Posts Tagged ‘Youth Dance’

International symposium showcases youth dance talent

IDFB is welcoming two new host venues in 2012 – mac (Midlands Arts Centre) and Warwick Arts Centre – both of which are partners in an exciting international youth dance symposium taking place in Birmingham this weekend.

Hosted by ACE dance and music, Dance = Desir is the first in a series of symposiums aiming to develop a strong European youth dance network. The programme of activity, taking place at mac on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th October, includes international masterclasses, open rehearsals and film showings.

Dance = desir

There will also be a showcase of work by youth dance companies including ACE Youth, BCSE, W’ire, Being Frank Youth and Compagnie Orteils de Sable, the youth company of Les Ballets Contemporains de St Etienne.
The symposium features an exciting guest panel including Gail Parmel (Artistic Director of ACE dance and music), Mirielle Barlet (Artistic Director of Les Ballets Contemporains de Saint Etienne), Compagnie Virevolte from Switzerland, programmers from across Europe, and key figures from the UK youth dance sector.

Most of the questions being debated will revolve around the future of youth dance, and how stakeholders and collaborators can help build a successful future for international projects.

For more information or to book a place at the symposium contact ACE dance and music (spaces limited) // 0121 314 5830 or info@acedanceandmusic.com.

To book tickets for the performances (Fri & Sat, 7.30pm, £6/£4) visit www.macarts.co.uk // 0121 446 3232 (open 9am – 11pm).

Nothing invisible about (in)visible dancin’

Guest blogger and Festival Youth Ambassador Ruth Sheaves is back, this time to share her thoughts and photos from (in)visible dancin’, our two-week cycle of performances that took over Birmingham’s busy High Street during IDFB.

(in)visible dancin'

Just saw a group of dancers queue up behind a very confused man at a cash point in town and dance behind him.

I also saw people dancing in town and a little girl tried to join in!

(in)visible dancin

There was a massive crowd of people around a group of people dancing outside the Pavilions in town.

(in)visible dancin'

(in)visible dancin'

I heard someone talking about the performance. They said “Oh my god, these guys are really amazing!” So true!

(in)visible dancin'

There was massive cheering from the crowd while they were watching a dance performance and I saw loads of people taking photos and filming it. Must be IDFB!

Many thanks to Ruth for such fabulous photos.

If you’re a young person and would like to get more involved in dance activities in and around the West Midlands, drop DanceXchange a line to see what opportunities are out there.  You could join the DanceXchange Youth Forum, gain valuable work experience through volunteering, or take part in dance classes to improve your technical skills.

Click here to get in touch with our Youth Dance team!

IDFB Guest Blogger: Ruth Sheaves, Festival Youth Ambassador

Visible Dancin’ was a unique outdoor spectacle of dance expressions, reflecting and celebrating the rich mix of Birmingham’s street life. It marked the grand finale of (in)visible dancin’ – a cycle of performances that literally transformed city life into a dance performance for two weeks during IDFB. Guest blogger and Festival Youth Ambassador Ruth Sheaves shares her experience and photos of the event:

Saw a huge crowd gathering for the performance in the centre of town today!

Visible Dancin'

There were massive cheers from the crowd as the dancing started in High Street.

What an amazing performance!  IDFB got loads of other dance groups together to perform.  I saw belly dancers, street dancers, ballroom, Latin and Bhangra dancers performing.

Visible Dancin'

Visible Dancin'

Visible Dancin'

Today’s performance was a brilliant success, and I hope to see another one soon!

Thanks to Ruth for these great pics! She will be back next week with her shots from (in)visible dancin’ – don’t miss it!

If you’re a young person and would like to get more involved in dance activities in and around the West Midlands, drop DanceXchange a line to see what opportunities are out there.  You could join the DanceXchange Youth Forum, gain valuable work experience through volunteering, or take part in dance classes to improve your technical skills.

Click here to get in touch with our Youth Dance team!