Sivuun Ensemble & Jarmo Saari Republic: Invitation to Dance
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Date
10.10-10.10.2026
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Duration
approx. 90 min
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Venue
Pannu Hall
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Tickets
32-21 €
Show times
Fri 10.10. at 20
In addition
The event is part of Sivuun Ensemble’s 15th anniversary year together with Naapuri.
Introduction
Nine dance companies. Four musicians. One unforgettable evening.
– Dance theatre Sivuun Ensemble 15 years.
Dance theatre Sivuun Ensemble invites audiences to experience a unique encounter between the Jarmo Saari Republic band and nine independent dance companies from Finland’s contemporary dance scene. At Sivuun Ensemble’s 15th anniversary celebration, diverse dance backgrounds, movement languages and generations come together in the same space – not to merge into one, but to create something unpredictable. In an evening that celebrates the spirit of solidarity and collaboration, audiences will experience the powerful interplay of dance and live music, brought to life by fifteen dancers and four musicians.
The hypnotic music is performed by Sivuun Ensemble’s Finnish Prize-winning composer and guitarist Jarmo Saari, drummers Olavi Louhivuori and Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa, and saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen. Creating movement in real time are Jonna Eiskonen, Leena Harjunpää, Elina Häyrynen, Reetta-Kaisa Iles, Tanja Illukka, Unna Kitti, Terhi Kuokkanen, Marjo Kuusela, Heidi Masalin, Iiro Näkki, Liisa Pentti, Tuovi Rantanen, Marjaterttu Willman, Kaisa Niemi and Katerina Torp.
The participating dance companies – Sivuun Ensemble, Liisa Pentti + Co, Off/Balance, Willman Dance Company, Hitaat Liikkeet ry / Playground Co, KATVE [blind spot] Company, Common Spine Collective, Leena Harjunpää Co and Ballet Finland – create a vibrant dialogue between their distinct movement practices.
When these dance companies meet live music in real time, the result is a performance that can never be repeated in exactly the same way.
Join us for an evening celebrating the diversity of Finland’s independent dance scene – welcome to Invitation to Dance!
“The combination of Saari's virtuoso guitar playing, the diverse percussion elements and the unconventional instruments made for a breathtaking performance.” — Axel Engels, Westfälische Nachrichten 2023
Organiser: Sivuun Ensemble
Dance groups
Ballet Finland is a Finnish dance company that reinvents ballet by bringing new perspectives and influences from different dance styles into its movement vocabulary.
Common Spine Collective is an ensemble founded in 2025 by choreographer-singer Reetta-Kaisa Iles, double bassist-composer Ville Rauhala, and visual artist-musician Janne Teivainen. The ensemble produces multidisciplinary concerts.
Liisa Pentti +Co is a Helsinki-based dance company founded in 2000. Its core values are artistic integrity and a distinctive artistic voice.
Off/Balance is a Jyväskylä-based dance company founded in 2010 that breaks boundaries between art forms. Its artistic directors are Terhi Kuokkanen and Elina Häyrynen.
Willman Dance Company is a Helsinki-based contemporary dance company founded in 2012, bringing together artists united by a passion for dance and performing arts. Its artistic director is Marjaterttu Willman.
KATVE [blind spot] Company is a Helsinki-based contemporary dance company founded in 2012, known for its multidimensional and fresh contemporary dance works. Its artistic director is Heidi Masalin.
Leena Harjunpää Co is an artistic collective based in Helsinki and founded in 2014, producing contemporary dance works and other artistic projects.
Hitaat Liikkeet ry is a performing arts association founded in 2024. It organizes peer-led training activities and produces premieres under the name Playground Co.
Sivuun Ensemble & Kallo Collective: Naapuri
Acclaimed for its blend of aerial acrobatics, contemporary dance and physical comedy, Naapuri (Neighbour) takes a peek into people’s coexistence in an apartment building.
The event is part of Sivuun Ensemble’s 15th anniversary year together with the Jarmo Saari Republic & independent dance artists concert.
Credits
Concept and direction: Ninni Perko
Performers: Jarmo Saari Republic & Pauli Lyytinen, Jonna Eiskonen, Leena Harjunpää, Elina Häyrynen, Reetta-Kaisa Iles, Tanja Illukka, Unna Kitti, Terhi Kuokkanen, Marjo Kuusela, Heidi Masalin, Corinne Mustonen, Kaisa Niemi, Iiro Näkki, Katerina Torp, Marjaterttu Willman, Tuovi Rantanen
Music: Jarmo Saari – guitar, vocals, sampler, Taurus pedal, theremin
Pauli Lyytinen – saxophones, drum machine, live electronics, percussion
Olavi Louhivuori – drums
Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa – drums, percussion
Lighting design: Jaakko Sirainen
Sound mixing: Paavo Malmberg
Teaser: Janne Laiho
Photos: Tero Vuorinen, Darina Rodionova
Jarmo Saari Republic logo: Ville Tietäväinen
Producer: Juliane Mikkonen
Production: Sivuun Ensemble
Ticket information
When purchasing a ticket to Naapuri as well, you will receive your ticket at a discounted price.
Standard Ticket | 32 €
Pensioners | 28 €
Discount Ticket | 21 € Under 26, students, unemployed, those in civilian or military service, professionals.
Professionals | 21 € Tanssi- ja teatterialan ammattilaiset.
Please be prepared to present proof of eligibility for the discount.
The auditorium is unnumbered.
Tickets are available online and at the Glass Courtyard sales point at Kaapelitehdas. For ticket inquiries, please contact: info@tanssintalo.fi
Interview with Ninni Perko
In the interview, Ninni Perko reflects on the changing societal role of dance, Sivuun Ensemble’s 15-year journey, interdisciplinarity and community, as well as what inspires her in dance right now.
