6th August 2020
We have been giving members of our Youth Engagement Projects a voice with a podcast project exploring their experiences of life in lockdown.
As part of the project these young people have been reflecting on what they have learned about themselves, how they have been passing the time, the challenges they have faced, their hopes for the future and more.
Our Artistic Director Mags Byrne attended the Virtual Trauma Summit on 22nd and 23rd June 2020 as part of our ongoing research project exploring trauma.
The summit was presented by Action Trauma and featured world-leading experts.
Watch this space for news about the research project as it develops over the coming months.
To mark World Indigenous Day you can watch ‘Out of Place’ as part of Virtual Féile 2020. ‘Out of Place’ is a story of a people accustomed to adversities and forced migration to unfamiliar realms. Between leaving, farewells, arriving, yearning and hope, to uprisings, incursions and more, one keeps searching for freedom in times dominated by occupation, consumerism and fanaticism. Youth are torn apart between the desire to stay or leave, where do they feel out of place?
You can register to watch ‘Out of Place’ for free here. The virtual screening will take place at 4:30PM on Sunday 9th August 2020.
The young people from our Youth Engagement Projects have been keeping active and connected during lockdown with Manic Monday Discos.
These discos have allowed members of our various groups to join together (albeit virtually) in fun sessions facilitated by our leaders Janie, Sean and Sheena.
Ahead of the discos we also posted out Connection envelopes filled with personal messages and goodies to all our participants.
Members of our Youth Engagement Projects have been busy putting together a collection of photos documenting their personal experiences of lockdown: from time spent with family (including furry friends) to catching up on studies, to celebrating birthdays and everything in between.
The collection of images will be sealed away as a ‘time capsule’ – allowing the young people to look back on these times in the future.
Over 12 weeks we produced a series of fun social media challenges to encourage everyone to keep dancing during lockdown. The project included a number of artists that have been, or are currently, involved in our work – artists from Austria, England, Ethiopia, Northern Ireland, Palestine & USA.
Don’t worry if you missed out the first time around – below you will find links to all of the challenges!
This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
3rd August 2020
Our youth dance theatre classes have moved online! These weekly sessions are delivered via Zoom and use dance, movement and music in fun, energetic workshops leading to performances.
No experience is necessary and everyone is welcome.
If you have young people interested in joining one of our youth groups please get in touch.
E: info@dudanceni.com
Read on for details about each group.
Suteminis
Wednesdays 3PM to 4PM
Delivered via Zoom
Ages 7-11
No Experience Necessary
Free
Artist: Sheena Kelly
Sutemos
Wednesdays 6PM to 7PM
Delivered via Zoom
Ages 12-18
No Experience Necessary
Free
Artist: Sheena Kelly
Belfast Boys – This group is for boys only
Saturdays 3PM to 4PM
Delivered via Zoom
Ages 9-13
No Experience Necessary
Free
Artist: Sean O’Neill
Alternatives
Fridays 2PM to 3PM
Delivered via Zoom
Ages 7-11
No Experience Necessary
Free
Artist: Janie Doherty
Alternative Energies
Fridays 3:45PM to 4:45PM
Delivered via Zoom
Ages 12-19
No Experience Necessary
Free
Artist: Janie Doherty
24th July 2020
It’s the final week of DU Dance Challenge! Check out Junaid’s demonstration video below then click here for a step-by-step guide.
Have a go at home and share your moves on social media with the hashtag #DUDanceChallenge!
During Covid-19 Lockdown DU Dance (NI) put out 24 dance challenges created by artists from across 10 countries that we work with directly or our partner organisations work with.
Each challenge has a step by step guide for you to try, so enjoy and remember to share your moves with the #DUDancechallenge
Click here to see each Step-by-Step guide.
Find us on:
Facebook: dudanceni
Twitter: @DUDanceni
Instagram: du.dance.ni
TikTok: dudanceni
Snapchat: dudance_ni
17th July 2020
It’s week 11 of DU Dance Challenge! Have you seen Sheena’s video and want to give it a go?
Check out the step-by-guide below and try it out at home! You can find the music used in Sheena’s challenge here.
Don’t forget to share your moves on social media with the hashtag #DUDanceChallenge…
Find us on:
Facebook: dudanceni
Twitter: @DUDanceni
Instagram: du.dance.ni
TikTok: dudanceni
Snapchat: dudance_ni
Catch up with week 10’s challenge here.