InspireDance Expands!

The dance team’s InspireDance education programme is expanding in the New Year with THIRTEEN new schools coming on board! These schools include primary and secondary schools from across the county – meaning high quality dance provision will be spreading right across Lincolnshire! 

The dance team will be working closely with these schools to support them to develop and improve their current dance offer to pupils, offering a bespoke service which will meet each of the school’s individual needs. This support may include providing ideas of how to form cross-curricula links using dance, guidance on enhancing boys engagement in dance, and upskilling teachers through teacher training and mentoring. Whatever support the team provide one thing is for sure, 2014 is going to be an exciting year for dance in education in Lincolnshire!

NDTA Conference, 23rd November 2013

This year Holly and Alice from the Dance Team attended the National Dance Teachers Association Conference at Trinity Laban in London. The theme for this year’s event was dance in the school curriculum and through a number of workshops, seminars, and keynote speakers topics such as how to implement the new school curriculum, ideas for teaching curriculum dance, and the issues facing dance in schools were debated and discussed.

Alice also attended a session where examples of current research on dance in education were outlined including presentations by Lizzie Swinford (Researcher and Dance Teacher) on the role that ‘play’ has within dance teaching; Rachel Farrer (University of Bedfordshire) who's research is exploring tacit aspects of learning in dancers; and Maggie Killingbeck (University of Bedfordshire) presenting on the value of Laban’s analysis of movement in dance education.

The conference ended with a showcase of primary, secondary and youth dance held in the Laban Theatre, followed by the usual Dance Team run to the station to catch the train home!

redXco Residency

In October half term, artsNK’s street dance company redXco worked with two dancers from Boy Blue Entertainment (BBE). During the residency, they focused on working on House, Hip Hop and Locking foundation styles within the Hip Hop genre.  They also began to work towards their new dance piece which they will be performing at artsNK Youth Dance Programme Showcase and the U.Dance County Platform – True Motion.

Nathaniel ‘Sweetboy’ and Gemma from BBE delivered the 3 day residency to a very high standard. redXco learnt a lot from the 3 days and are extremely excited to put into practice what they have learnt.

A member from redXco said ‘I absolutely loved working with BBE, they are amazing dancers and delivered some great choreography.’ redXco member, October 2013.

What a busy few weeks!

Whoa! The Dance Team have been incredibly busy over the last few weeks since Zygote Festival happened in Sleaford....

We had a great time working on the festival, especially creating performance pieces for St.Denys church, Bristol Arcade and commissioning professional aerialist, Alexandra Hofgartner and her producer Cat Boot, for the spectacular aerial performance on Eastgate Green. Post Festival, we ran open workshops for local adults to come and take part in some aerial silks and lyra (hoop)..... WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE WORKSHOPS COMING TO LINCOLNSHIRE SOON!

Since then, 3 members of the dance team took their EXTEND VTCT Level 2 qualification in Chair Based Exercise, enabling them to now be fully qualified instructors for the Vitality over 60's exercise classes (held locally).  In addition, we've been very busy planning the start of DANCE FACTOR 2014!!! The popular young peoples project is back, better and ready to go! There are 10 weeks of FREE streetdance sessions for ANY young person aged 11-18 years.

 

Sessions begin on 21st & 22nd November, in various locations around NK and City of Lincoln. Have a look at the flyer for your nearest. No need to book, just turn up and take part!

 

Our programme is continuing to build and we are continually responding to requests from schools, partners and other organisations for dance activities.

 

If you know a school, teacher, board member, PTA, committee or headteacher who wants to access more dance in their school?? Ask them to contact Amy, Head of Dance Development who can advise them about our NEW dance in education programme. Launching in January 2014, we would be happy to discuss dance provision in any school within Lincolnshire.

Contact amy.dalton@litc.org.uk or 07766 422675.

 

What a busy week!

After last Sundays Zygote Festival, there was no rest for the Dance Team with another jam packed week ahead.
Monday through to Wednesday saw our Aerial workshops being held at Northgate Sports Hall in Sleaford.  On Monday, participants were lucky enough to be taught by Joe from CircusMASH UK, who also recently trained members of the Dance Team.

Amy O' Sullivan, one of the Dance Artists from artsNK, came along to the workshops. When asked what she thought about the workshops, this is what she had to say "'After taking part in the aerial workshops for 2 days, I now miss being upside down and in the air so much! Although I prefered performing the still positions on the hoop, I gained more confidence on the second day of the silks. It's really refreshing to have such free workshops as it brings new opportunities for performance and to learn something new! Thoroughly enjoyed working with the circus professional and the artsNK dance team and hope to swinging from the aerial rig very soon :)!' 

Keep a watchful eye on our Facebook page for more information on upcoming opportunities with the Aerial equipment, including more possible workshops!

Also this past week, both our Youth Dance Companies, kNacKer'd and redXco were taking part in residencies Blueprint: Media and Boy Blue Entertainment respectively. 

kNacKer'd, working with Blueprint: Media, were creating a digital film piece based on Ghost Town. The results look pretty impressive!

Photo: HollyartsNK

redXco, working with Boy Blue Entertainment, were working on a piece based around the London Riots. Again the results look very impressive!

Photo: EmmaartsNK

We also have exciting news! Dance Factor is back! It kicks off in just under a month, more details shall follow shortly so once again, keep an eye on our Facebook page for that happening! You can also keep up to date by following us on Twitter @Dance_Factor and liking the Dance Factor Facebook page!

ZoieLogic Dance Theatre

On Wednesday 16th October, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre shall be performing at theTerry O' Toole Theatre, North Hykeham

ZoieLogic Dance Theatre is an all male dance company blending 'powerful dance, submerging masculinity in immersive narrative and innovative mechanical set design to create an energetic and visceral world that gives audiences an unforgettable performance experience'.
The company shall be performing their latest piece 'Echo' which has been described as  "Phenomenal... masculine high energy dance... the whole piece felt like Apocalypse Now, dance as theatre accompanied by beautiful music" - The Warf.

'Echo' delivers a high-octane fuelled evening of entertainment. Featuring a thumping original score created by award-winning Ivan Stott and a visually stimulating set, the performance sees five male dancers take to the stage to explore the theme of lost innocence, leaving the audience with an unforgettable experience.

The production has a strong narrative with a mix of physical theatre and dance elements and takes audiences on a journey of emotions and physical responses to situations. The work is highly physical and pushes the boundaries of contemporary performance.

5 male dancers are submerged in a world of choice, where masculinity is tested.

When is innocence lost?

What happens when Arthur is pushed to a point of decision, backed into a corner where only his choice matters?

This is an opportunity not to be missed! With tickets only costing £10 / £8 Concessions U18s £6, it's a great chance to see ZoieLogic Dance Theatre in action. It's also a great way to support the evolution of male dance and introduce new people to it. Take the chance to try something new whilst it's here in Lincolnshire!

Don't forget, if you're also under the age of 26, you can take advantage of the LOV Young Person's offer for this show! That means you can watch 'Echo' for just £5. All you need is one of the LOV flyers pictured above. You can get these from the Terry O' Toole theatre or the artsNK Dance Team.

More Dancing in Schools!  

 

We had to share this fantastic article from the Arts Professional website highlighting reasons why Primary schools should spend their PE funds on dance. Its a must read!

http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/267/article/more-dancing?utm_source=Weekly-Good-Reads&utm_medium=email&utm_content=More-dancing&utm_campaign=19th-September-2013