1st July 2019

In July and August, two of our Steering Group were involved in an Intercultural Youth Exchange called “Crossing Borders” – run by Hostelling International NI in partnership with DJH.

The project allowed them to work with 8 other young people from Northern Ireland and 10 young people from Germany, all aged 16-18 years. The first leg of the exchange took place in Northern Ireland, with the second leg taking place in Berlin, Germany.

Themes explored in the project included the connection of both Berlin and Belfast being cities that have experienced – or still experience – division by walls as well as the impact of conflict on young people.

From Friday 21st – Tuesday 25th June this Creative Schools Project brought generations together through dance, music, costume and makeup.  Alan Clarke led on the dance along with our artistic director Mags Byrne, and music was provided by Fade to Black.

In total, 20 young people were involved alongside 45 older people in what was a truly heartening event.

Conway Square in Newtownards was the venue as 200 children joined together in a flashmob on 7th August to raise awareness of the effects of single-use plastics. Our artistic director Mags Byrne worked alongside dance artist Ciarán Grey delivering a series of workshops in the run-up to the event.

During the 20-minute performance, the children filled the square with protest chants and dance. They were joined by BEATNDRUM Samba Band and Professor Plastic Not Fantastic in highlighting key plastic pollution facts and figures.

This event was part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s summer scheme programme and funded by the council’s Recycling Community Investment Fund (RCIF).

Belfast Boys finished their term with a sharing for parents and friends in the David Hill Studio at The Crescent Arts Centre on 22nd June.

The strong core of 10 performed their new dance piece choreographed by the boys with Sean O’Neill and Tommy Bell.

Sutemos took part in Cookstown Summer Carnival on Friday 28th June. It proved to be a delightful way to kick off the summer as the young dancers performed to a joyous crowd – with fantastic drummers helping to keep everyone’s feet dancing throughout.

20th June 2019

Deadline for Feedback: Wednesday 10 July 2019
Read the draft cultural strategy here
Click here to provide feedback

Belfast City Council have launched their draft Cultural strategy for 2020- 2030 and the plan is open for feedback until 10th July 2019.

This 10-year cultural strategy has been developed following thousands of conversations that have taken place since 2017 as part of an ongoing public engagement programme. This strategy is also a consolidation of the foundation, commitments and achievements of several preceding strategies and frameworks.  It commits the city to facilitating a new integrated phase of culture-led development, with the individual citizen at the heart of this process.

The strategy presents the overall approach, themes and priorities for integrated cultural development over a ten year period.

You can have your say on the strategy by clicking here.

19th June 2019

DU Dance (NI) featured in Mid Ulster District Council’s first ever Good Relations showcase on 18th June 2019. The event, which took place in the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown, brought together a number of organisations that work with the Council to deliver invaluable programmes to the community.

Our dance film ‘Relocate’ – an intercultural project exploring themes of migration and settlement – was featured as part of the showcase, and our artistic director Mags Byrne was in attendance to discuss the work we do.

Click here to read more about ‘Relocate’.

25th May 2019

Flowerfield Arts Centre was the setting as Alternatives and Alternative Energies treated a ninety strong audience to a celebration of dance on 24th May.

Aaron Callan, chair of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee, provided the opening address. The evening featured a performance of ‘Abstraction’ by Alternative Energies, and  a piece titled ‘Dance Through the Ages’ – as well as a screening of the short film ‘Not Alone’. The programme concluded with a joint performance from Alternative Energies and Alternatives.

Thanks to Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, in particular Desima Connolly, for hosting this event and for their continued support throughout the year.

Project funding provided by Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation.

20th May 2019

On Saturday 18th May The Junction in Dungannon hosted the latest screening of ‘Relocate’. This follows on from the film’s premiere in April.

‘Relocate’ is a dance film project from Sutemos and Suteminis bringing together children and adults from the traditional communities within Dungannon and newcomer children and adults. The project was supported by both Dungannon Youth Resource Centre and South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP).

The sixty strong audience – including some of the young participants and their teachers – was delighted and moved in equal measure by the film and its themes of migration and settlement.

Thanks to our funders:

DU Dance (NI) Principal Funder: Arts Council of Northern Ireland
BBC Children in Need
Community Relations Council
This project has been supported by The Executive Office funded through its District Council Good Relations Program
in partnership with Mid Ulster District Council

17th May 2019

DU Dance (NI)’s short film work will be showcased as part of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival.

On Sunday 19th May at 4pm the Strand Arts Centre will screen a collection of shorts films by John Deery, DU Dance (NI) and McGill University in Montréal. The event will also feature a panel discussion.

For more information about the event, click here.

About Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival

NIMHAF is a festival highlighting mental health by showcasing arts and film events across Northern Ireland. The festival runs from 6th-31st May 2019.

Click here to find out more.