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

3rd August 2026

Our Artistic Director Jack recently had the opportunity to share his life lessons with Belfast Telegraph’s Feature Editor, Áine Toner. We were delighted it made the front page!

In this new regular feature, Jack explores the lessons he’s learnt, the advice he would give his younger self and reflects on luck versus choice and why changing your socks is so important….

You can read the full article here: LIFE LESSONS

The photo featured was taken before Primary School Dance Festival at The Playhouse Derry. (Credit: Jay Doherty)

Last week, our Summer Dance Session was in full flow at Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House in Dungannon.

A whole bunch of enthusiastic dancers aged 7 to 11 got together to move and make new friends whilst exploring dance movements inspired by Latin, African and Street styles. There was a lively visit from Circusful and daily craft and game activities.

Parents felt the week was great for mental health, and enabled their children to integrate with others, have fun and build confidence. What a great way to spend time with new friends during the summer holidays!

Thanks to Ayesha and Debs for all their energy and to Joe Fox for these fabulous photos.

22nd July 2026

We’re delighted to share that DU Dance (NI) has been awarded funding through the Dormant Assets NI programme, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Through policy direction from the Department of Finance, in Northern Ireland, this money supports the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to build capacity and become more sustainable.

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest non-statutory community funder in the UK. They support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable that will strengthen society and improve lives. They are proud to award money raised by National Lottery players and work closely with Government to distribute other grants and funding from key programmes and initiatives.

Our Artistic Director, Jack Philp said: “This support comes at an exciting moment for the organisation as we look towards our 20th anniversary year in 2027. The support will strengthen DU Dance (NI) for the future through investment in fundraising, a new website and digital infrastructure, and governance, ensuring we continue to grow our work with artists, young people and communities across Northern Ireland and beyond.

A heartfelt thank you to the Dormant Assets For All fund for investing in the long-term future of DU Dance (NI). We’re incredibly grateful for the support and excited for what lies ahead.”

7th July 2026

There are few situations that bring people with different interests and generations together but our intergenerational group – Alternative Energies – does just that.

Led by Philip Johnston and Michalea Elliott and based in Ballycastle,
Belfast Boys celebrate end of termTo celebrate the end of another busy year, there were fun demonstration of class warm-ups and a sharing of films with family and friends.

With a poetry reading and musical performances by Philip Glass, Louis Armstrong and Fergus McCreadie, it was a truly special evening. As one audience member said: “It was great to see all generations joining together to sing and dance.”

The event was really well attended with an audience of 60 who were also welcomed onto the stage at the end to dance with the performers.  Afterwards everyone had stories to share and connected further over refreshments.  This celebration of energy, dance, creativity and fun is what Alternative Energies is all about.

If you know any 14-18 or 65+ year old interested in joining the group in September, please do get in touch with deborah@dudanceni.com for more information.

Thank you to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, LFT Charitable Trust, Solas Wellbeing and Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council for their support of Alternative Energies.

3rd July 2026

Saturday marked the end of another busy Belfast Boys year with a gathering of family and friends at The MAC. Sean invited EVERYONE up to join in a short, fun movement workshop to begin with, then both Juniors and Seniors demonstrated examples of their class warm-ups and movement work.

This was followed by sharing of the short films Sean and the boys have made.

Belfast Boys Seniors film is called ‘ENNUI’ and is composed by one of the senior dancers, Noah. It explores the feelings of rest and listlessness and one parent said: “Today’s performance was incredibly moving and so important as a showcase for how dance contributes to young people’s development. I’m so grateful that my own boy gets to be part of such an important initiative.”

Watch the Belfast Boys Senior film at: https://vimeo.com/1205760259?fl=pl&fe=sh

Belfast Boys Juniors turned up the tempo with their film ‘GO!’ which saw them energetically exploring spaces in The MAC and outside areas. It really encapsulated the energy, creativity and enthusiasm the boys have for dance.  You can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/1205762628?fl=pl&fe=sh

Parents feedback about this project is so encouraging: “The freedom to move, feel and express real emotions through dance as well as having fun is so important.”

The event came to a close, certificates were handed out and big plans made to get back together in September for the new term. Why? Well in the words of one family: “Belfast Boys makes our Saturdays great!”