Tbilisi SPP #9 Field Notes (Babushkas)

June 13th, 2025, Dighomi Park, Tbilisi, Georgia

Duration: 2 hours, 6:30p to 8:30p from meeting place, warmup, and end.

Players: 6 performers, 1 camera person (2 performers alternated as camera persons)

Rita Soma (ES)
Tanya (RU)
Tayna (RU)
Larisa Chernaia (RU)
Nikita Baskov (RU)
Adam Koan (USA)

For our 9th SPP in Tbilisi, we decided to come themed as babushkas (Soviet/slavic grandmas) for women. The two of us men came as what we thought to be of old man fashion.

The SPP (Spontaneous Performance Procession) is a happening where dancers process around a given terrain for a set time and break out into mini body-based performances based on site-specific resonance. For detailed info on the SPP, see https://shadowbody.com/spp.

Every SPP is unique and we pick an entirely new location every time we do it. We also try and add a new way of doing the parade without breaking from the general SPP structure. We chose, at least, to come more uniformly with babushka costume (and for guys, old men fashion).

The event began on an awkward note. At the starting point, a Georgian man heckled me about wearing pink, even though it was just a men’s polo shirt. I had chosen to resemble a Floridan retired golfer from The Villages (for those who know, know). The situation felt tense and could have escalated into a fight if we hadn’t walked away. However, once we reached the actual park and surrounding area, the atmosphere shifted. People there were generally respectful, and some even recorded the performance on their phones. Such is the nature of these parades. Nobody knows how others will react.

This parade unfolded amid an abundance of unique, winding trees and wild bushes—a setting that could just as easily smother creativity as spark it. Yet on this day, inspiration flowed freely, with numerous breakout performances.

Three of the babushkas appropriately found sticks to use as walking sticks which added to their characters.

Aside from a few tolerable nuisances—mosquitoes, itchy grass, and a thorn from a honey locust tree piercing my side and striking a vein, causing some bleeding—the event went relatively smoothly.

Further Observations

Compared to some earlier parades, this parade managed to find a very nice balance between a clear procession and a clear breakout performance. Before, sometimes the line was a bit hazy.

There was also a nice balance between a casual, neutral walk within the procession and a stylized (even danced) procession.

The costumes may have assisted in keeping group cohesion and performitivity.

Future of SPP

After the parades, it has become tradition to meet at a cafe or restaurant to both wind down and talk about what had just occurred. This time, we simply made our way to a nearby park, brought out our own snacks, and began reflecting on the experience while discussing ideas for future events. One suggestion was to hold a night parade, featuring pajamas and props like pillows. Another idea was to livestream the entire event at some point.

Many more unique ideas are sure to emerge for taking the SPP even further, and I’d be thrilled to be part of that ongoing evolution.