REPORT: OFFBEAT AGORA’S LAUNCH IN LARNACA

Offbeat Agora’s debut

Offbeat Agora launched its transnational professional development initiative in Larnaca, Cyprus with an evening of exchanging ideas and experimentation on 26 July 2023 at Kleidi Cafe Bar.

The debut began with an Artist Exposé gathering artists, journalists and cultural producers together to discuss the topic of arts marketing and promotional practices, before Kleidi overflowed with creativity as the Jam Explosion took off later that night - marking Larnaca’s very first jam session.

Founded by Among the Ants (Athens, Greece) and SCALA (Larnaca, Cyprus), Offbeat Agora aims to foster dialogue among musicians and performing artists and nurture their self-empowerment to boost their professional capacities.

The initiative facilitates a series of Artist Exposés to discuss selected topics, organises improvisational Jam Explosions, as well as workshops, mentorship programmes, artist residencies, and cross-border collaborations. Offbeat Agora cultivates a mentality of striving for constant development among local and transnational artists at any stage of their careers, with the goal of boosting professionalisation, innovation, and co-creation in the music and performing arts sectors.

Entitled, “Promoting Music & Performing Arts: Tools & Best Practices”, Offbeat Agora’s sold-out inaugural Artist Exposé was mediated by social linguist and public speaker Andia Mavromati. The participants represented a range of sectors including performance venues, music critics, curators, as well as artists from the music, theatre, performing arts and visual arts sectors. Guided by the Offbeat Agora founders, Maria Kaimaklioti (SCALA) and Constantina Georgiou (Among the Ants), the Artist Exposé invited participants to explore the value of marrying targeted promotional strategies with the creator’s very own artistic identity.

After the two-hour discussion, Offbeat Agora celebrated with a Jam Explosion, hosting Larnaca’s very first jam session and welcoming a creative outpouring from registrants and Kleidi’s visitors alike.

Participants left Offbeat Agora’s first Artist Exposé and Jam Explosion with an expanded network of artist and art workers to collaborate and exchange marketing perspectives with before the follow-up conversation takes place online on 28 September 2023.

Participation available on a first come, first served basis and secured via online registration at offbeatagora.eventbrite.com