Cultural Council, he has been instrumental in mentoring numerous body musicians worldwide.

Barbatuques (Brazil): This world-renowned body music group has performed in over 30 countries, contributing significantly to the global spread of body music through their innovative performances. Their popular tracks “Baião Destemperado” and “Baianá” are available on all streaming platforms.

KeKeÇa Body Percussion Ensemble (Turkey): Founded in 2002, this group is dedicated to promoting body music through performances, training, and workshops, especially for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups.

Sandy Silva (Canada): A multi-award-winning performer and choreographer, Sandy Silva is a recognized pioneer of percussive dance and has created internationally acclaimed body music dance films.

Leela Petronio (France): A versatile artist with a rich background in tap dance and hip-hop, Leela has toured extensively with the group STOMP, bringing her unique style to stages around the world.

Bryan Dyer (US): A multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his wide-ranging musical collaborations, Bryan has performed globally with notable artists and has a diverse musical portfolio.

Max Pollak (Austria): A celebrated tap dancer and innovator, Max Pollak is recognized for his contributions to body music and his work with visually impaired and cognitively diverse individuals.

About IBMF

The non-profit organization Crosspulse started the tradition of the International Body Music Festival in 2008, creating a seven-day celebration featuring distinguished artists from around the world. The festival is repeated every two years in San Francisco and in the intervening year in co-production with IBMF artists/members in other countries, creating a truly global institution. Over the years, due to the festival’s popularity, smaller formats were introduced, including MiniFests, online festivals, and 24-hour radio marathons. For the past 15 years, Crosspulse has hosted IBMF in different parts of the world and on four continents, welcoming over 110 artists representing the international Body Music community.

About PLAYGROUND for the arts

PLAYGROUND for the arts serves as a meeting center for an international community of artists, students, and the public with a shared interest in performing arts and rhythm. Founded by Yiota Peklari, Thanos Daskalopoulos, and Petros Kourtis, its vision is to foster collaboration, exchange, and inclusivity within the artistic educational environment.

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