Magpie Workshops in Amsterdam and for commissions abroad
Magpie has been scheduling workshops in Amsterdam since 1995. Every year there is a workshop by Katie Duck during the last week of December and during the first week of July and a Magpie collective workshop during the last week of August. More workshops are set yearly by requests of our apprentices and by request of the individual Magpie artists.
Each workshop centers on experimental dance or music or both. Each are intensive with three to four hours per day and can be from 2 to 5 days. Each workshop is lead by professional artists who has an interest in experimental activity in performance, music or dance and provide a combination of both practice and theory within their workshop structures.
You do not need to be a professional in order to apply for Magpie workshops. Magpie accepts all students for workshops who have an intense interest in the workshops leader’s work and is available to work intensely for the workshop period. We do not consider levels of technique in either music or dance as a prerequisite. We offer workshops in order to make the workshop leader’s work available to all who are interested intellectually as well as the practice.
Some workshops may lead to a performance platform by the workshop participants. In this case it is announced as part of the workshop brief and some experience in the practice of performance may be required. At the end of the Amsterdam Magpie collective workshop in August a performance is held by the Magpie collective.
The price is set for the student at approximately 30 euros per day. Discounts are available if you arrive in a group of up to three persons or have taken workshops with Magpie or Magpie artists previously. If you come from abroad Magpie cannot organize your housing however we can suggest for you the cheapest and best places to find accommodations in Amsterdam (see links below). Workshops are held at the studio 7 or in a space in Amsterdam appropriate to the workshop content. Usually workshops involve form 10 to 15 participants. If there are too few participants Magpie reserves the right to cancel.
You can enroll for workshops by going to Katie Duck. All workshop registrations are done on the Internet via email. You send a letter letting us know which workshop you would like to reserve a place in and then you receive a letter letting you know your place has been reserved. If the workshop is full you are placed on a waiting list. You can pay on arrival but you must let us know well in advance if you need to cancel your place.
Magpie can include a workshop alongside their touring commissions. These workshops are held in collaboration with the Magpie artists involved in the residency and is open to both music and dance artists. A workshop is required for any MELT projects with Magpie. Magpie workshops abroad are 3 to 4 hours per day - 50 euros per hour.
Email list access
Since 1995 Katie Duck has been up keeping a base of email addresses focusing on improvisation and experimental dance or music enthusiasts. This list is international and fluctuates from 1000 to 1500 email addresses. In order to be up dated about Magpie workshops taking place in Amsterdam you need to join this mailing list. You will then receive short email flyer’s announcing the up coming workshops well in advance for registration. You can do this by going to Katie Duck. Katie also keeps a list of Magpie’s workshops available in Amsterdam on her website www.katieduck.com as well on the Magpie website www.magpiemusicdance.com
We also offer our base of email addresses to any artist who needs to announce their activities. The artists need to be part of the focus group interest and pay a fee of 25 euros if there is no funding involved with their activity and 50 euros if funding is involved. If you are interested in accessing this service you need to go to Katie Duck
Links to housing in Amsterdam:
Hostels in Amsterdam
Flying Pig