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What Is the Nelken Line?
The Nelken Line is a sequence of simple movements representing the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—created by choreographer Pina Bausch as part of her 1982 work Nelken. The movements are performed in a line to Louis Armstrong’s recording of “West End Blues.” Since 2017, people of different ages, backgrounds, and physical abilities around the world have learned and performed the sequence.
Our Fall 2026 Nelken Line
This fall, Scrollworks students will help lead our own Nelken Line. Student and adult volunteer Nelken Line Leaders will learn the movements and then teach them to other students during our teaching day on Saturday, November 21. Before our semester concert on Saturday, December 5, the leaders will also help teach and review the movements with everyone participating.
Our orchestra will perform an arrangement of “West End Blues” as the line moves through the performance space. Students do not need dance experience to participate. The movements are simple and can be adapted for different physical abilities.
See the Nelken Line Around the World:
These examples show how the Nelken Line can be performed in different places and adapted for different groups.
Looking Ahead: An Alabama Camellia Line
In spring 2027, we plan to develop an Alabama-inspired version called the Camellia Line, named for Alabama’s state flower. Rather than using the original four-season movements, Scrollworks students will create their own sequence of gestures reflecting Alabama, their communities, and their experiences. The orchestra will perform “Stars Fell on Alabama” to accompany the line.
The Camellia Line will build on what students learn from the Nelken Line while giving them responsibility for creating and teaching an original collaborative performance.
Interested students can register for free Nelken Line Leader Training through the Fall 2026 registration form.
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