DanceEast is offering a chance to take part in a series of six, one-day workshops for young dance groups and their group leaders. The Open Workshops are part of a programme of activity developed to celebrate the National U.Dance Festival taking place in Ipswich at the Jerwood DanceHouse. Follow along with all activity on social media with #EastYouthDance.
The workshops are designed to give young dance groups in the region a chance to have first-class dance tuition in fantastic studio spaces. The workshop days are also an opportunity for everyone to come together and share their enthusiasm for dance. Working alongside their leaders, groups will learn new skills that can continue to be developed in their regular classes.
These free one-day workshops are open to youth dance companies and extracurricular groups between between the ages of 11 – 19 years, (up to 24 years for those with additional needs) joined by their group leaders.
U.Dance Festival 2018 will take place at the Jerwood DanceHouse from Friday 13 – Sunday 15 July. Tickets will be available to watch performances on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July by the very best youth dance talent in the UK.
Workshops
Workshop One | Lindy Hop with Temujin Gil
Tuesday 29 May, 10am – 4pm
Take part in one of the most enjoyable dance forms to have come out of the golden era of jazz and 1930’s Harlem. Lindy Hop is the forerunner to Swing, Jitterbug and Jive, bringing together elements of original jazz dances in a vibrant and infectious partnered dance form. Temujin Gill, Grounded Movement Artistic Director and London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony choreographer, will guide you through the basics plus some fun and challenging vocabulary leaving you breathless but wanting more.
Workshop Two | Acrobalance and Hand-to-Hand with Nikki & JD
Tuesday 29 May, 10am – 4pm
Nikki & JD are an acrobatic duo and contemporary circus troupe to excite and enthuse with a workshop to develop physical skills and understand a different way of using the body. They use a sampling of acrobatic techniques, including handstands, floor acrobatics, partner balances and group lifts and climbs with a focus on balances, lifts and ‘tricks’ that can be explored by students to develop skills and ideas for group-led acrobatic sequences. Nikki & JD performed in the critically acclaimed production of Kin at the Roundhouse’s CircusFest 2016 with circus company Barely Methodical Troupe.
Workshop Three | Urban Kathak with Sonia Sabri
Saturday 2 June, 10am – 4pm
Learn the fundamental principles of Kathak technique and how movement, music and particularly rhythms craft an intimate interaction. The vocabulary will combine a range of elements such as spins, footwork, body and spatial geometric patterns and lyrical spine work. All this will be set to time structures and Indian Beat-box, interpreting percussion music through the physical. The workshop will be led by Sonia Sabri, Kathak artist and mentor and choreographer for BBC Young Dancer.
Workshop Four | Free Flowing Hip-Hop with Joseph Toonga
Sunday 3 June, 10am – 4pm
Immerse yourself in the rhythms and energy of hip-hop and delve into the unique style of Joseph Toonga. A dance fusion appealing to all, learning hip-hop foundations to freestyle and explore tension, isolation and intention with movement. So join in the dancing spirit with high energy, fun music and dance.
Workshop Five | Introducing Latin & Ballroom with Ipswich School of Dancing
Sunday 3 June, 10am – 4pm
Experience the flavour of true Ballroom & Latin American dancing, with a whistle-stop tour that’ll take you from the elegant Waltz to the cheeky Cha Cha Cha. You will explore a wide range of movements, rhythms, timings, body actions, footwork and leg actions that will enrich and complement your knowledge of dance, working solo as well as in partnerships. Hone your own unique style with an infusion of Latin passion and Ballroom charm, as you discover the origins and characteristics of these exciting genres of dance.
Workshop Six | Giselle Explored with English National Ballet
Sunday 3 June, 10am – 4pm
Exploring the concepts, themes and aesthetic of Akram Khan’s Giselle, this one-day workshop, led by a dance artist from English National Ballet will focus on specific exercises, creative tasks and phrases of repertoire from the production.
Apply Today
Download your application form here.
Applications should be emailed to chrissie.moore@danceeast.co.uk by Tuesday 1 May.
