b12 stands with ukraine! (read more)
research or die.
summer | main event
running from the 1st to the 30th of july 2023
welcome to b12 summer
b12 is unfolding for the spring, summer, and fall of 2023!
b12 is a trip
b12 - the festival for contemporary dance and performance art in berlin 2023 - is here to bring new revelations! this summer, you can experience an incredible four weeks running throughout the month of july, filled with workshops, performances and other exciting projects. though the b12 summer festival is our main event and flagship, you can also check out our latest, 4-day-long spring and fall satellite programs. these three festivals are happening in person and on site here in berlin, at the studios and theatres, with all of the participants, teachers and choreographers.
over the course of all three festivals, you will have the opportunity to dance alongside, and learn from, an extensive array of inspiring teachers, artists and choreographers from all over the world, that are coming together to share their passion and knowledge with your enthusiasm and talent, in an exquisite studio environment, nestled in the nature of the city.
the performances and events are open to everyone. you can explore all that we will have on offer, as for shows and events, in the performances section of the menu bar.
while the field of contemporary dance and performance art is, and has been, the focal point and heart of b12 over time, this year’s festival aims to bring even more power to the unconventional by dedicating itself to nurturing and inspiring artists who are taking physical and emotional risks on and off stage, bringing more connection through the experimentations of movement and theatre of every kind.
here at b12, we are excited to not only host research workshops but also performances, symposiums and events on- and offline, especially on planet b12, for our audiences again this year, and hope that it will be even more accessible to everyone!
b12 = diversity
there is no limit to what awaits you. our main event, b12 summer, orbits a vast array of approaches and opportunities, so you can dive in as deep as you desire. all of the teachers that will join us this year are incredibly unique in their skills and methods, and they will offer you the chance to get involved in a variety of expressions: from film to text, movement to acrobatics, theatrical to experimental, and the unexpected to the futuristic.
b12 = curiosity
we welcome you to choose from over 80 of the workshops and research experts at the festival this year, with long workshop times that give you a chance to deepen your journey in pursuit of artistic growth and exploration. you will receive new tools and inspiration to find freedom to release the ever growing force inside of you. here at b12, you become part of a curious community that cares about the untold and immensities of the unexplained, whether it's cerebral, physical or anything in between. daily vinyasa yoga classes are also open to all participants of the festival, free of charge. come willing and ready for new challenges and expansion, and your stay in berlin will give you an experience that you will never forget!
b12 = evolution
b12’s bounds continue to evolve further and, this year, we will be organizing new discussion platforms to give you the opportunity to exchange and share your views, to connect with peers, teachers, and anybody wanting to stop by.
please also check out our new, unbeatable b12 "stay & research" offers, which combine accommodation and workshops!
you can subscribe to our newsletter if you would like to receive updates and information regarding everything b12 and planet b12, and each event taking place throughout the festival and beyond. and here you can find our faq section!
apart from our professional workshops, we invite anyone and everyone to our outreach workshops for the general community. in these workshops, you will develop an understanding of body language, self-esteem, teamwork, and finding, and connecting with the power of your inner-dancer.
unparalleled viewing pleasure
b12 is devoted to curating controversial performances and hosting different types of performance approaches, which are open to be watched by everyone interested:
asteroids: we have a great line-up of new artists - we are excited!
the performance projects will take place at the dock 11 theater on the 15th, 16th, 22th, 23rd, 29th and 30th of july 2023. 5pm and 7pm shows / ticket link will be provided closed to the festival right here.
sungrazers: we invite three artists, who are teaching at the b12 festival, to present two existing evening-length pieces.
these performances will also take place at the dock 11 theater from the 11th, 12th, 18st and the 19th of july 2023 / 7pm / ticket link will be provided closed to the festival right here.
critical mass: an informal studio showing of pieces, created by and performed by the teachers and choreographers. plus talkback!
these showings will take place at eden on the 1st, 10th, 17th and the 24th of july 2023 / 9:30pm / free of charge!
luminous flux: here you can enjoy two inspiring and curated, dance-on-camera, short film screenings.
these screenings will be shown at eden on the 7th and 21st of july 2023 / 9:30pm / free of charge!
we also have these brand new formats this year:
spin: these are 360 degree arena type performances, hosting choreographers who are also teaching at b12.
this show will take place at eden on the 3rd and 8th of july 2023 / 9:30pm / a small contribution towards expenses is required at the door for these shows. first come, first served.
free radicals: a selection of pieces from b12 participants. a talk back will round up the experience!
the showings will take place in eden on the 5th and the 14th of july 2023 / 9:30pm / free of charge!
mentoring workshops: new, fueled workshops which, with the participants, are focused on tackling a certain issue. the times for these workshops will vary and will take place at eden.
we will bring back the no leader improvisation sessions. open to b12 participants and their friends. on the 2nd, 9th, 20th and the 28th of july 2023 at 9:30pm.
side note: tickets for the asteroids and sungrazers performances are very limited, so you should make sure to book as soon as possible.
b12's school of thoughts
we encourage mental exchange on different topics and are excited to see discussions unfold. for that purpose, we have developed three different formats that participants, and anyone who is interested, are invited to be a part of.
deep space: come, listen to, and discuss with invited artists and theorists, as they share their thoughts on the topic of intersectionality. this panel discussion happens three times during b12.
this event will take place at eden on the 13th and the 27th of july / 9:30pm / free of charge!
reflect at critical mass: many of you were asking if after some of our critical mass performances, we could add a moderated discussion with the artists. now this has been added!
on the 1st, 10th, 17th and the 24th of july 2023 / 9:30pm / free of charge!
we also will bring reflection on our newest format free radicals right after the presentation for exchanging thoughts in an open discussion.
the talk back after the showings will take place in eden on the 5th and the 14th of july 2023 / 9:30pm / free of charge!
to see performances or follow discussions at the b12 festivals, you don't need to take workshops - everyone is welcome!
b12 and the world
b12 has been committed to consciousness and sustainability ever since we started. here is what we do, and what you can do, to ensure that our actions are effective and have a positive impact on the environment:
b12 is part of a donation program to plant trees around the world - this year we will again will match the number of participants at b12 spring, summer and fall with trees: b12 is donating one tree for each participant that comes to berlin! we have chosen vier locations to dedicate our support - nepal, uganda, haiti and madagascar. you can see what we were able to do last year by clicking this link. please follow more on the projects here:
we are hopeful and want to contribute to a sustainable world. if you like the idea of reforestation please consider donating as well.
we promote a plastic-free environment here at b12, asking everybody not to use or bring single-use plastic bottles, plastic cutlery, or plastic dishes. at the venue, you can find a cafe with vegetarian food and drinks - with sustainable tableware, as well as very good tap water to fill up your reusable water bottle.
when traveling from another country to b12, please consider going by train instead of a plane. when traveling within berlin, please consider using a bike or taking public transport.
we are bringing artists from all over the world in a specific time frame to b12 and we aim to minimize the number of flights for each teacher as much as possible.
we decreased our printed promotional material for b12 to only two items! everything else is shared online. we are also working in a mobile office, sharing resources as much as we can.
we hold our main, four week long lasting festival in the summer, having literally no heating emissions and using very little electricity, trying to make use of daylight as much as possible.
we offer an online format called “planet b12” throughout the year, connecting you with your favorite teachers and artists, while saving on travel, accommodation and energy.
we produce only fair trade and eco-friendly t-shirts and hoodies for our participants and teachers!
we are open to suggestions on how b12 can have a greater impact on helping the environment each year, so if you have any ideas on how we can be more sustainable, please let us know!
dear amazing people,
we all were not prepared to see the war break out with all of the terror unfolding in the ukraine, inflicted by putin, but we are standing strong with the ukraine and the ukrainian people. we believe in non-violent conflict solutions and condemn war and its originators. this unecessary war has to stop!
consequently b12 wants to help and support ukrainians. donating money is one thing that we have done, but we would also like to give dancers from the ukraine, who recently had to flee due to the war, an opportunity. an opportunity to feel welcomed here in berlin and gain back a fraction of normality in their lives by joining b12 workshops, free of charge.
b12 summer is happening from the 1st - 30th of july 2023.
we have given and will give away many workshop spots to ukrainians for b12 spring, b12 summer and b12 fall, free of charge. right now we only accept applications for the b12 spring scholarships. please go to our b12 spring site and find the details there! closer to b12 summer we will also open the application for the scholarships for ukrainians for july.
looking forward to having you here at the b12 family.
we are you!
b12
b12 |||||||||||||| 2023 |||||||||||||| we are you ||||||||||||||