3rd November 2017

DU Dance (NI) has been out “on tour” recently taking dance around the regions. As part of Community Relations & Cultural Awareness Week, which took place this year from 18th – 22nd September, we delivered workshops in Primary Schools in Dungannon. Sheena led eight workshops in four schools; Windmill PS, St. Joseph’s PS (Galbally), St. Patrick’s PS (Donaghmore) and Donaghmore PS.  Approx. 232 children took part.  Thank you to all the schools and the young people involved.

For the Halloween half-term break Mags and Chris were out in the Causeway Coast & Glens area delivering four days of dance and drumming workshops as part of the council’s Peace 1V initiative.  Lots of fun was had in Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart; Roe Valley Arts & Culture Centre, Limavady and Ballymoney Town Hall.  Thank you to Elaine Gaston for organising the week so well we had a ball… Think the young people did too!

20th October 2017

On 17th of October we attended a reception on behalf of Lloyds Banking Group, to celebrate the ongoing work of the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland. Sponsored by Ms. Naomi Long MLA the event was held at Parliament Buildings and we had the opportunity to share the impacts of our youth engagement work – funded by the Halifax Foundation NI.

23rd September 2017

We had a fantastic time at Culture Night 2017. A big thank you to the 25 dancers who joined us from Alternative Energies (Ballymoney) and Sutemos (Dungannon). Culture Night is Belfast’s largest, most exciting and inclusive cultural celebration. Now in its ninth year, Culture Night brings together over 300 free events across 150 locations in Belfast City Centre in a single day. Our group traversed the streets of Belfast near the Cathedral Quarter and had fun performing a dance they had choreographed to popular music. They even got onto the local television news!!!

17th September 2017

In September members of our youth engagement projects came together for one big day of dance. This has become an annual event initiated by our Youth Steering Group. It is an opportunity for young dancers to network, engage with and support each other and have a lot of fun.  Last year the event happened in Ballymoney so this year we moved to Dungannon and the day was hosted by Dungannon Youth Resource Centre.

14th September 2017

Physical Dance Theatre

Following successful taster sessions and a dance summer school in July, in September we set up a new Physical Dance Theatre group in Belfast for boys aged 8–10 years. It is often difficult for boys to opt to get involved in dance and other creative activities as they are encouraged instead towards sports. If they do get involved they are often the only boy in a class full of girls. By setting up Belfast Boys we want to positively discriminate towards them, spark their interest, and help them to see dance as a skilful, physically challenging and really enjoyable activity. We would be delighted to welcome any new members to the group. No experience is necessary.  The group is led by Adib Ma’ani Hessari and Sean O’Neill.

Belfast Boys meet on Saturdays 2 – 4pm at the Girdwood Community Hub, Girdwood Avenue Belfast, BT14 6EG.

For more information contact us on 9033 0956 or email info@dudanceni.com.

13th September 2017

We will be starting our regular sessions in Dungannon and Ballymoney!

SUTEMINIS & SUTEMOS

Join us for Youth Dance for young people aged 12 – 24 years, every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30pm.

No Experience Necessary.

Only £1 per session.

Dungannon Youth Resource Centre, 2 Savings Bank Street (opposite Factory Shop).

ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES

Youth Dance Theatre for young people aged 12 – 18 years, every Friday from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

No Experience Necessary.

Only £1 per session

Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney.

If you are interested or know somebody who is and want to book a place, or you want more information, please contact us on 9033 0956 or info@dudanceni.com.

10th August 2017

We are setting up a new Physical Dance Theatre group in Belfast for boys aged 8 – 10 years, led by dancer/choreographer Kevin Murphy. The group will meet at the Girdwood Community Hub on Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm starting 23rd September.

If you are interested or know somebody who is and want to book a place, or you want more information, please contact us on 9033 0956 or email.

3rd August 2017

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded 2 grants from BBC Children in Need for work over the next 3 years. The main grant award will help support our new Carers Project which is being delivered in partnership with Barnardo’s NI, while the small grant fund will help continue our work with Sutemos in Dungannon. Thank you Children In Need for believing in us and our work. Can’t wait to get started!

10th July 2017

In July & August we are hosting fun, lively, taster dance activities for young people wanting to get involved in dance & performance in Dungannon and Ballymoney.

Everyone welcome, all abilities.  Get in touch if you want more information or drop us a message to confirm your place.

Alternative Energies Summer Camp – Ballymoney

31st July – 4th August, 2-5pm
Ages 12-18 years old

Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney

Cost: £10 p/p which includes a group trip on Friday 4th August to Crannagh Activity Centre in Coleraine.

This work is supported in kind by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council.

Sutemos Summer Camp – Dungannon

Monday 28th August – Thursday 31st August,1-5pm.

Ages 8-18 years olds.

Dungannon Youth Resource Centre

Cost: Free

This work is supported in kind by Dungannon Youth Resource Centre.

29th June 2017

DU Dance & Beyond Skin showcased music and dance from across the world to help celebrate World Music Day and International Refugee Week. The performance at the Braid Theatre featured a dance performance with young people from Ballymoney which had been specifically created for the event  & music performances from artists representing Syria, South Sudan, Poland, Greece, Ireland, Slovakia, Ghana & South Africa.
This unique event celebrating Féte de la Musique was a collaboration between DU Dance NI & Beyond Skin and was funded by Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It was a brilliant night, with such a strong feeling of unity.  Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.