In partnership with Outlands, KARST presents a weekend of experimental music and performance in Plymouth. The Joyous Thing #5 is an opportunity to experience talking, dancing, singing and socialising. Together, we will explore the connected themes of collaboration, mutual support, and equality of access — centred around the vital question: how do we continue to keep things Joyous?
Boundary-breaking musicians NikNak and I AM FYA kick off proceedings on Thursday with live performances at Leadworks. On Friday, KARST hosts Penumbra – a new interdisciplinary piece bringing together acclaimed musicians Dali de St Paul & Maxwell Sterling with filmmaker Rebecca Salvadori and light artist Charlie Hope. To conclude the weekend, on Saturday morning artist Rhys Morgan leads a performance by LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir Seaweed in the Fruit Locker at The Lions Den, followed by a sea swim.
Throughout the weekend KARST and Leadworks will also host a range of talks and workshops focused around producing and presenting experimental and interdisciplinary performance.
Turntabalism Workshop with NikNak
Thursday 4 April, 5-6pm
Leadworks
Free
NikNak presents a relaxed Turntablism workshop at Leadworks specifically for LGBTQIA+ People of Colour who also identify as female, trans and non-binary designed to give participants the confidence to play the music they want without fear or anxiety.
NikNak says: “there continues to be a lack of authentic diversity and representation in line-ups in electronic music, especially where DJ-ing is concerned”.
This workshop is specifically for LGBTQIA+ People of Colour who also identify as female, trans and non-binary. To book your place, email info@karst.org.uk.
First Thursdays: NikNak live with support from I AM FYA
Thursday 4 April, 7-11pm
Leadworks
Tickets £9 / £6 (concession) – book here
NikNak is an artist known for her creative and boundary-breaking work, who has gained worldwide recognition with her unusual albums, remixes, and engaging performances. In 2020, she made history as the first Black turntablist to receive the prestigious Oram Award. Not limited to any one genre or role, NikNak is an experimental composer, sound designer, DJ, and electronic artist. With multiple releases, collaborations, and live shows, NikNak stands out for her unique style. Featured in various publications as a rising star, NikNak continues to advance the boundaries of sound innovation with her complex and singular approach to turntables and spatial music production.
I AM FYA has been mesmerising audiences across the UK and beyond with her distinctive collision of live sample manipulation, experimental yet soulful vocals, and full spectrum sonic arrangements. Her performance has recently been described as “Barbadian bass science and undefinable grandeur”.
This is a First Thursdays event in collaboration with Queer District Collective and Minerva.
The Joyous Thing: Outlands Network member-led event
Friday 5 April, 12-4pm
KARST
Free, all welcome
An afternoon of presentations and panel talks from Outlands Network members, featuring a keynote performance from The Cornwall Youth Noise Orchestra and presentations from Jessica Beechey (London / Cornwall), Moogie Wonderland (Penryn), Full of Noises (Barrow), Another Sky (London).
A panel and audience Q&A session will follow, with Karen Sutton (The Oram Awards), Anthea Clarke (I AM FYA), Nicole Raymond (NikNak) and Rhys Morgan (Seaweed in the Fruit Locker), chaired by Caleb Madden (Outlands Network / Spirit of Gravity).
Vocal Improvisation Workshop with Dali de Saint Paul
Friday 5 April, 4-5pm
KARST
Free – book here
In this introductory workshop with Dali de Saint Paul, you will play with exercises and improvisation techniques, and listen to examples from the history of experimental sound and music, exploring the voice as a musical, communal, and political instrument, and how multiple voices can interact in the context of improvisation.
Dali De Saint Paul is a prolific collaborator and a prominent figure in Bristol’s improvised music scene who likes to explore musical dialogues with musicians across different genres. Over 6 years, her improvised project EP/64 involved more than 40 musicians and visual artists across 64 concerts. Described as having a ‘raw vocal style’, Dali is completely self-taught as a vocalist and a musician.
The workshop lasts for 1 hour approx. No experience or musical training is required. Tickets are free but booking is recommended to reserve a space.
Penumbra (Dali de St Paul, Maxwell Stirling, Rebecca Salvadori and Charlie Hope) with support from Jessica Beechey and DJ Bealzedub
Friday 5 April, 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM
KARST
Tickets £9 / £6 (concession) – book here
Penumbra is an experimental performance devised by vocalist Dali de Saint Paul, electronic composer and double bassist Maxwell Sterling, and visual artists Charlie Hope and Rebecca Salvadori. Emerging from a series of collaborative sessions, this new interdisciplinary commission from Outlands comprises a dynamic sonic improvisation structured by a video and lighting score. The project has developed and evolved over a series of live shows touring England in spring 2024 culminating in Plymouth. The tour was produced by Outlands Network member Al Cameron, commissioned by Outlands Network and supported by Arts Council England.
Seaweed in the Fruit Locker and sea swim
Saturday 6 April, 11am-12pm
The Lion’s Den
Free
To conclude The Joyous Thing #5, on Saturday morning artist Rhys Morgan leads a performance by LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir Seaweed in the Fruit Locker at The Lions Den, followed by a sea swim.
Seaweed in the Fruit Locker are an LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir formed by artist Rhys Morgan to explore collective performance in marginalised communities through the tradition of shanty singing. The choir will be performing a selection of new and traditional shanties which have been rewritten by the choir to reflect their own queer lived experience, often inspired by existing queer narratives within sea faring heritage and using the gay slang language Polari.
Bacon or veggie butties and tea/coffee will be provided for the swimmers by Minerva cafe.
SCHEDULE
Thursday at Leadworks
7PM – DJs
8PM – I AM FYA
9.05PM – NikNak (live)
10-11 PM – DJs
Friday afternoon at KARST
12-4PM – The Joyous Thing member-led event. (details to follow)
4-5PM – Dali de St Paul vocal improvisation workshop
Friday evening at KARST
7.30PM – DJs
8.15PM – Jessica Beechey (live)
9PM – Penumbra (live)
10PM – Beelzedub (DJ)
Saturday morning on The Lions Den
11AM – Seaweed in the Fruit Locker sea shanties (live) and sea swimming
11.30AM – Bacon or veggie butties and tea/coffee for the swimmers
The Joyous Thing 5 is presented by Outlands and KARST with support from Leadworks, Queer District Collective and Minerva.
Outlands has existed since 2017 to support and unite audiences; artists; and producers of experimental and interdisciplinary arts. KARST has been a fundamental part of building this network from its genesis. This event is funded by the Arts Council thanks to the National Lottery.