Curated by Willie Stark, the Tales Festival kicks off on Friday evening with „Exotiques“, an immersive performance by the Stark Company, followed by an artist talk. Through a dynamic fusion of dance, voice, and live music with analogue machines, the piece explores personal and collective stories and highlights themes such as identity, resistance, and intergenerational narratives. This performance sets the tone for the festival, offering the audience an immersive and thought-provoking opening night.
On Saturday, the festival expands into a day of interactive learning and artistic exchange with 2 workshops: House dance and Afro dances, open to all. The festival continues on Saturday evening with a curated programme of six short performances by invited artists. This line-up presents a variety of perspectives and artistic approaches. Each performance brings a unique voice to the stage – whether through powerful storytelling, music, innovative choreography, or interdisciplinary performance elements. Followed by Fallon Mayanja’s DJ set.
🗓 January 23, 2026
Performance Exotiques by Stark company, followed by an artist talk with Willie Stark.
Artistic Direction, Choreography, Dance: Willie Stark
Choreographic Input, Dance: Yasmine Calasse & Laura Schönlau
Music Composition, Live Music: Fallon Mayanja
Outside Eye: Balindile ka Ngcobo
Costumes: Kora Hamm with Willie Stark
Lights: Björn Nienhuys
🗓 January 24, 2026
House dance workshop with Willie Stark and Afro dances workshop with Mady.
A performance evening with eight invited artists presenting their work: Laura Schönlau, Kelvin Kilonzo and Pablo Giw, Waithera L. Schreyeck, Kemelo Nozipho Sehlapelo, Kenza Kabisso and Freesoul, and Mady.
A community evening with a DJ set by Fallon Mayanja—where dance and encounter merge.
Photos by Paula Schür (Exotiques performance) and Jana Stumpe (Workshops, performance night, artist talk and after party).
Flyers by Willie Stark
WILLIE STARK 