14th October 2026

We are looking for three partners for our ‘Pitch to Stage’ performance project which will connect boys and young men by bringing dance and sport together.  Do you know any sports clubs or groups in Newtownards / Ards area working regularly with boys and young men aged 7 – 18 years that might be interested?

We’re open to different physical practices — football, rugby, GAA, boxing, martial arts, gymnastics, weightlifting and similar.

The project will start with the sport when, over two dedicated sessions, a DU Dance (NI) artist will observe how the group trains and then work with the young people to translate elements of their existing physical practice into movement.

Following these sessions there will be two larger joint workshop days bringing all participating groups together with our Belfast Boys group to share and develop material together culminating in performances in Belfast and Newtownards.

The partnership will run November 2026 to March 2027.

If you are interested in working with us or know someone who might be, please do get in touch on info@dudanceni.com or complete the short form that can be found HERE

Deadline for expressions of interest is 30 October 2026.

This project is made possible with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trace – Reconciliation Fund.

A full list of Q&As on the partnership can be found below.

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Q. What time commitment is needed?
A. The two dedicated workshops will be arranged around each group’s existing training/session timetable and the workshop length is flexible. Dates for the two joint days will be agreed in advance with partners.

Q. Who leads the activity?
A. DU Dance (NI) provides the dance artist who leads the creative activity. Groups are not expected to deliver dance themselves.

Q. What support do our group leaders receive?
A. Leaders are involved as paid collaborators. They will have opportunities to observe Belfast Boys at The MAC, share their own sporting practice with our artist, and be paid for their time supporting project workshops and joint activity.

Q. Where does it take place?
A. Dedicated activity happens in the sports groups’ own spaces. Shared activity will take place in Newtownards, potentially at Ards Arts Centre, with additional activity and performance in Belfast.

Q. Who is this for?
A. Primarily boys and young men aged 7–18. No previous dance or performance experience is needed.

Q. What are the outputs?
A. Short pieces of movement work created from each group’s physical practice; two all-group workshop days; informal and/or public sharings; and performances in Newtownards and Belfast. One partner group may also have the opportunity to perform at our UNANIMOUS festival in Belfast in April. Also selected parts of the process and performances will be documented by an experienced, IFTA-nominated filmmaker.

Q. How do I find out more?
A. Contact info@dudanceni.com or fill out the Expression of Interest form HERE

5th October 2026

We’ve been nominated for the Art Explora Académie des beaux-arts People’s Choice Award and NEED YOUR VOTE.

Three community groups from Northern Ireland have been invited to create a dance piece with professional artists, which will then be transformed into an immersive installation – called ‘Traces’ – and will be open to the public.

You can cast your vote HERE.

We’re up against some incredible projects across Europe so please spread the word! Thank you

30th September 2026

After a great start with Paul Ashford, the Belfast Boys will enjoy the second of three guest-led workshops with Favour Odusola.

Favour is a Nigerian born, Dublin-based multi-disciplinary artist/creator, dance educator, facilitator, producer and performer approaching theatre from a contemporary perspective, blending multiple styles to inform narratives. His practice combines Afro-contemporary movement, dance theatre, and community engagement, creating work that centres identity, belonging, and cultural exchange.

Originally from Nigeria and now rooted in Ireland, his work bridges cultures while creating space for underrepresented voices in dance.

The initiative, generously funded by Belfast City Council’s European City of Sport 2026 programme, brings different practitioners into the Belfast Boys autumn sessions at The MAC so they can gain invaluable access to new movement styles, skills and ways of working and make connections with the wider dance community.

We can’t wait to see what they create with Favour on 10th October.

Well done to the young people on our Creative Engagement Programmes who completed the Arts Award course this summer and are now in receipt of a recognised qualification from Trinity College London.

Arts Award is a UK wide initiative which takes anyone aged up to 25 on a creative journey, exploring the arts world, discovering their potential as artists and developing leadership skills.

Our Creative Engagement Manager, Deborah says:

“Using their weekly Belfast Boys sessions as creative inspiration, they collated drawings, photographs and examples to complete the booklet.  They also had to research artists they liked and arts organisations.  This involved some work at home as well as in the studio, so they really invested time on this project.  We are so proud of all their hard work!”

Thank you to the dance artists and parents for all their support along this journey.

29th September 2026

The Belfast Boys really enjoyed sharing a new piece called ‘Lost Souls’ at Culture Night Belfast 2026.

They were jumping at the chance to be part of the celebrations at Saltwater Square, outside Belfast Grand Central Station.

Photo credit: Neil Harrison Photography

22nd September 2026

Growing from Alternative Energies in Ballycastle, our new Intergenerational Steering Group will bring younger and older participants together to help shape the development of our intergenerational work.

As with our longstanding Youth Steering Group, the intention is the group creates space for participants to reflect on their experiences, share ideas and represent the wider voices of the programme. In the longer term, a steering group ensures that the people taking part have a meaningful voice in how intergenerational work develops.

Meeting throughout the year, it is hoped members will contribute to conversations around future activity, performances, participation and how the work can continue to grow.

The inaugural meeting will take place on 7th October and we look forward to hearing more.

With huge thanks to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Reconciliation Fund, this autumn we will be busy working on a brand new project called ‘Pitch to Stage’.

Our Artistic Director Jack shares more:

“We are delighted to launch ‘Pitch to Stage’, an important project connecting boys and young men across Belfast and Newtownards by bringing dance and sport together.  Through movement, shared learning and performance this is an exciting opportunity for us to create new connections.”

More information coming soon as we reach out to sports groups to get involved.

21st September 2026

This Saturday (26 September) will see Paul Ashford from 5th Element NI deliver the first of three guest-led workshops for our Belfast Boys.

The initiative, generously funded by Belfast City Council’s European City of Sport 2026 programme, brings different practitioners into the Belfast Boys autumn sessions at The MAC so they can gain invaluable access to new movement styles, skills and ways of working and make connections with the wider dance community.

Paul is a professional Bboy with over 20 years experience performing, teaching and competing both nationally and internationally, on stage, off stage, and everywhere in between and has a long professional association with DU Dance – most recently on the creative team behind November 2025’s live performance piece CLASH which integrated dance theatre, music and dialogue in the atmospheric setting of Carlisle Memorial Church.

He is the co-founder and managing director of 5th Element NI, a unique and vibrant HipHop charity that uses the arts to engage and empower the youth of Belfast. His workshops focus on rhythm, dynamic movement, strength and balance, with a strong emphasis on play, helping participants to move more, express more, finding flow and efficiency in movement.

2nd September 2026

DU Dance (NI) is inviting applications from experienced fundraising and development consultants to work with us during an important period of organisational development.

Supported through Dormant Assets NI, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, this consultancy will provide dedicated fundraising and development expertise across the organisation from November 2026 to September 2027.

We are looking for someone who can work strategically and practically; helping us identify and pursue new income, develop relationships with funders and partners, strengthen our approach to fundraising and establish systems and knowledge that will continue to benefit DU Dance (NI) beyond the consultancy period.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE JOB PACK HERE

Applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 29 September 2026.

4th August 2026

We’re pleased to share we have been awarded £1,000 through Belfast City Council’s European City of Sport 2026 programme. This funding will contribute to our Belfast Boys autumn programme at The MAC, supporting weekly physical activity sessions and three guest-led workshops that will bring new movement practices and experiences into the space. A sincere thank you to Belfast City Council European City of Sport funding for supporting this programme and helping us create more opportunities for boys and young men to move, connect and build confidence.

#BelfastCityCouncil #EuropeanCityofSport