15th March 2021
Through the ACNI Stability and Renewal Funds, six young dancers aged 16 and over from the company’s youth engagement programme, will be commissioned to choreograph a short piece for showcase at an informal sharing in August.
The company currently mentors artists in Ethiopia and in Bethlehem. The work of one of the artists from Addis Ababa was recently the subject of a double page spread in The Stage newspaper. Listen out for a programme on her on BBC World Service at the end of March.
In Bethlehem, we are in conversation with our partner organisation, Diya Arts Theatre, about an artists exchange project. More information on this to follow in our next newsletter.
In partnership with Tinderbox Theatre and Powerstone Productions, 15 young dancers from Sutemos and Suteminis Youth Engagement project in Dungannon will begin rehearsals and filming in Summer 2021 for the second stage of the Little Stranger project. This will lead to the creation of a short film to be screened at the Eastside Arts Festival in August 2021. The event will also involve a panel discussion around the impact of child migration.
DU Dance (NI) dance artist Sheena Kelly delivered four pre-recorded dance workshops, tailored to the Causeway Crew in Ballymoney, a group for participants with disabilities. Each video was uploaded to their private Facebook page and tailored to their interests over the month of February.
Sutemos celebrated their 10th birthday on 3rd March with an online party that saw 36 new and old dancers coming together to dance and share their favourite memories. The 10-year celebration film showcasing all the group’s accomplishments over the years went out on social media to over 5000 views.
“One of the most significant and formative experiences of my adolescence which I have always treasured” Sutemos dancer.
This term due to the current restrictions our Youth Engagement Projects stayed online participating in weekly classes, an “Express Yourself” week of open workshops to celebrate & promote Mental Wellbeing, a Manic Monday Disco and a series of Masterclasses in different genres with invited dancers from across the UK. Each of our youth dancers was delighted to receive their third ‘Goody Bag’ in the post filled with great ideas to help with mental wellbeing at this tough time. We look forward to getting back in-person after the Easter break. YEP Class information here
“Thank you so much for the pack, it’s so awesome” YEP Participant.
“Thanks so much for the wonderful fun-filled packs” YEP Parent.
Inter-generational Film ‘Tides’ screened in February as part of WANDA: Feminism and the Moving Image Festival, Young carers film #5 was showcased to a family audience in Enniskillen in December and ‘Through Our Eyes’ which brings together the first five films of the Young Carers project premiered at Belfast Children’s Festival in March.
“Can’t recommend watching this enough. Loved it. So moving it brought a tear to my eye. Beautifully shot and put together. Congrats to everyone involved. You kids are all awesome”
Online audience member for ‘Through Our Eyes’
Youth Dancers from Ballymoney, Belfast, Dungannon and Enniskillen attended Unanimous 2020 which looked a little different to previous years. Each group performed their own choreography in the outdoor location of The Lid, Crawfordsburn Scout Centre and took part in a live streamed masterclass by Rob Anderson from the Gary Clarke Dance Company.
The December weather did not dampen the spirits of the young dancers who had lots of energy and excitement on the day with lots of positive feedback received afterwards.
Thank you to all the groups who performed & their leaders in creating choreography under challenging circumstances.
12th March 2021
This week we have a Breakdance challenge from Rob in Newcastle Upon Tyne as part of our weekly #DUDanceChallenge.
Want to give it a go, then check out the step-by-step guide below.
Don’t forget to share your moves on social media with the hashtag #DUDanceChallenge.
Find us on social media:
Facebook: dudanceni Twitter: @DUDanceni Instagram: du.dance.ni TikTok: dudanceni
Step-by-step guide Challenge 18
5th March 2021
This week our #DUDanceChallenge has been set by Meseret in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Want to give it a go, then check out the step-by-step guide below.
Don’t forget to share your moves on social media with the hashtag #DUDanceChallenge.
Find us on social media:
Facebook: dudanceni Twitter: @DUDanceni Instagram: du.dance.ni TikTok: dudanceni
Step-by-Step guide DU Dance Challenge 17