Welcome to Open The Arts – your festival for Lindy Hop, movement, and performing arts!
Here, swing meets the stage, creativity meets curiosity – and you’re right in the middle of it all!
Open The Arts is more than just a festival – it’s an invitation to draw inspiration from the spirit of swing culture, enjoy the silliness of impro-theater, or let your hidden joker out with some stand-up comedy. Immerse yourself in a world where the rhythms of jazz guide your steps and artistic expression opens new doors.
Our wish is to create a space where you can try new things and create a program for yourself filled with the things that excites you the most. We believe the most exciting adventures begin where curiosity meets art!
What Awaits You at the Open The Arts Festival?
👉 Inspiring Workshops: Choose from a diverse lineup and let yourself be swept away by talented artists. Whether it’s Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, Soft Shoe Tap, Improv Theater, Movement, Comedy, or Poetry – find your creative flow here.
🕺 For all skill levels: Most workshops are beginner-friendly and perfect for trying something new – no prior experience needed! Plus, Lindy Hop enthusiasts can enjoy specialized sessions tailored for both absolute beginners and seasoned dancers. There’s something for everyone!
🎭 Explore new art forms: Discover a wide range of artistic expressions – from the playful grace of dance to the profound impact of poetry. In each session you can choose how experimental you want to be, how serious or silly you want to be. We are all in, are you?!
🤝 Connect to the community: Connect with like-minded people, share ideas, and create unforgettable memories – whether in the workshops or during lunch and over a drink at the parties.
🎉 Unforgettable party nights: Immerse yourself in the sounds of Team Lindy Hop Saarbrücken’s DJs and the artistry of three exceptional live bands, filling the air with timeless swing tunes. Three nights of music, dance, and unforgettable moments await you!
🌟 Take the Open Arts Stage: Dreaming of stage? Wishing to stand in the spotlight? We have a grand theater hall waiting for you and our warm OTA audience is ready to cheer you on! Whether you're ready to put yourself out there, or simply enjoying the show you are welcome to attend our Open-stage act on Sunday afternoon. Here, anything goes, but nothing is required.
Join us, go crazy and savor every moment – on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience!
#letsopenthearts
Come by, try something new, and let your creativity run wild! No prior experience is needed for most of the workshops—except for Lindy Hop, where we have a special beginners’ workshop just for you. Whether it's dance, improv, or comedy, it's all about having fun and discovering new sides of yourself!
It is more than just a dance – It’s a living history! Emerging from Harlem in the late 1920s, Lindy Hop is deeply rooted in African American culture, blending influences from jazz, Charleston, and blues. This dance thrives on improvisation – it encourages you to move freely with the rhythm and groove. Pioneers like Frankie Manning and Norma Miller took Lindy Hop from Harlem’s lively clubs to stages around the world. It’s a dance of freedom, expression, and connection – both with your partner and the music. Dynamics and a lively spirit is what makes Lindy Hop so special!
A Dance of Rhythm, Freedom, and Expression. Solo Jazz is also part of the African-American dance traditions of the 1920s and 1930s, connected to Lindy Hop and present in the jazz clubs of Harlem. It developed as a form of Individual dialogue with the music, opening doors to distinctive styles of movements. The dance thrives on improvisation and personal expression, allowing you to move individually to the music. Solo Jazz is not just about technique, it’s about your own vibe with the music and translating that into movement.
Rhythm and Elegance in Motion. Soft Shoe Tap is related both to African-American and Irish dance traditions. It evolved in the early days of American entertainment theater. Unlike the loud sound of traditional tap dance, this style is performed in soft shoes, creating a smooth, flowing sound. The dance was especially popular in Vaudeville shows and early Hollywood films. Soft Shoe Tap is an elegant and creative way to produce rhythm with your feet. It’s about developing a keen sense of timing and groove - it turns your body into an instrument that tells its own story!
Spontaneity and Fun in Every Moment! Improv theater is like a fun, spontaneous adventure – no script, no plan, just an unexpected act! It’s all about playing, creating new characters, and crafting funny and somewhat wild scenes. Anything is possible when you trust your fellow performers and let your silliness out. Step onto the stage and embrace a bit of chaos and a whole lot of laughter!
Discover Your Body’s Potential. Movement is more than just dancing—it’s about tuning into your body and exploring what it’s capable of. Whether through flowing motions, improvisation, or body awareness, you’ll rediscover yourself in your own physical space. It’s about freedom, expression, and connecting with your own rhythm—without limits!
The Art of Making People Laugh. Comedy is the art of bringing laughter through jokes and word play, timing, and creativity. It’s about telling stories, adding unexpected twists, and drawing the audience into the moment.In this workshop, you'll learn how to make people laugh with witty observations, clever ideas, and plenty of fun on stage. This artform is about discovering your own sense of humor and sharing it with others.
The Power of Words and Expression. Poetry is the art of transforming thoughts and emotions into words. It is about the magic of written and spoken words. Inspired by the dynamics of poetry slams, you are invited to find your voice and unique style of writing and performing.Here, you can turn your ideas and emotions into creative, captivating language. Draw the audience in with every word and tell stories in a powerful way. Here is the place where feelings, thoughts, words and different voices are making an impact with every line.
Theater am Ring in Saarlouis, located near Saarbrücken, is a unique venue that pulses with artistic energy. Under this roof and on its stages, our festival unfolds.
Address:
Theater am Ring
Kaiser-Friedrich-Ring 2
66740 Saarlouis
By Public Transport:
From Saarlouis Main Station, take the following lines: 401, 402, 403, 413, 415, 437, 438 to the "Landratsamt" stop (approx. 7 minutes).
By Car:
Take the A620 motorway, exit Saarlouis-Mitte (3), head into the city on Metzer Str. (B 405) until the roundabout, and take the 2nd exit onto Lothringer Str. At the end of the street, you’ll find the "Theater am Ring" directly across.
Are you coming to our festival by car and have empty seats? Still looking for a ride? Check out our Carpooling Facebook group! Carpool together – save money, protect the environment, and make the journey part of the experience!
Reduced prices are available for students, apprentices, employees in voluntary service, people with disabilities, unemployed and all people in need.
For more financial support check out our suspended dance classes.
We want to make it possible for everyone to take part in our festival, no matter how big their wallet is. That's why we are also offering the concept of "suspended (dance) classes" for the Open the Arts Festival, similar to the idea of a "suspended coffee".
Can you spare a euro or two to support other participants financially?
Cool! Simply enter how much more you are happy to pay in the "Geschobener Tanzkurs" section of the registration form. The amount will automatically be added to your booking.
Are you short of money at the moment and would like to make use of the "suspended (dance) classes"?
No problem! Simply specify the amount you'd like to reduce in the "Geschobener Tanzkurs" section of the registration form.
For any question and request you are warmly welcome to reach out to us by email at info@openthearts.de
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