Dance Video: Ballet - Achieving Perfection

The life of a ballet student, striving for the perfection that is always out of reach.

Read More

The Mark Bruce Dance Company: Love & War - Remorseful for this Criticism

In its entirety, this performance felt incomplete, we liked where Mark Bruce was going but we were not convinced that he got there.

Some powerful imagery but these were counteracted by some majorly tacky moments.

Musicians mentioned in marketing material heightened expectations. The performance did not live up to the quality of its soundtrack.

Performer Darren Ellis reminded us of Tim Roth's characters in Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction minus his talent!

Feel remorseful for this criticism because we really wanted to enjoy this performance...

If you are a fan of True Blood, watch out for the parallel in Series 2 last episode!

Read More

Dance Video: Akram Khan South Bank Show

End part of South Bank Show featuring Akram Khan

Read More

Dance Video: Hofesh Shechter discusses new work Political Mother

Hofesh Shechter discusses new work Political Mother

Read More

Dance Video: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan

Read More

Audiences double for International Dance Festival Birmingham

The second International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) came to a close this weekend, and early indications are that audience numbers have more than doubled, with over 50,000 people watching performances at the Festival this year.

Exact figures for all events, workshops, classes and activities have yet to be collated by Co-Producers DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, but reports already received show attendance at performances has increased by at least 100% in comparison to IDFB 2008.

Over 6,000 people attended the free outdoor multistage spectacular Utopia in Victoria Square, Birmingham city centre over the Bank Holiday weekend; and it is estimated that around 7,000 people experienced (in)visible dances which took place on the city’s High Street amongst shoppers and business people on their lunch breaks.

Thousands also saw the grand finale event Put Your Foot Down which was held today at Bullring and saw hundreds of people dancing the same routine, choreographed by French hip hop star Salah. The Festival comes to a close on Saturday night with the final performance of Deborah Colker’s Cruel at Birmingham Hippodrome.

David Massingham, Co-Director of the Festival added, “This year we have had in excess of 50,000 people watch performances within the Festival, which clearly demonstrates that Birmingham has an audience with a real appetite for dance. This has really put Birmingham on the map as a world centre for dance, and with the City of Culture 2013 bid going in shortly this really shows that we have what it takes to create a real cultural hotspot.”

The four week Festival began on 19 April, and since then tens of thousands of people have watched, taken part in, or experienced dance in Birmingham and across the West Midlands. Performances have happened in theatres, galleries, concert halls, foyers, on the streets, in shops and even on a canal barge.

World-class dancers and companies from 20 countries across six continents have taken part in the Festival, from Shaolin monks and Ballet Nacional de Cuba, to Mark Morris Dance Group, Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals and the UK’s own Akram Khan. The country’s first ever season dedicated to new Arab performances brought seven UK premieres to Birmingham, and the Festival also saw the world premiere of Rosie Kay’s new work 5 Soldiers The Body is the Frontline.

IDFB 2010 is one of the world’s largest dance festivals and is funded by Advantage West Midlands, Arts Council England West Midlands and Birmingham City Council, with sponsorship from Brewin Dolphin. IDFB is also working in partnership with the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012. For more information go to www.idfb.co.uk

Read More

NATIONAL DANCE CATs LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

NATIONAL DANCE CATs LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE
www.nationaldancecats.co.uk
TO RAISE AWARENESS, RECRUIT TALENTED DANCERS
AND PROMOTE UK PERFORMANCES

ʻWhen I joined the Dance CAT I immediately knew I was part of something special. It provides the best foundation for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a professional dancer.ʼ National Dance CAT graduate, currently a third year student at Central School of Ballet.

National Centres for Advanced Training in Dance (National Dance CATs) provide world-class specialist dance training as part of a broad and balanced non-residential education for 10-19 year olds, regardless of their background. The launch of www.nationaldancecats.co.uk brings the message about the availability of this specialised training, and the bursaries available, to the widest possible audience through one centralised website. A complementary community website will further enhance the profile of National Dance CATs with members able to upload photos, videos and communicate online. This is the first time that the nine Dance CATs across England have been brought together under the banner of the National Dance CATs scheme.

National Dance CATs aim to discover young dancers, give them the best possible training, develop their potential and give them a springboard into the professional dance world. At this critical stage in their development students undertake professional training and are nurtured and encouraged through a broad programme of dance activities, designed to maximise their learning and to enable them to excel technically and artistically. These include dance classes, choreography, creative practice, healthier dancer classes and working with dancers from professional companies. The training is individually specified and students are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning and realise their personal potential and creativity. Professional levels of commitment and behaviour are demanded of all students. The centres offer a range of dance training including: contemporary, urban, South Asian and ballet with the emphasis on preparation for further professional training and, ultimately, a career in dance.

National Dance CATs are part of the Department for Children, Schools and Familiesʼ (DCSF) Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) and are designed to be inclusive. Successful applicants receive bursaries, subject to a means testing process, allowing children from low income families to access free training. Current students at National Dance CATs will be participating the the MDS series of national and regional EXCELLENT! events this spring.

“Talent spotting for urban dancers largely happens outside mainstream education. Many of the young people we train learn from the internet, the street and in clubs as opposed to theatres and dance studios. Our Urban Programme is aimed at exceptionally gifted and talented, often hard to reach 13- 16 year olds, male and female, from the South West region. The CAT provides the opportunity to develop their talents and to excel.”

Viv Slayford, Programme Manager, Youth Dance Academy, Swindon Dance

Six years after the scheme began it is becoming clear how critical this kind of regionally-based high quality training is. Graduates from National Dance CATs are going on to further professional training with schools including Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, London School of Contemporary Dance, Laban, Central School of Ballet, Royal Ballet School and English National Ballet School. Dance companies in the UK and beyond are also now beginning to see the results of this exceptional scheme as CAT students move into their professional careers. Graduates of the scheme are working with Scottish Dance Theatre, Hofesh Shechter Company, Motionhouse Dance Theatre and in the West End.

ʻFew things could be more important than ensuring that the talent and skills of young people are identified and nurtured early on. The Dance CAT scheme is a shining example of what can be achieved with sustained support and joined up thinking. Long may it thrive.ʼ

Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp OBE, Chief Executive, The Place

“We should never underestimate the value of a child with special talent having the extra chance to develop their gift to the highest level. The Dance CAT scheme all importantly fills this need, and has significantly raised the bar for pre-vocational training. What they have achieved is inspiring and itʼs vital that it can carry on.”

Richard Alston, Chair Youth Dance England and founder of The Richard Alston Dance Company.

NATIONAL DANCE CATs EVENTS LISTINGS INCLUDING AUDITION AND TASTER DAYS
Full calendar of events at: www.nationaldancecats.co.uk/diary

COMMUNITY WEBSITE

http://nationaldancecats-community.ning.com/

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MDS EVENTS
Additional information about MDS EXCELLENT! Regional Events and SOUND MOVES at the Centre at: http://www.foundations-for-excellence.org/diary/
MEDIA CONTACT: Claire Willis at ElevenTenths PR
Claire.willis@eleventenths.co.uk Tel: 07951 600362

WHAT NATIONAL DANCE CATs MEAN TO STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS
“Now I feel I really have something to properly aim for and I know it is possible to achieve my dream and ambition of becoming a professional dancer.”

Female Dance CAT student, aged 12.

“The CAT has given me a higher level of training to really help with that transition between school and going on to higher level training. Iʼve learnt so much about technique, injury prevention and how to not damage your body. Its great, itʼs opened up my eyes…”

Male Dance CAT student, aged 17

“The CAT is challenging, inspiring and amazing. I enjoy the technique classes as they have really helped me to improve and evolve and I love working with professional dancers. I like being able to explore my body and create things which I didnʼt think were physically possible.”

Female Dance CAT student, aged 17

“Itʼs exciting, unpredictable and challenging. I chose the contemporary strand because I love the style and freedom with in it. The individual training plan is useful because I know what I have to work on and can push myself harder.”

Female Dance CAT student, aged 13

“Life at the CAT requires hard work and dedication, however the teachers are lovely and very considerate of other important commitments, such as school. They helped me become so much stronger and more technically able, showing me how many creative possibilities and choices there are to persue, both in my body and in dance as a whole. I have been able to work with dancers from major companies… and perform at Sadlerʼs Wells… I love my CAT!”

Male Dance CAT student, aged 16

“Students gain a tremendous sense of worth from this scheme as it identifies youngsters with potential and raw talent…”

Dance Teacher

“Entering the studio, I was greeted by laughter and chatter, young and eager faces looked up breaking into smiles. It was like being exposed to a million suns, radiant and glowing.”

Tutor, South Asian CAT, DanceXchange

“Thank you for the work you do to ensure that young talent is spotted and then developed in a professional, intelligent and supportive environment… the exceptional standard of teaching shines through … and I am delighted to have national excellence in our region and will not hesitate to recommend the Academy.”

Head of Dance, Newcastle School

“When you have a child who is determined to have a professional dance career it can be daunting and confusing, especially if you do not come from a dance background yourself. Early training is so vital for dancers but it is not easy to know what the best way forward is for your child. Becoming part of the Dance CAT means that training is mapped out in the right way for each student.”

Parent of Dance CAT student

“Discovering contemporary and creative dance has been amazing for my daughter. The fact that we are able to get a full bursary is wonderful. It means that she can have the best possible training.”

Parent of Dance CAT student.

THE NINE NATIONAL DANCE CATs

Yorkshire Young Dancers, Leeds offers two strands of training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and at Northern Ballet Theatre. Northern Ballet Theatre offers ballet focused training for students aged 10-16 and Northern School of Contemporary Dance offers Contemporary focused training for students aged 13-18.

www.nscd.ac.uk/yyd

CAT at The Place, home to London Contemporary Dance School. Dance training for 10-18 year olds with an emphasis on contemporary dance. The core curriculum also delivers a strong training in ballet technique and creative/choreographic skills. Students regularly engage with professional artists and companies creating performance pieces and learning company repertory.

http://www.theplace.org.uk/454/about/about-cat.html

Dance City Academy, Newcastle upon Tyne 

The Advanced Training Programme delivered at the Dance City CAT provides a world class prevocational training in contemporary dance to exceptionally talented young dancers between the ages of 11 to 18 years of
age. Core areas of study are contemporary techniques, classical technique, creativity/choreography and performance. We are looking to introduce a 'Performance Theatre' strand in partnership with the music CAT at the Sage in January 2011.
http://www.dancecity.co.uk/academy.php

Youth Dance Academy, Swindon Dance 

Offers talented dancers in the South West, aged 11-16 three different training programmes: a Swindon based contemporary programme with training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, creative dance & choreography plus contextual and healthier dancer studies, a Swindon based urban programme aimed at 13-16 year olds and an Exeter based contemporary programme that extends the provision further into the region, covering Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.

http://www.swindondance.org.uk/YDA/youthDanceAcademy.aspx

CAT at Laban, London
Dance training for 13-18 year olds with an emphasis on contemporary and creative dance. The core curriculum also delivers a strong training in ballet technique and creative/choreographic skills.

http://www.laban.org/php/form.php?id=345

DanceEast Academy, Ipswich

Offers a broad training in a variety of dance styles. Technique training is centred on regular ballet and contemporary classes but also includes modules of jazz and other dance styles. Other key elements of the programme are creativity, health education and performance studies.

http://www.danceeast.co.uk/academy/

CAT for South Asian and Contemporary Dance, DanceXchange. The Centre for Advanced Training based at DanceXchange in Birmingham offers a South Asian dance strand focusing on Kathak and Bharatanatyam, delivered in partnership with sampad, South Asian Arts with a national focus alongside a contemporary dance strand for the West Midlands region. The CAT is open to young people aged 11-16 years and offers students the opportunity to engage with professional artists, take part in technique classes and body conditioning work and extend their creative and choreographic skills.

http://www.dancexchange.org.uk/default.asp?id=316&sC=page57

CAT at The Lowry, Salford
The Centre for Advanced Training at The Lowry offers training in contemporary dance technique, ballet, creative and choreographic learning and contextual studies. Open to anyone aged 12 to 16 although once on the scheme further training can be undertaken up to age 18 to prepare for successful entry into a vocational dance training program.

www.northwestdance.org.uk/learn

Dance 4 CAT, Nottingham

The training programme focuses on the development of contemporary dance technique, led by artists making

dance performance. The programme has the development of young people's creativity at its core whilst exploring other dance genres, dance performance and complimentary health education.

http://www.dance4cat.co.uk/

Read More

Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker: Cruel - Disappointingly Low Audience Attendance

Deborah Colker's Cruel is modern dance with a circus edge. Attractive costume design, a stage filled with a huge moving table, knives being thrown and dancing among large rotating mirrors all create this spectacular feel.

This performance could have been interpreted as corny - moving tables and mirrors. But the agility and artistry demonstrated by the dancers around this equipment created a trance effect and was highly impressive.

A disappointingly low audience attendance for such a high standard of dance rarely seen here in the UK.

Read More

Rosie Kay Dance Company: 5 Soldiers The Body Is The Frontline - Contemporary Dance Could Hold Rosie Back!

'5 Soldiers The Body Is The Frontline' delves into the physical training for war, war itself, group dynamics, emotion, relationship, sensuality, sexuality, femininity and masculinity. Rosie wants her audience to reflect on the effects of having your actual body as the frontline, as a soldier and a dancer.

As a dancer, Rosie Kay has experienced what it's like to be struck by a dancer’s worst fear, a career threatening injury. A profound dream Rosie had during this time, whereby Rosie's leg had become separated from her body out of her reach on a desert battlefield, inspired empathic questions for Rosie about what soldiers go through when they suffer injuries on the frontline.

The stage is extensively different to war, however Rosie presented powerful parallels between the dancer and the soldier. The disturbing incongruity of dedicating your whole self, and your most precious possession, your physicality, to something that at its peak threatens to brutally sacrifice this for the cause.  For dancers the cause is art, for soldiers it is the battle. 

The curiosity of a soldier's affiliation with their body being similar to that of a dancer, led Rosie to join The 4th Battalion of The Rifles...

"I wanted to look at how the physicality of a soldier’s job defines them –like a dancer, the soldier is drilled, trained, their responses becoming automatic, but can anything prepare you for the realities of war? It is young soldiers and their bodies that are the ultimate weapon in war – their strength and weaknesses may win or lose a battle, their ability to harm or injure others is key to victory. While war is surrounded with weaponry, uniforms, history and ceremony, the real business is human, dirty, messy, painful and happening right now.” Rosie Kay

The dancers also carried out training to increase their abilities to take on the roles of soldiers. The methodology that Rosie applied to this precise composition meant that uncomfortable moments came in all the right places.

Rosie's time with The 4th Battalion of The Rifles gave an insight into the soldier’s personal experiences.  Rosie uses theatre as a means to represent soldiers as one, and uses contemporary dance to discover their individuality. For us however, contradiction or conflict came in the attempt to represent freedom of the self through a regimented dance form. The contemporary dance elements of the performance therefore at times felt displaced.

We would like Rosie to develop and embrace her inherent ability to create meaningful physical theatre. We feel that this performance showcased Rosie’s potential to meet the desperate need of unique and innovative theatre in the UK, but would encourage her to realise this through leaving her contemporary dance days behind her...in other words, we think contemporary dance could hold Rosie back! Will Rosie sacrifice her sentimentality towards contemporary dance for what we believe is her potential to really push the art form of physical theatre forward?!

Read More