Vitamin-S

About Vitamin-S

What is Vitamin-S?

the Vitamin-S pool night was devised as a place where those interested in improvised music and performance could meet, perform, listen to and discuss, and generally interact with all aspects of this complex and largely misunderstood art form. As improvisation is the most widely practised of genres, it may be necessary to define two main forms:

1. Idiomatic improvisation: much the most widely used and concerned with the expression of an idiom - jazz or flamenco for example, and taking its identity and motivation from that idiom.

2. Non-idiomatic improvisation: here other concerns are fundamental. It is usually found in so-called 'free' improvisation.

It is the second of these two forms that Vitamin-S is concerned to promote.

There are four main tentacles by which Vitamin-S explores non-idiomatic improvisation:

1. Random trios.

Join the Pool

2. Vitamin-Specials. Each month, pool members are approached to perform either as a soloist or to put together and present a group of their own choosing. They are given sufficient time to 'rehearse' or to work on specific pieces (planned, notated scores or graphic pieces, for example).

3. Organised ensembles, also exploring a defined theme, methodology, direction or approach to a given piece. These ensembles, such as 10 Acre Bloc, are comprised largely, although not exclusively, of pool members and tend to have more of a life outside Vitamin-S . The pieces are usually more structured, although not necessarily in a conventional or obvious sense.

4. Monthly workshops. The second Tuesday of every month). These workshops are run by invited guests and members and are an introduction to the language and methodology of improvisation. This year, we have approached members of the pool asking them to present workshops on a particular theme - extended techniques, 'home-made' instruments (James McCarthy) and dance (Kristian Larsen) for example. In addition, whenever we have performers from other NZ centres or from overseas, we ask them to facilitate workshops for Vitamin-S members. These are always well attended, interesting and nothing if not thought provoking. So far workshops have been run by Anthony Donaldson and Jeff Henderson (Wellington), Susie Ibarra (New York), Eric Boeren (Holland), Manon-Liu Winter, Heinz-Peter Lindshalm/Petra Stump (Vienna), DJ Olive (NY), amongst others. It's an opportunity to work with performers from all styles and experiences and to try out ideas - your own, or those brought in by others. The evening usually starts with an unstructured improvisation, following which ideas and pieces are explored. Bring an open mind, an ability to listen and a gold coin.

You can experience Vitamin S every Monday at the Wine Cellar, St Kevin's Arcade.

And here's a quote to send you on your way:

"Our music is about the inadequacy of traditional imagery and symbols to convey meaning in today's world. By abandoning representationalism we are free to express ourselves with pure form. Specific interpretation gives way to a more visceral response."
from: Calvin and Hobbes

Regular Pool Drawn Trios/Workshops

Pool Night: 8pm Every Monday
Workshop: 7:30pm Usually the first tuesday of the month
Where: The Wine Cellar, St Kevin's Arcade (down the steps), Karangahape Road
The Wine Cellar is a hotspot for alternative music and art.

Pool nights are where two randomly selected trios perform improvised music with little or no group preparation (and certainly no rehearsal) beforehand.
Gold Coin entry.
Workshops are a more structured exploration of improvisation. Ideas and techniques are explored and developed in a group setting.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of
Creative Communities