Residency Sharing: Neuroqueer Morris Dancing with Aby Watson
The Work Room Studio
21 February,
Workshop, 11.30am-1.30pm
Talk Circle, 2.30pm-4pm
The Work Room, Studio, Tramway
Free, booking via hello@theworkroom.org.uk
Join us in The Work Room studio and Resource Room on Saturday 21 February, as upcoming Artist in residence Aby Watson hosts two public events, sharing research and practice from her residency and new project FOLX.
Folx is a neuroqueer ritual and experimental ensemble practice inspired by Morris Dancing. Through jingling bells, striking sticks, and waving handkerchiefs, Folx celebrates neurodivergent embodiment whilst sensorially and critically investigating tradition, nationalism, and gender in our turbulent, divisive times.
This workshop and talk circle invite participants into the core practices of Folx: rhythmic, repetitive stepping, live sound-making, flamboyant costume sensibilities, and playful foolery. Folk dance is re-embodied as co-regulatory, collective stimming, explored through parallel, shared movement rather than performance for an audience.
Workshop
11:30am – 1:30pm
Open to TWR members, dancers and movers.
Together we will share, learn, and experiment with traditional Morris dance stepping including simple sequences and playful improvisations using Morris elements alongside stimprovisation: sensory-seeking improvisation with voice, objects, and movement. All activities are invitations, not demands, and participation can look many different ways.
All experimentation with be parallel, collective and simultaneous, no one will be made to 'perform' for an 'audience'
Talk Circle
2:30pm – 4pm
Open to all
The talk circle creates space to reflect collectively on neurodivergent embodiment, tradition, and ritual - centring lived experience, curiosity, and care rather than expertise or fixed outcomes.
This is a relaxed, multisensory, experimental space designed especially for those who often find themselves outside tradition.
The Talk Circle is open to anyone curious about the themes and research. You do not need to be a professional dancer or artist to attend.
Booking
Both events are free. Email hello@theworkroom.org.uk to book your place on either or both events.
Access
The workshop and talk circle take place in a relaxed environment centred on neurodivergent embodiment and consciousness.
This looks like:
- Open door policy, come and go as you please
- Movement, vocalising, and sound-making are welcome
- Lighting and sound are considered for sensory sensitivities
- Everything is an invitation, not a demand
- An understanding that focus and attention look different for everyone
- Stimplements (objects to stim with) will be provided and bringing your own is very welcome
- Multimodal ways of processing information are supported (e.g. doodling, note-taking, moving, resting)
- All experimentation is parallel, collective, and simultaneous - no one will be asked to perform solo or be watched
If you have specific access needs or questions, you’re warmly invited to get in touch in with Sian Baxter - sianbaxter@outlook.com
About Folx
Folx is a neuroqueer ritual and experimental ensemble choreography inspired by Morris Dancing. Through jingling bells, striking sticks, and waving handkerchiefs, Folx celebrates neurodivergent embodiment whilst sensorially and critically investigating tradition, nationalism and gender in our turbulent, divisive times. With rhythmic, repetitive stepping, live music, flamboyant costume, and vivacious foolery, folk dance is reembodied as coregulatory collective stimming by a diverse ensemble of six dancers. A relaxed performance centring neurodivergent embodiment and consciousness, Folx forms a stimulating multisensory experimental performance for those often outside tradition.