2nd December 2025

Another joyful Day of Dance took place on Sunday 30 November. Thank you for hosting us Crescent Arts Centre! Members of all our Youth Engagement Projects travelled from across Northern Ireland to spend the day together.  Here are some friendly faces:

Everyone was mixed up providing opportunities to meet and move with new friends of all ages and learn from different DU Dance (NI) dance artists.  These were later shared with the audience as an insight into the way our weekly DU Dance sessions work.

Sean, the director of Belfast Boys, introduced some of the ice-breakers used at the beginning of a session to help everyone relax and focus.   ‘Rock/Sheep/Wolf’ is a fun way of encouraging a group to wake-up, think ahead, be aware of their surroundings and get the blood pumping.

Trust games are widely used in new situations.  The group demonstrated blind work where, in pairs with one taking the lead, you must walk in a straight line until tapped on the shoulder.  Used as the term progresses, this exercise is great for bonding the group.

Christine, who runs the Sutemos programme in Dungannon, chose ‘I Want You Back’ by The Jackson 5 as the soundtrack to her lively warm up session. This piece uses a lot of body parts so everyone was really warmed up which is important before any physical work but also helps to extend the movement vocabulary, control and skills.  It was really important to focus on spacial awareness on the turns in this classic pop anthem. 

Amy, a familiar face to the Suteminis in Dungannon, suggested the group move like different states across the floor.  Working in pairs, they devised movements based on Solids, Liquids and Gases.

The dancers were keen to share a favourite partner activity where you choose one part of the body to connect – on this occasion, the elbow.

Then it was time for the main event.  During the day, the group had been tasked with creating and compiling ideas into a structure and finally a dance.  Philip, the director of Alternative Energies, chose a medieval European dance originally performed in France during the winter called ‘Carole’.  Danced in a ring, chain, or linked circle and performed to the singing of the dancers it was used to keep warm.

Day of Dance always finishes on a festive favourite.  This year Sean led the groups in ‘Let it Snow’ and tied the dance to the words of the song.  Then, of course, friends and family were invited down to the dance floor to  join the fun.

Until next year!

25th November 2025

Excited to share a few photos from last weekend’s epic performances of CLASH, a large-scale, multigenerational performance uniting over 90 performers aged 8 to 92 from across Northern Ireland.

Drawing on the expertise and energy of a range of new and previous partners, CLASH blended DU Dance’s contemporary dance theatre with urban street culture to give powerful expression to the issues we all wrestle with.

Everyone involved went above and beyond to bring this show to three packed audiences at Carlisle Memorial Church and the feedback was fantastic!

“Wonderful. Heart warming to see such a range of ages so engaged.”

“What an absolutely amazing performance. I felt emotional watching it and totally immersed in the experience.”

“It felt vital in alerting people to possibilities that can be achieved when we unite for a cause.”

“My 5 years old said: ‘The only thing I would change about the show is me, I should be in it’.”

In our audience survey we ask “How do you think the arts can contribute to exploring social issues?” and they didn’t hold back! Here are a few of the responses:

“Putting thoughts and feelings into expressive action.”

“This piece answered questions in my heart that I hadn’t been aware were there. Please perform this in Stormont, so they can get a sense of what is going on.”

“By raising awareness and helping us explore social issues as it’s done in a way to make us pause, think and take action.”

“Not only does the performance have an impact on the audience through the themes explored in the show, but this project allowed for so many people from different backgrounds to come together, which can really allow for connection, conversation and growth of empathy regarding social issues!”

Thanks to everyone who came, to our funders who made this happen, from from board members to volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and, of course, the 90 performers who brought to this important issues to life.

More than a show, it was a statement, a collision, and a call to be heard.

Photo credit: Jim Corr Photography

17th October 2025

Tickets for this year’s large-scale performance CLASH are now available on EVENTBRITE.

CLASH is taking place on Saturday 15 November at 6pm, Sunday 16 November at 3pm & 6pm at Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast.

The event is suitable for all the family and tickets are only £8 or £5 for children, students and other concessions.   We can’t wait to see you there!

If you have any questions about the event, or have a group of 8+ who want to come along, please get in touch at info@dudanceni.com

Read the CLASH PRESS RELEASE for more information.

1st October 2025

DU Dance (NI) invites applicants to become our next Artistic Director.

DU Dance (NI) is Northern Ireland’s only dedicated dance development company and has been in operation for over 24 years.  It has a legacy of working with communities across Northern Ireland, the island of Ireland, UK and internationally. Our activities are recognised for their best practice and creative excellence.

The primary focus of DU Dance (NI)’s work is young people, but programmes may involve people of all ages. We introduce them to dance and the creative arts and advocate for dance as a tool for facilitating personal and social development.  A critical part of our process is bringing individuals and communities together to seek creative solutions to artistic challenges. This demands and develops sophisticated social interaction and encourages personal growth.  With performance as an integral part of the work, we provide access to innovative contemporary dance workshops and projects across communities which may often have limited or no dance provision, challenging traditional views of the relevance and value of dance.

THE ROLE

The Artistic Director will be responsible for setting the artistic vision and strategic direction for the company and ensuring the successful delivery of DU Dance (NI)’s work.

Ultimately reporting to the board, this is a leadership role requiring artistic excellence, advocacy, a strong personal drive, inspiring and inclusive team leadership and the ability to work and communicate well with our artists, communities, participants and stakeholders.

This is a significant moment in the company’s journey, as we look ahead to a new chapter of leadership following the stepping down of our founding Artistic Director, Mags Byrne.

Full details of the role can be found in the Artistic Director Application Pack 

HOW TO APPLY

Closing date for applications is 11am on Monday 10th November 2025

To apply, please send the following documents to board@dudanceni.com with the subject heading:

Subject: DU DANCE (NI) – Artistic Director APPLICATION – <Your Name>

· Written personal statement

• Please send a written personal statement outlining why you want to be the Artistic Director of DU Dance (NI), outlining the qualities and experiences you would bring, and how they meet the criteria included in this document.
• Statements should be no longer than 3 A4 pages.
• Links to examples of your work can also be included in your application and will be welcomed.

· Your CV (max 3 pages)

· Referees

Names and contact details for two employment/professional referees. (Referees will not be contacted until candidates are invited to a second interview.)

· Completed monitoring form – download HERE 

Please send the above to board@dudanceni.com by 11am on Monday 10th November 2025

(Documents can be in Microsoft Word or pdf format.)

If you would like an informal and confidential conversation about the role with the Chair, Rosamond Bennett or one of DU Dance (NI)’s Trustees prior to submitting your application, please contact board@dudanceni.com

If you have questions specific to the dance and community sector in Northern Ireland, please contact board@dudanceni.com and we will endeavour to answer any queries.

DU Dance (NI) is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we are committed to being a welcoming and inclusive place to work. If there are any barriers to you completing the application form or taking part in the interview process, please let us know. We can make adjustments to enable us to meet your needs throughout the recruitment process, as well as during your employment in the role.

DOCUMENTS

Artistic Director Application Pack PDF

Artistic Director Application Pack PLAIN TEXT

DU Dance NI-Monitoring Form-2025

29th September 2025

Mags Byrne, the founding Artistic Director of DU Dance (NI) for over 24 years, is to step down in 2026 to focus on research, project delivery and allow her time to travel.

Under her creative and committed leadership, DU Dance (NI), based in Belfast and working across the island of Ireland, the UK and internationally, has become a vibrant, progressive dance development company highly regarded for its work at the cutting edge of dance and community development.

Working through the medium of contemporary dance theatre, DU Dance (NI) has constantly pushed the boundaries of where and with whom dance has value. The company’s work focuses on young people but involves people of all ages and abilities. It was founded on and epitomises the distinctive approach that dance is a means of bringing about positive individual and community transformation, raising self-esteem, facilitating integration, and promoting attitudes based on tolerance and respect.

Mags Byrne has worked professionally in dance for over 35 years. She has performed and toured with many contemporary dance companies and choreographed and mounted projects for groups and companies all over Britain and Ireland, as well as in Austria, Ethiopia, Germany, Indonesia, Palestine, Romania, South Africa and Switzerland.

As Artistic Director she has played a vital role in delivering non-competitive, collaborative dance projects in a variety of settings – from youth centres to cathedrals, from car parks to international stages – and the work is rooted in community partnership, co-creation and a belief in the power of dance to inspire change. She leaves an incredible legacy behind, including:

·       large scale dance performances such as the Opening ceremony for the World Police & Fire Games, eMERGEncy and most recently SHIFT in August 2024

·       ongoing intercultural dance projects in Dungannon and Belfast, intergenerational work in Ballycastle and projects with young carers

·       Northern Ireland’s first boys only dance group Belfast Boys

·       major annual dance festivals Unanimous, Primary School Dance Festival and Day of Dance

Commenting on her departure, Mags Byrne has said: “I am excited to see how DU Dance (NI) will develop under a new Artistic Director and wish the whole team all the very best moving forward.  As a founding director it is hard to leave, but the time is right for both me and the company and there are more challenges and thrills ahead, so we are all embracing the change.”

Rosamond Bennett, DU Dance (NI) Chair added: “This is a significant moment in the company’s journey, as we look ahead to a new chapter of leadership. Mags has been the driving force behind DU Dance (NI) for over 24 years, building on decades of experience in community dance across Northern Ireland and internationally. Her vision and commitment have shaped a company recognised for its inclusive ethos, high-quality participatory practice, and powerful, socially engaged performance work.”

Mags Byrne will remain in post until a successor is appointed.  DU Dance NI’s recruitment for a new Artistic Director will begin in October.

3rd September 2025

26th August 2025

29th July 2025

Belfast Boys flew back from London late last night after the most fantastic trip to London to perform at the prestigious U.Dance Festival 2025 where they represented Northern Ireland.

Held at Sadler’s Wells East, a fabulous new venue in London’s Olympic Park, this is the UK’s largest youth dance festival and the boys joined hundreds of other young people from across the UK for an extraordinary weekend of performances, workshops and career development opportunities.

In the days before and after, the DU Dance team had lots of opportunities to explore the city on various forms of public transport and on foot with a Thames River Walk planned by Debs. All activities were, of course, fuelled by pizza followed by pizza!

If you’ve been following our Instagram and Facebook accounts you will have seen many of these fun and memorable moments captured by Sean and the boys as they took over our socials.  Here are just a few of the behind the scenes photos with more to come!

Thanks to everyone who has made this trip possible through fundraising and on the ground support.

2nd July 2025

Instigated by our Youth Steering Group, and following on from SHIFT which took place last August, we are busy pulling together plans for a large-scale community dance project later this year.

CLASH will involve 85 performers aged 7 – 87 years old and include a series of choreographic workshops, artist training opportunities and a residential with community dancers from across Northern Ireland, leading to four, site-specific performances in Belfast.

The project is being delivered by DU Dance in collaboration with 5th Element Belfast and choreographer Conor (Doke) O’Kane.

CLASH aims to give participants the opportunity to ‘shout’ about issues that they are passionate about, ranging from community concerns to social pressures and showing them that what they think matters. The vehicle for this expression will include urban street arts, (Breakdancing, Parkour, Graffiti, Rapping) and Contemporary Dance Theatre.

CLASH will see people of all ages and different cultural, social and economic backgrounds coming together to create this new work.

Watch this space!

17th June 2025

This month, we were very pleased to receive funding from LFT Charitable Trust’s Enriching Lives Award for our intergenerational dance programme, Alternative Energies.

The aim of Enriching Lives is to support programmes and initiatives which bring different generations together to engage in meaningful, mutually beneficial activities which encourage greater understanding and respect and contribute to greater community connectedness and cohesion.  With this important financial support, we are looking forward to a fruitful year ahead with Alternative Energies in Ballycastle.

LFT Charitable Trust is a Belfast based family foundation offering small grants and support for charitable activities. The priority of the Trust is to fund organisations which make a lasting difference to people’s lives; deliver activities that focus on reducing isolation, inequality and stigma and initiatives to inspire and empower individuals to realise their potential.