Dancescape in 2012

Staffing and key activity
As from Thursday 9th February 2012, Sarah Jassal (Sub Regional Dance Development Officer and Dancescape project manager) will be on maternity leave and will return at the beginning of August 2012.

Cathryn Goodwin has been contracted as a Project Manager on a freelance basis to manage Dancescape’s project commitments through to the summer. Cathryn will be working 2 days per week to specifically work on the following projects:

Movin’ On Up dance careers event – Saturday 24 March, 12-4pm at Stratford-upon-Avon College
Outdoor Dance Programme (led by DanceXchange) – bringing ‘Spill – a playground of dance’ to parks in Coventry, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, Kenilworth and Warwick, and ‘Breathe the Beat’ roadshows to Leamington and Solihull
Boys Dancing (led by Warwick Arts Centre) – managing a team of Apprentices who are working alongside professional male dance artists across the region to develop their dance leadership skills whilst creating The Quiet Man Suite, a suite of 6 films, with groups of boys and young men
Dancescape enews – keeping the sector and audiences informed of opportunities to take part and see dance in the sub region throughout the Spring and Summer
Rugby Youth Dance Company – supporting the company’s leaders and members in a range of activity, including their part in Godiva Awakes, the large scale Cultural Olympiad project led by Imagineer Productions
Supporting the realisation of a number of other projects such as Motionhouse’s The Voyage/Quest, Sampad’s Moving Earth, Dance Sansaar’s Lawk Naach and SMBC’s Neighbourhood Sports’ JumpTG.

Cathryn will be based at Solihull Arts Complex on Wednesdays until the end of July and can be contacted by email, dancescape@solihull.gov.uk (active from 9 February), or by phone on 0121 704 6747. Cathryn’s other working day will be more flexible in order to attend meetings etc.

Dancescape closure
It’s with great regret that in addition to giving advance warning of lots of exciting opportunities for dance in 2012, we also have to announce the end of Dancescape in August 2012.

Project funding has always been an issue for the long term security and development of Dancescape as an externally funded project, and the Dancescape Management Group have explored a number of different models and options over the last 7 years in order to secure Dancescape’s future with the aspiration of developing Dancescape into an organisation. Therefore, as we have been unable to secure funding for long term sustainability and development, the project will come to an end.

If you have any questions or comments about the end of Dancescape, please contact Cathryn Goodwin initially who will forward them to Dancescape Management Group members.

Dancescape legacy
We’re very proud of Dancescape’s achievements since the project was set up in 2005; especially of the development of a unique ethos and approach to career and professional development for young people, young leaders and emerging and professional artists. Therefore, when Sarah Jassal returns for one month in August it will be to create a Dancescape legacy document that we hope will chart Dancescape’s own journey over the last 7 years, celebrate its key achievements and projects and handover its ethos through a set of case studies, so that anyone working in the sector can benefit from its approach and values.

There will be an event in Autumn 2012 where you will be invited to celebrate Dancescape with Sarah Jassal, Dancescape Management Group members, partners and funders, and take away your copy of the legacy document.

If you would like to contribute to the Dancescape legacy document with your thoughts on how Dancescape has contributed to the dance sector over the past 7 years, or how it has supported your career or involvement in dance, we’d love to hear from you. Please send any contributions or comments to sjassal@solihull.gov.uk.

And finally…..
2012 is set to be an exciting and memorable year for Dancescape, as we see the finale of all our projects and the end of Dancescape itself. Dancescape and Dance Box enews, Facebook pages and blogs will continue to keep the dance community up to date with news and opportunities along with performances, workshops and special events, and all of those opportunities that the 2012 Dancing for the Games climax will bring – plenty of opportunity to keep dancing and make 2012 a memorable year for everyone!

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Sarah Jassal
Sub Regional Dance Development Officer
Solihull MBC

0121 704 6747
sjassal@solihull.gov.uk

Dancescape - developing dance in Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire

2Faced Dance require a General Manager and board members

2Faced Dance require a General Manager and board members

Hereford’s 2Faced Dance is looking for a General Manager. They want an experienced arts manager to manage the company on a full-time basis and develop and lead the company financially and managerially alongside the Artistic Director’s vision and the company’s business plan.
Salary in the region of £27,000 – £30,000k per annum.
To apply send your CV and application form to info@2faceddance.co.uk by 5pm 10 February 2012.

2Faced Dance are also looking for new board members to support the organisation as it moves into a new phase of development and expansion after a successful bid to Arts Council England, to become a National Portfolio Organisation in April 2012.
Board membership positions are voluntary and unpaid.
To apply, send a CV and on-page document on why you want to join the board to info@2faceddance.co.uk before 29 February 2012.

Audition Notice: dancers required for Home

AUDITION NOTICE: Dancers required

Home as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012
2 April – 13 May 2012

Home is a bold, inventive new participatory production that will animate public spaces across Birmingham city centre. Home will be an evolving promenade-style performance event, engaging thousands of people as audiences and participants.
Based on the themes of home, belonging and identity and what it means to each of us, the work will be developed using ideas, inspirations and choreographic material contributed by a 1000 individuals. Shaped by Director, Andy Brunskill, the project will have huge cast taking part, all performing on individual doormats which becomes an individual stage.

International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) is a major biennial festival produced by DanceXchange (dx) in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome. One of the largest dance festivals in the world, IDFB is unique in its diversity and internationalism, programming exceptional dance from across the globe and fostering new collaborations with international choreographers and artists. Animating the city and capturing the imagination, IDFB brings a remarkable line-up of outstanding dance to venues and public spaces across Birmingham and the West Midlands and creates a wealth of engaging participatory activity for people of all ages.

Performer requirements:
Versatile and quirky male and female dancers. This commission takes place in public spaces (indoors and outdoors) so this new production requires performers who are willing to work in a non-traditional theatre environment with experience and confidence. Performers must have a strong technique as well as improvisation and contact skills. Additional skills, such as acting, physical theatre, street performance, playing an instrument or singing would be an advantage and can be used in this work. Candidates must be available for the dates as listed below and be willing to relocate Birmingham for the duration.

Application Deadline: Monday 6 February 2012, 5pm
Audition date: Saturday 18 February 2012, 1100-1600, London
Contract dates: Creation period: 2-20 April 2012 (3 weeks), Birmingham
Performance period: 23 April -13 May (3 weeks), Birmingham
Fees and details: £425 per week, all-inclusive
Accommodation provided from Monday 23 April to Monday 14 May 2012 in the form of a twin room in a self-catering apartment
One return train ticket to Birmingham
To apply: Please send a CV and completed DanceXchange Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form: www.dancexchange.org.uk/about/jobs-at-dx to Gemma Thomas.
Further info: Gemma Thomas, Project Manager, DanceXchange
0121 689 1091 // gemma.thomas@dancexchange.org.uk // www.idfb.co.uk/take-part

International Dance Festival Birmingham takes place in venues and outdoor spaces across Birmingham and the West Midlands from 23 April until 19 May 2012. Follow the festival story at www.idfb.co.uk. Home is part of Dancing for the Games, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands, and is funded by Legacy Trust UK, Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands. It has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme, which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Dance Apprentices opportunity with Motionhouse

Dance Apprentices opportunity with Motionhouse

Motionhouse are looking for dance apprentices to join the company for 15 weeks. If you’re in the early stages of your dance career, this is an extraordinary opportunity to work alongside and be mentored by our Motionhouse dancers. You will create and perform material for The Voyage, a major outdoor spectacle to open the London 2012 Festival in the West Midlands. The London 2012 Festival will span the entire country for 12 weeks, celebrating the Olympics from midsummer’s day 21 June, until 09 September 2012.

Motionhouse will be collaborating with world-renowned aerialists Legs On The Wall from Australia on The Voyage; a vivid, visual and extraordinary performance that will celebrate the courage and imagination that prompts us to embark on journeys in pursuit of our dreams.

Motionhouse are looking for 4 apprentices; this is a paid position for a period of 14 weeks from March until the end of June 2012. You can get further details or apply for the post by downloading an Information Pack from the ‘Work For Motionhouse’ page on our website; www.motionhouse.co.uk or you can contact mezze at info@motionhouse.co.uk.

The deadline for applications is Friday 27 January 2012 and auditions will be held at Motionhouse's studio in Leamington Spa on Saturday 04 and Sunday 05 February 2012.
Please Note: This job is subject to a CRB enhanced disclosure check.

Motionhouse
Spencer Yard
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV31 3SY

tel: +44 (0)1926 887052
fax: +44 (0)1926 316734
www.motionhouse.co.uk

Opportunities with Motionhouse for The Voyage and Quest

The Voyage: An Extraordinary Performance Event Celebrating London 2012


Motionhouse will be creating a major outdoor spectacle performance to open the London 2012 Festival in the West Midlands. The London 2012 Festival will span the entire country for 12 weeks, celebrating the Olympics from midsummer’s day 21 June, until 09 September 2012.

Motionhouse will be collaborating with world-renowned aerialists Legs On The Wall from Australia on The Voyage, a vivid, visual and extraordinary performance that will celebrate the courage and imagination that prompts us to embark on journeys in pursuit of our dreams. An enormous ship will sail into the centre of Victoria Square, Birmingham, docking itself beside the city’s Town Hall from 21 – 24 June 2012. High above the people who gather to look at this marvel, dancers and aerialists appear in the ship’s rigging – the voyage begins. Professional performers will join forces with a huge amateur choir, live musicians and over 140 community performers to transform the Square and tell our story.

In the run up to The Voyage Motionhouse will be running an extraordinary participatory project called Quest which could offer you the chance to be part of The Voyage. From March 2012 they’ll be creating material with 8 groups from across the West Midlands. The groups will then go on to perform in The Voyage. Quest performers include groups from Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), Solihull Youth Dance Company, Stratford College, Nova, Coventry PAS Youth Dance, Playbox Theatre and an Adult Performance Group based in Motionhouse's Spencer Yard studio. If you’re interested and live in the West Midlands there are 3 ways you could get involved which you can read about below!

Quest Performance Group
Motionhouse will create an adult performance group to perform in The Voyage and are looking for enthusiastic and committed people to join. The group will meet weekly to devise material alongside Motionhouse dancers and will then go onto perform in The Voyage. If you have some dance experience this is for you! The group will include dance teachers and students (age 16+), local dancers and anyone who would like to have this amazing opportunity to perform. You will meet weekly for a two and a half hour session at the Motionhouse Studio in Leamington Spa, on Sundays, from March to May. There will then be additional weekend rehearsals in June plus dress rehearsals and the performances themselves, which are Thursday 21 June – Sunday 24 June 2012. If you’d like to register your interest in the Quest Performance Group email: info@motionhouse.co.uk

Dance Apprentices
If you’re in the early stages of your dance career, this is an extraordinary opportunity for you to work alongside and be mentored by Motionhouse dancers. You will create and perform material for The Voyage, assisting in delivering workshops and supporting the creation of community performance elements. Motionhouse are looking for 4 apprentices; this is a paid position for a period of 14weeks from March until the end of June. You can apply via the Motionhouse website by downloading our information pack here. Please note that the deadline for applications is Friday 27 January 2012 and auditions will be held in our studio in Leamington Spa on Saturday 04 and Sunday 05 February 2012.

Motionhouse Masterclasses
Motionhouse will also be holding two masterclasses for professional dancers/performers and dance students/graduates in our studio in Leamington Spa on Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 April 2012. The sessions will be led by our Artistic Director, Kevin Finnan and some of our company dancers; there will be a small charge. You may attend one or both sessions, which will explore the style, content and context of The Voyage. You must register in advance for our masterclasses as places are limited, do this by emailing info@motionhouse.co.uk

For more information about The Voyage or Quest contact Motionhouse on 01926 887 052 or visit www.motionhouse.co.uk

Get involved in Home as part of IDFB 2012

Welcome to Home

Home is a bold, inventive new dance production that will move through the streets of Birmingham city centre as part of IDFB 2012. We are looking for 1000 individuals to contribute towards the creation of, and be involved in, the performances that will take place between 23 April & 13 May 2012.

Click here to find out how you can get involved in Home!

Take Part
You can take part in this ambitious project in a number of ways. By contributing through dance, spoken word or written text, by taking part in a Home workshop and creating a performance to perform live in the city centre, or by attending an Open Day at DanceXchange.
Home can only happen with the help of individuals and communities from the West Midlands and beyond! Make a contribution on home, identity and belonging and be part of this flagship project.

Workshops
We have a team of Home tutors who are busy delivering workshops to community groups in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Workshops are happening now until 16 March 2012 – do you have a group (of any age or ability) who would like to have a workshop? Participants work with a tutor to create their own response to the project that will contribute directly to the final performances.
Click here to read a blog post by one of our workshop tutors, and to book a workshop or to find out more, please email us!

On the Home YouTube channel you can watch all of the contributions we’ve already received, as well as this performance from the IDFB 2012 launch, choreographed by Rosie Kay in just four hours – imagine what you could create!

Every contribution received will be incorporated into the final performances, so send us yours now to be part of Home!

Andy Brunskill - Director of Home
We are excited to announce that Theatre Director, Andy Brunskill, has joined the Home team to create the final performances from the 1000 contributions we aim to receive. Andy is the first of the creative team to come on board and we’re currently looking for an Assistant Director to join us.

In this video Andy explains how individual contributions will be incorporated into the final performance.

Home is part of Dancing for the Games, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands, and is funded by Legacy Trust UK, Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands. It has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme, which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) takes place in venues and outdoor spaces across Birmingham and the West Midlands from 23 April until 19 May 2012. Follow the Festival story at www.idfb.co.uk.

Free dance workshops as part of Dance Sansaar

Join Dance Sansaar on an amazing journey towards London 2012 through FREE Dance Workshops suitable for all

Dance Sansaar, through 'Dancing for the Games', is offering FREE 1hr discovery workshops of 'Lawk Naach' (Punjabi folk dance), which is a mixture of Bhangra and Giddha dance moves, between January and end of March 2012. Please see the e-flyer and video link below for more details about this exciting project which is inspired by London 2012*.

The dance workshops are adaptable for all ages and abilities and are educational, inspiring, team-building and really great fun! The ideal number of participants per workshop is around 25 (this can include staff, support workers, volunteers, friends/family of colleagues/group members/students also) - please still do enquire if you have less than this. If you have more than one group of 25ish members then more than 1 free workshop can be delivered. Half day bookings are available.

There is the option afterwards for participants to perform in an exciting 'once in a lifetime' large scale event in central Birmingham in June 2012 (date tbc) through FREE performance classes taking place April-June!

*The Lawk Naach Project is part of Dancing for the Games, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands, and is funded by Legacy Trust UK, Arts Council England and Advantage West Midlands. It has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Please get in touch via the contact details below if you need any more information or would like to book discovery workshops.

For Lawk Naach Discovery Workshops in Solihull contact:
Becky Pringle
Solihull Lead Dance Artist
Dance Sansaar Lawk Naach Project
Tel: 07717 203 246
Email: beckypringle.ds@gmail.com

For Lawk Naach Discovery Workshops in Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire and other parts of the West Midlands contact:
Dance Sansaar
Tel: 0121 359 1888
Email: info@dancesansaar.com