Jacek "Budyń" Szymkiewicz
Jacek Szymkiewicz was once nicknamed "Budyn (Pudding)" and some still call him this. He is a singer-songwriter, who is also known for his poems, film music and theatre performances. He founded the band Pogodno (pogodno - YouTube) with which he has recorded several albums, as well as having recorded music both as a solo-artist as well as with other bands. However, he is best known for his concerts, particularly as the direct contact with people, sharing emotions and energy, improvising or reacting to new places and people, is something that has always given him great joy - which he aims to give back to his audience.
But with quarantine and the shutdown of the events industry he felt that– “A drought rules our world and you can't see when it will start raining again”. So he moved his artistic activities to the internet and in March started the project "Notes from the besieged city” for which he wrote songs, poems, and recorded videoclips. He also started playing a regular online concert on Wednesday mornings at 6 am, during which he creatively improvised songs together with active participation from his audience.
During the summer holidays, he also wrote a series of songs based on the poems of Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi poet.
To support his art, you can make a donation through his website here.
TO-EN
TO-EN is a butoh dancer and choreographer from Poland, artistic director of TO-EN Butoh Company.
Credits: TO-EN Butoh Company & Fredrik Wretman - HIKARIMUJI, phot. Martin Gustavsson
For many years she has been living in Sweden, studying the butoh dance and body work with SU-EN – famous butoh artist, choreographer and artistic director of the SU-EN Butoh Company. During that time, TO-EN has performed in the wide range of performances and projects presented on the main Swedish stages.
In 2009, TO-EN has made her solo debut in Stockholm with the dance performance White – bialy. This solo was a starting point for TO-EN Butoh Company. In 2009 TO-EN moved back to Poland.
TO-EN works in the field of stage performances, interdisciplinary projects, exhibitions and workshops. She also holds lectures on dance and Japanese art and culture.
TO-EN develops butoh dance based on the SU-EN Method. SU-EN Butoh Method embodies the teachings of Yoko Ashikawa and the Hijikata Method in Japan 1988-1994, which later developed into the Tomoe Shizune & Hakutobo Method.
For more information please visit: www.toenbutoh.com
Instagram: @toenbutohcompany | @garden_by_toen