Bed. Often messy, unmade, and sometimes impossible to leave – but also a symbol of sanctuary, a place for dreaming and vulnerability. It is at the core of our lives and central to this event – quite literally, as Associate Composer Atefeh Einali recreates her bedroom on stage. Enter a reconstructed dream state with improvised poetry and ethereal projections, as sounds from around the world come together through traditional instruments and diverse musical languages.

At the core of the programme is Indefinite dreams: I am alive! – a new audio-visual piece created by Einali with poet Darryl Peers and visual artist Nikta Mohammadi. Drawing on collaboration, dialogue and creative exchanges between the three practitioners, Einali will improvise on Santoor (an Iranian instrument where strings are sounded with small hammers) in front of a projected video backdrop. 

“Improvisation is the only place where musicians have their own voice, not restricted by rules.” 

Einali’s piece will be bookended by improvised sets from oud player Rachel Beckles Willson and percussionist Tony Watt, both performing their own original music intertwined with improvisation informed by Iranian and Brazilian traditional practices. Atefeh has also arranged her solo violin piece The Voice for oud.

The night closes with a set from Shunya, an electro-acoustic artist and multi-instrumentalist from Manchester. Shunya’s sound is an amalgamation of influences, ranging from his early musical background of classical violin to the sounds of Manchester’s electronic music scene.

Tickets

£10 advance | £6 concessions* | £12 on the door

*Concessions include students with valid student card, Universal Credit, PIP and the over 60s. If you need a concession ticket but don't meet the above criteria, please drop us a line at sophie@nonclassical.co.uk

Accessibility

For more information about the venue’s accessibility, click here. For any access queries and/or requirements, please email sophie@nonclassical.co.uk. Free access companion tickets are available as an add-on.

REFUND POLICY

If you are no longer able to attend we will accept refunds requested up to 48 hours before the performance. If you find you’re unable to attend within 48 hours of the performance (for example: due to a positive coronavirus test), please contact sophie@nonclassical.co.uk and we will happily exchange your ticket for another Nonclassical event of your choice (subject to ticket prices and availability).

Nonclassical is grateful for the support of Margaret Engering Fund, PRS for Music Foundation, Arts Council England and the Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust.

Nonclassical is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL and in association with Youth Music UK.