Join free workshops in dance and calligraphy and perform at one of London's most iconic venues. China Exchange is delighted to collaborate once again with Southbank Centre to create opportunities for people to experience Chinese culture, gain new experiences and perform as part of the China Changing Festival.

Motivated by a desire to highlight the ways in which young people reinvigorate and re-imagine time-honoured techniques; RethINKING Tradition will see members of the public work with a skilled calligraphy master Xiaoran Jiang and award winning choreographer Si Rawlinson to develop a new piece of work for Southbank Centre's iconic Clore Ballroom.

Calligraphy holds a significant place in Chinese culture and history with techniques that are embedded deeply in tradition. The brush, ink, ink stone and paper date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC.-220 CE). The process transcended from a style of writing to an art form and has remained a representation of education, sophistication and style for centuries.

Taking inspiration from Chinese calligraphy, both formal writing and theatrical large brush water techniques and contemporary dance, breaking and martial arts, China Exchange is seeking 30 people to take part in the project to explore calligraphy traditions and physical movement to become part of a specially formed performance company.

The project will be co-led in a series of workshops delivered by master calligrapher, Xiaoran Jiang and Choreographer Si Rawlinson.

The sessions are free with a minimum commitment for 3/4 workshops and the final rehearsals and performance day Saturday 6th October. Sessions will be led in English

Most suitable for ages 18-25 but everyone over 18 is welcome.

The workshop timetable is as follows:

Saturday 22nd September

Workshop 1 10am - 12:30pm

Workshop 2 1:30pm-4pm

Sunday 23rd September

Workshop 3 10am - 12:30pm

Workshop 4 1:30pm - 4pm

Performance including rehearsal Saturday 6th October 10am - 4pm